Question:
four days post op-RNY

I am four days post op. I think I am doing very well. I am not on any pain meds and feel really good. The stomach area is tender, swollen and bloated but not unbareable. Can someone tell me how much should I be drinking in what about of time. I drank my 8 oz shake within an hour and I was told that is too fast but no one can tell me how much fluid is acceptable in a certain time period. Please help! I don't want to hurt my pouch.    — Patti ATX (posted on June 20, 2009)

June 19, 2009
My program had me drinking 4 ounces of water or other liquids every hour the first week. They wanted me drinking at least 48 ounces a day which meant sipping almost all day. The second week you are given a little more leeway on the liquids if you can tolerate it I think. I am 18 days post op right now and feeling good.
   — lanasmcknight

June 20, 2009
I am 2 1/2 weeks post op RNY and in the beginning they wanted me to drink 8 oz over a 3 hour period so I bout and 8 oz shaker from GNC and drank 2 oz every hour and it worked out great. I am now down 23 pounds I still use this method with my liquids as I am not on ground food now. Good luck
   — karensaporito

June 20, 2009
In my program we were told the first week we were to try to get in 1 oz. every 15 minutes. That would be 4 oz. per hour. However, liquids will NOT hurt your pouch. They flow right through and protein shakes have a little more density but they're not going to stay in the pouch a whole lot longer than the clear fluids will. Think of the pouch as a funnel. When you get to move on to puree's then you will have density that will stick longer and the same # of ounces will translate to more volume so in fact on puree's you will eat only about 1-2 oz per 1-2 hours because it has "holding power". Your pouch will wake up more as the days pass too. You basically have no sensation in your pouch right now to determine full/empty, that's why it's critical that you measure and later, weigh, your food and liquids and log it all in your food diary so you can later go over it with your surgeon and NUT at follow up. You're fine, keep those liquids flowing.
   — Arkin10

June 21, 2009
I am 3 days post op. Well, my doc said to get in about 1 oz ever 15 minutes and the 1st week was clear liquids. I could take protein liquids, but it had to be a clear liquid. The second week I could have the protein shake.....
   — briana000

June 22, 2009
I was to drink only 4 oz shakes per protein drink meal, which I was allowed ONE protein drink a day. (To finish it in 30-40 minutes the first 8 weeks and 20-25 minutes after the first 8 weeks) And to sip on water inbetween all meals (including the protein shake) all day long...You literally must drink whenever you are not eating just to get in approx 64 oz of water in a 14-16 hour day with at least 3 meals (I was on 6 meals a day) with having to wait 30 mintues before and after eating to drink...(You do the math!It's a tight schedule!) It became a race to the end of the day to get in enough water that my urine was clear...It gets easier! Work your way up and don't push too hard to get in exact number amounts...Just do what feels comfortable...and look for clear urine as a sign you are getting enough fluids rather than trying to drink exactly 64 oz of water!
   — .Anita R.