How long until you can drink normal instead of sipping?

[aprilsleeve 3]

I am 2 days post-op and have only had 12 oz of liquid today. It's a real struggle to get them down. My stomach starts to gurgle. Will that ever go away?

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

In time. I am finally drinking normal now, only about 1/2 cup at a time, though. It took me about 3 months to get to feeling "normal" about drinking. But at least it doesn't feel like a ton of bricks hitting a wall anymore. I had a hiatal hernia repair, which really slowed down the drinking. My NUT suggested water-enhancer drops to help get fluids in, and also using tepid Water, especially first thing in the morning. She also suggested, when your on solid foods, to start by eating a couple of bites of very soft food, to "prime" the tummy, before eating anything hard or crunchy. It all helped, but I think time was the biggest healer. Good luck to you!

[joatsaint 2,814]

I had a slow recovery, and it was about 6 months before I felt comfortable taking a normal swallow. For that 1st month post-op, every tiny swallow caused Frankensleeve to gurgle and growl. It was very difficult training myself to not drink during meals, or only sip enough to wet my tongue. Now it's just a habit.

[aprilsleeve 3]

I also had a hiatal hernia repair and it just seems to be extra hard to get the liquids in because of the tightening in my chest.

[shellyd88 463]

I had a hiatal hernia repair too first few weeks were rough sipping it got better with time I started being able to take bigger sips after a few weeks then nearly normal drinks now can take a few decent gulps but u get full fast and it can be a bit uncomfortable so be careful I'm eight weeks post op

[Miss Mac 6,262]

It took several months before I was comfortable drinking more than an ounce every fifteen minutes. Now, at 15 months I can drink a ten ounce bottle of Water in about a half hour. Concerning the gurgleing: Miss Tummy sounded like a dinosaur fight for a couple of months.