Question:
Endurance Sports/Water Drinking

In trying to decide which surgery to have I am concerned about drinking water. When doing endurance sports you need to drink a lot of water to keep hydrated. I'm concerned about the sipping that is necessary post-op. Would their be a difference in RNY/BD/Adjustable Band in the ability to intake larger amounts of water?    — Elizabeth A. (posted on April 12, 2001)

April 13, 2001
Elizabeth: I had RNY and I have never had a problem drinking water. I can drink a 16 oz. bottled drink (like a Diet Snapple) in about 5 minutes and it has never taken me longer than ten minutes. I don't 'sip' I drink, but I don't guzzle. Please, don't get the adjustable band surgery, it just doesn't work as well from all I've ever heard about it. I just recently talked to a girl who had it twice and it failed twice and now she's getting an RNY. And, about the drinking with meals. I can drink all the way up to my meal - literally right up to my first bite. Then, I choose to not drink with my meal because liquids can force the food through faster, which allows me to want to eat more food (thus more calories, thus less weight loss). I have found that I CAN drink with my meal. I can also drink after my meal. I usually CHOOSE not to drink after my meal for a while so that I stay satisfied with the amount of food I have just eaten. So, please don't fear the RNY, it is a WONDERFUL surgery!!!!! I am a year post op and 16pounds away from my goal weight with a 26.2 BMI and people are telling me to stop losing weight. I had loads of energy and feel that I eat and drink 'normally.' If people don't know I had the surgery, they cannot tell from how I eat and drink. Best wishes.
   — Cindy H.

April 13, 2001
I had an open RNY 14 months ago and I am now a sports fanatic! I started golfing, playing tennis, rollerblading, jogging, and playing soccer. I can drink like Cindy H., BUT I couldn't right away post op. It takes time to get to that point- at least it did for me. I love water and can slug it down pretty fast in the middle of a soccer game. I also can drink up to dinner time, but choose not to after so my food can stay in my pouch longer and I am full. Good Luck!
   — M B.