Question:
I READ IN THE POUCH RULES FOR DUMMIES, THAT YOU CAN

DRINK A LOT OF WATER AT ONCE (I THINK IT WAS CALLED WATER LOADING) AND THAT WOULD HELP WITH HUNGER. MY QUESTION IS, CAN DRINKING A LOT OF WATER AT ONCE STRETCH YOUR POUCH? I'M ALMOST 6 WKS POST OP AND I CAN DRINK AT LEAST FOUR DRINKS AT A TIME. IS THIS TO MUCH?    — sandy V. (posted on March 27, 2003)

March 27, 2003
I too read that somewhere and was wondering the same thing. I was told to sip, sip, sip....but there are times I can drink a lot at one time. What is the rule???? Thanks.
   — Sandra M.

March 27, 2003
You must check with YOUR surgeon &/or nutritionist, not all doctors agree with the "pouch rules" or with water loading.
   — Linda 1.

March 27, 2003
Sandy, Good question, I'm 10 months post op and have been following the "Rules for Dummies" from the 6th month on... And you're totally right about the water, I can drink so much of it, it's unreal, sometime at certain times of the day I easily drink 16 ounces, (That's a small bottle of Sparklets) but gosh ! Should I be really able to do it ? My husband has to remind me that since I hadn't eaten for 2 hours (Which I hold true too) that the pouch is empty and that water will just flow threw it, sort of like a funnel and putting water threw it, it'll go threw almost as fast as putting it in....... So needless to say I get in more then 80-100 ounces of water a day, the skin looks great, no pimples ! But I'm really wondering will this in the long run stretch my pouch as well ? Hope someone gives some insite. Post op 10 months down 127 pounds, about 20 pounds till goal !
   — tannedtigress

March 27, 2003
My surgeon said that fluids just go right through, so can't stretch the pouch, unless it is carbonated. (He does believe carbonation can stretch our pouch- not everyone does- so who knows) That is exactly the reason why we are not supposed to waste our calories on caloric drinks, b/c they have no nutritional value, and go right through. I've been drinking a ton of water, atleast 80-100oz a day (not including protein drinks) and at 10months out I can still only eat 3-4oz at a time (the most!) So it hasn't stretched my pouch- i wouldn't worry about it. Keep drinking alot- that is great!
   — Lezlie Y.

March 27, 2003
Well ... define "a lot of water." If I hark back to my competitive beer drinking days ;P, a lot can be an ounce a minute, if it goes on long enough. If you're talking about drinking 24 oz. of water in an hour, or even half an hour, I don't think that's all that much, if you've waited at least 30 minutes (preferrably an hour) after eating, and you're at least 2-3 months out. (It's just really hard for most people to drink a lot in the very beginning.) Also, sometimes drinking does help with hunger, in the sense that we sometimes mistake thirst for hunger. In those situations, drinking water or another beverage will make you realize you were thirsty, not hungry. Other times, it's just a good way to make sure you get your 64 oz. of water in during the day, because for some of us, sipping all day isn't an option (but drinking a lot over the course of an hour, here and there, might be more realistic). Liquids aren't going to stretch your pouch, because they flow right through you.
   — Suzy C.

March 27, 2003
I think the Pouch Rules mentions that water loading should not be done until well after your surgery, several months or a year. <br> Yes, I just looked at it, it says "trying to follow the pouch rules before 6 to 12 months is a waste".
   — thekatinthehat