Question:
How long will I have to take little tiny sips?

I am two days out from Lap-Band Surgery. How long will I have to take tiny sips? I am so thirsty and when I try to urinate, very little comes out.    — Cookie1257 (posted on February 5, 2009)

February 5, 2009
you are swollen up right now. you'll be able to swallow more at a time in the days ahead. Huge gulps and chugging are not a good idea from here on out though. :-) COngrats!
   — slimcolagirl

February 5, 2009
You should make an effort to get in as much water as you can. The goal should be around 64 oz. At first it will be difficult, but it gets better with time. Gulping liquids is not a very good idea and you might never be able to do so. The best thing you can do is sip as often as you can. Dehydration is a common cause of Hospital visits right after surgery. You want to avoid that. Good luck.
   — maria09elena

February 5, 2009
I just had my first fill, and am still taking tiny sips. You must keep the water going all day. Keep a water bottle with you at all times so you'll be reminded to drink. As long as your urine isn't dark yellow, you should be fine. You should call your doctor, though, just to be sure.
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 5, 2009
I had trouble peeing for the first few days.The nurse told me your bladder gets numb during surgery and takes awhile to wake up. Fine now.
   — Virginia H.

February 6, 2009
Hi Vonna, Congratulations on making one of the best decisions in your life to take care of you!! The problems with the urination is usually a side effect of the anesthesia. My husband says the same thing after his ear surgery too. You will need to keep sipping just like everyone else has responded but in time, you may find you can sip more. I recommend sucking on crushed ice to help you out during this time. Or make a crushed ice drink you like to keep you sipping. Orange crystal lite with crushed ice is yummy and refreshing. Hang in there. Hugs, Regina
   — Bigwyfan1964

February 7, 2009
If you are not urinating much, you may be a touch dehydrated. I had LapBand a couple of years ago and was never told to take tiny sips, just to drink slowly which I have always done without problem. Your stoma is swollen and needs to heal. Of course you need to do what your surgeon has instructed, but if you can tolerate it and have no pain, I don't see why you couldn't advance a little bit. Wouldn't hurt to call the office and check it out. Remember, if you aren't drinking much, you're not going to pee much. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

February 9, 2009
I would say drink as much as you can as often as you can in small amounts. One week after my Lap-Band surgery I ended up right back in the hospital with severe dehydration. Sip Sip Sip as often as you can, you will be happy you did!
   — jtaormina