Question:
Is it possible to drink too much water?

I remember reading somewhere that drinking too much water is not good for you either. I am currently drinking about 80 oz a day (7 months post op) and want to drink as much as possible to help with the weight loss and hopefully with my skin. Does anyone know how much is too much? Thanks.    — Karen Q. (posted on December 11, 2001)

December 11, 2001
Yes it is possible to drink too much water. There was a woman who died in my area because she drank too much water. I'm sorry I don't remember all the details.
   — Laura R.

December 11, 2001
It is possible to develop so-called "water intoxication," but it's VERY difficult to do. You would have to drink a lot of water all at once, something on the order of 3 quarts (3/4 gallon) in a few minutes. If I remember correctly, water intoxication is more likely to occur in people who have been sweating heavily (losing electrolytes like sodium and potassium) and drinking a lot of plain water. This disrupts the electrical activity of the heart. You can find a couple of short articles at http://www.webmd.com by typing "water intoxication" in the search field.
   — Kristy S.

December 11, 2001
I am wondering if it would be possible to drink too much water (or any fluid) and stretch your pouch?? I had open RNY. My doc told me 6 oz. of fluid every hour and no more than that. I find that makes it harder for me to keep drinking the water I want to drink...will it hurt me to not measure my water and just keep a bottle near me all the time and sip??
   — Jennifer H.

December 11, 2001
Jennifer, I always kept a water bottle near me. I had it near the bed at night and whenever I'm in a car. I'm never without something to drink. 6 oz in an hour? Doe'snt sound right to me. If you are thirsty, your body is telling you to drink. I'd drink! Don't gulp, but sip water all day. It's good for you to drink small amounts and often. I would drink whenever you are thirsty as long as you are not drinking fast.
   — Danmark

December 11, 2001
I SERIOUSLY doubt you could drink enough water post post op to make yourself ill. Your doing good and I wouldnt worry about it.
   — bob-haller

December 11, 2001
Back when I first joined Nutrisystem (in the good old days, when each center had its own medical doctor and registered nurse on staff), the R.N. told me that to do so required consuming some outrageous amount--I think it was more than eight quarts in a day.
   — CaseyinLA

December 12, 2001
I'm 4 months out and drink almost 4 liters of water a day. I make sure I still get my 70gm protein. 80oz is 2400cc, just under 2 1/2 liters. 1 oz equal 30cc, 1000cc equals a liter. I live in Arizona where we don't have much humidity, we lose moisture when we breathe.(I won't mention summertime water loss.) Anyway, if your thirsty, drink water, just make sure you're not filling up on water and not getting your protein and calories. Yes there's such thing as water intoxication that can kill you but I don't think its very common.
   — Helen B.