Clarification On Drinking...

[Finding Myself 146]

Still on post op clears, wondering how much liquid I should be taking in at a time? As in, how long should it take to drink 8 oz of Water? I'm not hungry but also don't feel full on anything.

[PdxMan 4,292]

You know, everybody is going to have a different level of swelling, so this is a difficult question to answer. I also had a hiatal hernia repair, so swallowing was really difficult early on which just added to the restriction I was feeling.

Some folks have little to no swelling of their stomach and they can drink 4 oz of Water straight away. I was drinking 1 oz every 15 minutes or so ...

With 85% of your stomach removed, your stomach capacity without swelling is going to be around 8 oz, so you will probably never be able to drink that much at a single sitting. Add to it the post-op swelling and, well ... 1 oz every 15 minutes immediately post-op was all I could do. I just kept on doing it trying to increase it as I went.

All we can do it the best we can do. Just keep trying and do what you can.

[Finding Myself 146]

Thanks! What I'm feeling right now is a little discomfort when I do swallow, but that's true for a tiny sip or a bigger sip, and it's not all of the time. So I guess that's just from some of the swelling. I'm not having any problems drinking otherwise, but don't want to over do it.

Anybody know how fast liquids pass thru the sleeve? How do we avoid stretching it when we are on Clear Liquids only?

[boots321 42]

I can take 3 good sups and I'm full as a tick! I also CAN NOT BURP anymore!!!! This really affects me in my opinion! I can [ut down 8oz in about 30 minutes...

[MinaT 669]

I had surgery June 4th with hernia repair and some pretty serious complications and I still use a med cup to drink unless I have to go in public. Each cup is usually 3 sips and I have taken down one ounce in one sip but that's a little uncomfy still. At night when I get up to use restroom I usually sip 3 cups in a row and the 4th (4 ounce) usually I start feeling a little full. I normally just keep sipping all day long. I have no problems getting liquids in.

Unfortunately I'm at an awkward stage where i hate the taste of every Protein shake I have ever loved. Not sure what the problem is, I even hate the taste of my toothpaste right now, but I realize it's a phase. I do not use my beloved magic bullet anymore either because it creates too many gassy bubbles.

Sip, sip sip. Don't worry about trying to get in Proteins. It actually takes quite a while before you become Protein deficient. Your body can live off protein stores for quite a while. Just try not to become dehydrated. For something soothing I drink Decaff Bigelow Peppermint tea with Truvia. I use the med cup still too, though I find it easier to drink this out of a glass now than I do Water. It's good warm and it's soothing on the belly and it tastes good cold too.

[Finding Myself 146]

Boots! That's exactly what I'm wondering.... Is 8 oz in 30 mins too much? Or normal?

[PdxMan 4,292]

Don't worry about stretching the sleeve at this point. It isn't going to happen.

There are lots of great threads on this topic on this board. If you are viewing this on a webpage, go to the upper right corner on a page and there is a box where you can put in a search term. If on a mobile device, the search functionality is under Options. Try using the search term stretch and check out some of the threads.

Just keep sipping and walking. You'll do great. Boots may be swollen more or less than you, so it is difficult to gage.

I don't think there is a 'normal'. If you can do 8 oz in 30 minutes, great! Keep doing it. Liquids pass through your pyloric valve very quickly and is one of the reasons why, when you are on solids, you don't drink when you eat.

[LouiseC 1,031]

O

[Finding Myself 146]

Pdx, thanks! That makes sense. I'm paranoid about every little pain I am feeling I suppose.

[PdxMan 4,292]

Don't worry ... you are totally normal. Crazy like the rest of us!

[Wheetsin 714]

A thin liquid like Water should clear your stomach in a matter of sedconds, up to maybe a minute. Most often about 20 seconds will be the max. An average stomach contracts about every 20 seconds. Water should funnel through for the most part, but you may need a contraction or few to fully clear a large volume.

[iegal 460]

I was timing my drinking to make sure that I got in enough liquid daily. Every 15 minutes during my waking hours I had a shot glass of sugar free gatorade/poweraide that I dribbled down my throat. As I got further out, I learned to take a sip every 15 minutes and then earlier as I went along. Now I don't leave the house without a bottle of Water or something to hydrate me.

You will learn the new you as you go along. Stay strong and keep your self healthy and hydrated.

Congrats on being sleeved! I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

[Finding Myself 146]

Thanks! Wheetsin that is what I thought. So is the little pains I feel when my stomach peristalses Probably just movement over the swelling?

[Wheetsin 714]

Something like that, yes. I'm not sure exactly what, but for a few weeks I could very clearly feel it when my stomach would contract. I would get a fairly sharp pain, but it would only last for a moment. And I would feel it about every 20 seconds like clockwork until whatever in it had moved through. Water hurt the worst, for whatever reason. I gave up on water for a while and just stuck to ice chips. Those were easy-peasy.

[boots321 42]

Boots! That's exactly what I'm wondering.... Is 8 oz in 30 mins too much? Or normal?

To clarify, I'm 2.5 weeks out now and I can do about 8oz in 30 minutes if I try. I REALLY have to work on this! I'm not getting enough liquids in....I know I;m not! It's because I cant burp anymore and they fill me up rather quickly I think! I heard someone say to mix up some crystal light and add the flavorless protien. I'm going to try that because I HATE the shakes now! YUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!