Question:
How do you get in the amount of water necessary by just little sips?

Hi. I'm 2 weeks post-op (open distal RNY, 5/21/01) and I'm having a hard time with staying hydrated. So far, I'm only getting in about 32oz./day of water alone; not sure what I'm getting from other sources, but let's just say it's only 32oz. Anyway, my urine is STILL amber color. I know I'm not getting in enough water. How do you measure a sip? How can you tell if a sip is too much or too little. I'm worried about streaching my pouch. I'm taking big sips but not as big as a gulp, but really, how can you tell how much is too much? Plus I wait 1/2 hour before & 1/2 hour after a meal for drinking. Is this correct? Also, how do I get out & start walking? I get distracted very easily, so I feel like I have to sit with my water and a clock in fear of becoming dehydrated. Well, I do get distractions already - like if someone calls me and an hour later, darn it, I forgot to drink. So, I probably could get in double the water I'm getting now if not for the distractions. Also, it seems like I need to stay up to drink 24 hours a day in order to get it all in. Is there something I'm not doing right here? Any tips on getting all your water in? How exactly do you sip? I know that sounds dumb.    — lalasmommy (posted on June 4, 2001)

June 4, 2001
One way I have found to measure your water intake is to fill a bottle maybe half way with water and then freeze it. Use a bottle that you already know how much it holds, like a juice bottle or a empty pop bottle. When you take the frozen water bottle out of the freezer finish filling it up with water. When you finish you will know exactly or at least close to how much you have drank. This way you always have your water with you . If you go out for a walk; take it with you. I always keep some bottled water in the freezer just in case I need something to travel with. This way it is always ready when I am and I know how much I am drinking all day long. I hope this helps some. Old advice from past diet experience. Good Luck!
   — Claudette G.

June 4, 2001
Dear Alexandra, Hi, My name is Laurie and I'm 3 weeks post op. My doctor explained to me that water and juices cannot stretch your pouch that it just runs right through you. As far as getting in enough fluid I'm still struggling with that myself. I find it easier when the drinks are ice cold. And as far as sipping versus gulping trust me youll know if you drank to much, it will come right back up. I hope this helps a little.
   — LAURIE W.

June 4, 2001
For the first couple weeks I sipped out of a 1 oz medicine cup....the kind that comes on children's liquid tylenol? I sipped that to get an idea of what a mouthful felt like. My pouch can take about 2 ozs at a time......so after I grew familiar with the feeling of the amount in my mouth I started sipping from a cup. I keep a cup beside me all day and a water bottle in my purse for when I'm out. I have a pretty blue glass that holds 26 ozs at a time so I go by that during the day. I drink about 4 of them in a day....Drinking helps me between meals if I get cravings cause then I won't eat....water helps the fat the flush out and keeps our skin supple as well as hydrates our body. It's hard at first, but once you know what you can handle, sipping out of a glass won't be so intimidating. Take it slow. HUGS, a friend,
   — Jo C.

June 4, 2001
One of the post-op people in my surgeon's support group said she bought a child's sipper cup and just keeps it full all day...and that the small opening prevents her from taking too much at a time. I've already bought mine in anticipation. Good luck!
   — CaseyinLA

June 5, 2001
Relax! You are not going to stretch your pouch by drinking your water unless you first endure a bunch of BAD pain! You do not need to sip, just drink it. I can drink a 32 oz. Snapple in 10 minutes! I have always been able to do this. Liquid runs in and through the pouch quickly if it doesn't have food in it. I can drink right up to a meal, but I do usually wait 1/2 hour afterwards to drink again. I had open RNY 4/4/00 and have lost almost all of my excess weight and feel great (normal!). So, drink up my friend, quit sipping and watching the clock. You will be fine.
   — Cindy H.

June 5, 2001
I couldn't drink much to begin with either, not to mention water tasted awful for about 6 weeks. I think my doc said to aim for 8 oz. in 20 minutes. It just felt bad, like it was stuck in my throat, I could hardly drink enough to take a pill. I bought a childs sippy cup, and it was great for the first month (plus the painkillers made me uncoordinated, and it stopped me from spilling everywhere). Now at 10 weeks postop today, I can drink a _lot_ more water at one time. And even take those huge old Citrical, though they still feel weird. Do what you can to get in even a tiny bit more water. Catch some in your mouth while you shower, or brush your teeth, every time you wash your hands. The ounces add up. I have long abandoned the sippy cup.
   — M. A. B.

June 5, 2001
I have not had any problem getting enough water. I keep a glass by me all day long infact I might be getting too much but my urine is clear. Once in a while I'll have a Crystal Light, but mostly water. I do not gulp, I just take alot of sips
   — Cathie C.

June 5, 2001
I take water with me everywhere...I never leave the house without a bottled water. At 7 wks post op I don't have to take little sips I just drink normal. I can't gulp down a big glass of water in 30 seconds like I could pre-op though! I've also found that icy cold water sometimes gives me stomach (pouch?) spasms so I try to let it get a little closer to room temp and I don't have any problems.
   — Karen F.