Drinking liquids with the sleeve

[Kristen117 20]

Hi there! I am meeting with the surgeon this week about going from the band to the sleeve. But I got to thinking the other day - how does drinking with the sleeve work? With the band it passes through and goes into the "normal" stomach. but when you only have a stomach the size of the banana, how does that work? Does it take it forever to empty out of your stomach? If you wait that hour after you eat before you drink, does it hurt still like it does with the band? Tell me everything!

[katieroybal 183]

For me, it was really tough to drink during the first few weeks. Small sips were really important. Also, I've developed an intolerance for most waters. Most bottled waters make me queezy. I solved that by drinking higher ph Water and that goes down smooooooth.

At 3 months out, it was a lot easier to drink water. At 4 months I can drink about 8 ounces without stopping. I don't think it takes long for the water to clear but my doctor has a 30-20-30 rule. Stop drinking 30 minutes before a meal, no liquid with your meal, take 20 minutes to eat and don't drink until 30 minutes after the meal.

[PAstudent 117]

I'm able to drink normally (not chugging a whole bottle of Water, but also not taking little sips either) and I'm only 2 months out. I'll typically have a couple of mouthfulls or approx. 4 oz. of liquids then wait a minute or so before drinking more. Initially, drinking is difficult due to all of the swelling. As time passes you'll be able to fit more and more liquids in at one time.

[Lannie 135]

At about 3 weeks, I could take normal size drinks. Right now i can drink about 4oz at a time...then in about 5 minutes I can drink more. Really I don't notice any difference from how I drink now from how I was pre-op.

My surgeon also says no drinking 30 minutes before & after eating. The ideas is the liquid makes the food in your stomach into "slush" and will move through your system faster. Now, I've had a few sips while eating if something was spicy or dry - I'm just mindful of how much liquid I consume at that time.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

2 years out I pretty much drink like anyone else that has not had WLS. I can chug 12-16 ounces without taking a breath. I could drink about 8 ounces at one year.

When I had my sleeve I had a live swallow test and and you can pretty much see that liquids instantly start seeping through the valve at the bottom of your stomach.

I only wait 30 minutes before and after meals to drink. I also take sips with meals if I am eating something dry.

[MSinger 348]

I'm 8 weeks out now and I can drink 4-6oz at a time. My surgeon's rules with eating and drinking are that I can drink right up to the minute I start eating, and then no fluids for 30mins after eating. The first few weeks were pretty much the same as anyone else: eat and drink slowly, take small sips and bites, but after about the 4th week I was able to take in more Water at a time.

Right now I have no issues with starting my meals right after I drink, but if I take even a sip of water while there is food in my stomach I feel extremely full and uncomfortable. I occasionally take a tiny sip of water to help a dry piece of food down, but I do that only when necessary. Otherwise, I'm used to it and I don't think they way I eat looks abnormal to anyone around me.

[Kristen117 20]

Hi again! I am 2 days post op and had questions with cramping. When I sip, it will cramp and cramp. Even several minutes later. Is that normal? I havemt even tried Jello or anything elsr because I dont want to get sick! Help!

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[trying4me 56]

Hi again! I am 2 days post op and had questions with cramping. When I sip, it will cramp and cramp. Even several minutes later. Is that normal? I havemt even tried Jello or anything elsr because I dont want to get sick! Help!

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I notice an occasional cramp during drinking. I am 3 days post op. It passes quickly and mostly if I take too big of a sip. I had yogurt today, 1 ounce or medicine cup without symptoms. I am also gassy today, so that may be part of it. Just keep going slowly per recommendations of your surgeon.

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