please explain the size difference between a sip and a gulp

Can someone please explain the difference, size wise, between a sip and a gulp?  Everyone and everything says to sip and not gulp water, but no one and nothing says how big a sip is.  I always thought gulping was taking several large swallows at a time before comming up for air, and sipping was one smallish swallow before comming up for air.  But I read somewhere that a sip was the amount of water you could comfortably hold in your mouth at one time without swallowing, and well, I have a HUGE mouth.   I can hold 1/2 cup of water in my mouth comfortably, so that can't be a sip since my surgeon said yesterday he would make my pouch only 1 ounce in size.   I am going to have RNY If that matters. So please, before I have surgey and screw up because i don't understand this simple word, what exactly is a sip??????

After surgery, you will learn that very quickly.  They will give you little med cups that only hold an ounce, and you will start by sipping on those.  If you try and gulp that 1 ounce in one shot, you'll get this awful heartburn feeling, but it will pass as the water goes through.   I don't think you will screw anything up by drinking h20 too fast, but you will be uncomfortable.  So, gulp up those fluids now, and after surgery you will learn how to sip:)  Good luck on this awesome journey! Kathy

it's about an ounce. maybe about half as much as fits in your mouth.  I used to drink warm liquids because I would drink them slower.

Sip=a teaspoon at most, especially early after surgery.

Gulp=as much as you can pour into your mouth and swallow at one time. Currently about three ounces for me.

I would not advocate the approach of whatever you could comfortably hold in your mouth as a sip...Your new anatomy will be far from normal right after surgery.  The best suggestion I can give is what my doc has his patients do.  After surgery, we can drink 1 oz of fluid in 15 minutes.  That is a tiny amount - just like your new pouch - but really helps to prepare yourself (and your new pouch!) for the "feel" of taking in MUCH smaller portions of both liquids and solids.  I personally followed that for several months post surgery.  As time goes on, you will be able (and need) to intake a greater amount of fluid at one time to get your water requirements in while maintaining the water/food timeframe rules.  I do know many support the idea that the pouch is a funnel so liquids slide straight through.  And I understand that.  But in the beginning immediately after surgery, I think it's really important to stick all the guidelines in place until you develop your "new" habits.  And remember that you cannot always rely on your pouch to guide you with feeling full (for liquids or solids) immediately post op as your nerves are still healing.  

Trust me, you'll find out fast the difference.

When your mouth is closed your tongue fits against the roof of your mouth. When you open your mouth to take in fluids you move your jaw downward to make room for the fluid. Once you move your jaw you are moving into gulp territory.  A sip does not change the shape of your mouth. Your tongue may move to help facilitate swallowing but you should not have to move your jaw or change the shape of your mouth inside in order to take in fluids.  Also you can think about kissig the cup. When you put the cup to your lips instead of smiling motion which draws your mouth open from the sides making a larger gap you pucker your lips and that makes a much smaller opening.  Good Luck. And trust me one bad gulp and you'll know!

ah, but my mouth is so huge that my tounge does not touch the roof of my mouth when my mouth is closed, and my teeth are touching.  It is great when i have to go to the dentist, Lots of room for him to work and my jaws don't get tired from being open too far for too long, but not so great for figuring stuff like this out.   I do like your idea that if you have to move your jaw it's a gulp, not a sip, and the kissing motion idea  Those both help.

Stop worrying about it - as others have said - it will be a trickle in the early days postop - and after the first sip you take - you will then know how fast and at what volume you can drink. Don't overthink things - you will be fine. Susan

Thank you all so much for you replies. I am trying to get in the habit of sipping now, so i will not have to think about it later.  Change as many habits as i can pre-op then there is less to change all at one post op ya know?  Maybe I am just obsessing over small things, could be because the semester is over and i don't have school work to obsess over   i will try to chill!!!!!!