Question:
How many ounces of water should a new post-op try to take in?

I am having surgery November 8 in Birmingham. I am fearful about getting dehydrated. I drink so much now. I am always thirsty, probably because of my diabetes. Will I still be this thirsty after surgery and how will I gt rid of it? I know normal should people drink 8 ounces a day, or many do WLS patients drink a day to stay hydrated?    — Kim L. (posted on October 24, 2002)

October 24, 2002
The suggested amount is 64 oz of water a day. As a new pre-op you will not be able to drink so much, just sips. However, as time passes you can drink more. You will probably notice your diabetes improve substantially post-op too.
   — Cindy R.

October 24, 2002
Kim, drinking water was the hardest thing for me post op. I am now 7 weeks out and it is much easier. You will need to drink as much as you can at first. Eventually you will need at least 64oz, but it will be hard for a while. I highly recomend a snow-cone machine and some sugar free flavors. On some days, this was the only way I could get in any liquid. I suggest HawaiianShavedIce.com. Good Luck!
   — Amber L.

October 24, 2002
Actually, normal people are supposed to drink 8-8oz glasses a day. I rarely do it that way. I get more liquids but usually 32ozs at a time. It's suggested post-ops keep a glass or bottle of water with them all the time to sip from and try to get as much water as they can. The water makes you feel fuller too, cutting down on hunger pains. As time goes by and your pouch stretches you will be able to drink more.
   — dkinson

October 24, 2002
I never measured my water. But for the first 4-6 weeks (ballpark figure) I drank constantly. Sip here, sip there, all the time. I had water right by my bed at night! Everytime I rolled over I drank. I also made sure (and still do) that I have a bottle of something to drink while in the car (walking or whatever). Believe me, even at almost 18 months post op I can get dehydrated VERY EASY. It is a good way to pass out. Especially in the first couple of months when you can't drink as a normal person.
   — Danmark

October 24, 2002
When I was a new post-op I didn't measure liquids. I kept something to drink by my side at all times and sipped all day long. After leaving the hospital I was on full liquids for a week and I drank mostly V8 Juice and a little Crystal Light. I did keep water my the bed at night so if I woke up I could have a sip or two. I am almost 11 months post-op and have done great.
   — Patty_Butler

October 24, 2002
Normal people need a lot more than eight ounces. I believe it is 8-10 cups a day for a normal person. Gastric Bypass is 64 ounces a day. In the beginning that will be very difficult. I used to just always have a bottle of spring water with me and sip on it all day. I don't think I actually got a full 64 ounces but I made a good attempt.
   — Linda A.

October 24, 2002
my dr. sent me home with a bunch of one ounce little medicine cups, just so that i could get an idea of how much water to drink in a swallow. it was a good way to learn not to gulp. my husband kept about 8 of them filled and i tried to drink them every few minutes. i did that for about 1 week. then i switched to a sports water bottle my co-workers bought me. its insulated and keeps the water cold. i don't like to put ice in my water now because i think it tastes funny after it melts (i'm weird, lol). my bottle holds 3 cups, so i know if i refill it 3 times a day, i'm getting enough. right after surgery, it was harder to get that much water in. if i can try to help with anything else, just email me. Good Luck!
   — csibila

October 24, 2002
Kim, Water is probably the most important thing you can do for yourself starting day one. During the first few weeks, it will be just like everyone else says...hard to get all 64 oz. in, but try. I was warned that if you don't keep enough water going down at a steady pace, your stoma and esophagus can shrink and you will need to be dilated. This happened to a friend of mine and several people in my support group. My friend learned after the second trip to be scoped for dilation, to drink that water. My nutritionist recommended that I not substitute anything for water, but once I got all the water in, I could then drink Crystal Light or other sugar free, non-carbonated drinks. I'm so addicted to water that I can't even shop for groceries without my water bottle. I use a straw and ice. I like my water filtered with a Brita pitcher. Just remember to start out taking little sips and as the days go on, you'll not even have to think about how big a sip your taking...also, water cannot stretch your pouch as long as you water 30 minutes after eating and don't drink while eating. I'm 17 mos. post op and the rules have become second nature and a way of life for me so that I don't feel like I'm any different than anyone else, just wiser in the ways I treat my body.
   — Teri D.