Question:
Will I ever be able to gulp water again???
I am one week pre-op. I live in a dry mountain climate, and I like to drink big glasses of ice water. I know that after surgery I can only sip water. . .will there come a time when I can take "normal" swallows of ice water, or even gulp it down??? — Sarah S. (posted on October 23, 2002)
October 23, 2002
Gulp? At over a year post op almost but not quite. Normal swallows are no
trouble.
— bob-haller
October 23, 2002
I'm almost 11 months post-op and have no problems drinking large swallows
of liquids. I've been drinking like this since about 4 or 5 months out.
— Patty_Butler
October 23, 2002
This worried me pre op too. And in fact it drove me nuts post op. You
really have to get used to sipping for a while. I think about 4-5 months
post op I was able to take normal drinks (but not very many in a row!) Now
if I am really thirsty, like after a work out, I am able to chug a few
swallows (probably 3 max) and I am now 6.5 months post op. I remember
being SOOOO thirsty a few weeks post. Just keep on sipping constantly. I
really wasn't prepared for how bad it would hurt to swallow too much water
at a time. Sugar free popsicles really helped to quench thirst because it
was easy not to gulp those (LOL). I remember being so thirsty and eating
several popsicles just to get enough to satisfy my thirst because at the
time I didn't know how to take small enough sips of water! Every swallow
caused pain at first. Practice taking really small sips. Good luck on
your upcoming surgery!!! This is a great tool! And yes you will
eventually be able to drink normally (maybe not gulping quite as much
though). 6.5 months post op Lap RNY down to 150 from 245.
— A. S.
October 23, 2002
My open RNY was 6-20-01. I chug two water bottles while at the gym every
morning. Can gulp about 5-6 consecutive chugs at a time :-)
— Barbara B.
October 23, 2002
Wow! Everyone is so different. Me...I could drink normal from day one, but
I was afraid to. At any rate, I use a straw and always put my water over
ice. I drink it pretty fast. I can polish off a 20 oz glass over ice in
about 5-8 minutes. I never drink anything anymore except water. Well,
once or twice a week I'll drink Cyrstal Light, but I try to avoid it
because of the artificial sweeteners. They make me hungry and cause me to
retain fluid. I suggest tyring the straw thing...don't worry, you'll find
out what works best for you and you'll be fine. Good luck and I hope you
have a speedy recovery.
— Teri D.
October 23, 2002
Well, there are two stories here!! Me, I can gulp with the
best of them!!! I have had no problems at all with my water
or anything else I drink, and that was from the beginning.
On the other hand, my wife (who had the same surgery I did!!)
can only sip. It hurts her a lot when she gulps. As for the
straw, my dr says that is a no no. It causes us to drink too
fast and causes gas. I don't use one, but my wife does. Her
teeth are very sensitive to cold and she only like ice cold
drinks!!!
— OLD RODEO C.
October 23, 2002
I am just over 10 weeks post-op and I can drink normally. I can't really
gulp but I take normal drinks, several at a time. I do use a straw and have
no problems at all. I had to sip for several weeks after surgery..Hang in
there. It does get better!!
— Sharon1964
October 23, 2002
I am almost 8 months post-op and can drink quite a bit of water
on an empty stomach. Imagine a paper cup with a hole poked in the
side the size of a pencil. Pour water in and it is going
to drain fairly fast. Now pour cottage cheese in and
see how fast that drains out. That is basically what is happening
with your pouch. If empty, you should be able to drink quite a bit.
But after a meal, you won't be able to drink much at all. Also
It may take a while for you to heal completely up, so be patient.
— Dell H.
October 23, 2002
Yes, you will. I am 10 months out, and i gulp water all of thetime. Just do
not make the mistake of doing it right after you eatsomthing, or you will
enjoy the water coming up too!! Good Luck to you!
— Vicki L.
October 23, 2002
Hiya Sarah. I had wondered the same thing early on because I too LOVE ice
cold water. I am now almost 5 weeks post-op and can pretty much gulp it
now. Every once in a while it feels a little uncomfortable, but rarely.
Hang in there and take care! (lap RNY 9/20/02- down 46lbs.)
— karmiausnic
October 23, 2002
I am 11 weeks post-op and I was just like you at first, so thirsty and so
scared that I'd never be able to drink water quickly or fast again. I have
been able to drink pretty big sips and quite a bit at a time. Not quite
what it used to be, but close enough.
— Maria S.
October 23, 2002
I am 11 weeks post-op and I was just like you at first, so thirsty and so
scared that I'd never be able to drink water quickly or fast again. I have
been able to drink pretty big sips and quite a bit at a time. Not quite
what it used to be, but close enough.
— Maria S.
October 23, 2002
Aloha! I think we are all a bit nervous about drinking and eating as new
posties...however, as time goes by, you will find what your comfort level
is. I was very careful about the amount of water/liquid I would drink. I
drank slowly. Sipped tiny amounts. THEN one day I think I had forgotten I
had surgery and took a big old swig....and NOTHING HAPPENED!! lol So I
decided, what the heck!! NOW, I can take gulps the same size as I did
before surgery. I think it is just a case of "coming into your
own". I don't take tiny bites.. I simply chew. I don't chew to
death...I just chew a little bit more than I did before surgery. I haven't
had any problems with food getting stuck or anything either like I thought
I would. Don't worry! Give yourself some time to adjust and you will spread
your wings as things come up. Hang in there!! Hugs, Kathie (in
Hawaii..........)
— KathieInHawaii
October 23, 2002
It took me a couple of months but I can dowm a bottle of spring water in
about 3 minutes.
— Linda A.
October 23, 2002
I can't gulp quite yet, but can drink pretty fast at 2.5 mos post-op. The
thing that I wanted to add that might help you out is that I STILL can't
drink from water bottles - somehow air gets in there and it all wants to
come back up. I do best with water from a cup. Any way you drink it - it
will definately get better with time.
— mandajuice
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