It’s hard to argue: the best way to lose weight and keep it off is a combination of bariatric surgery, increased physical activity, and a leaner, healthier diet. In some cases of obesity or morbid obesity, it may be the only way to lose up to 80 percent of unwanted body weight.
Once the weight-loss procedure (a gastric sleeve for example) is finished, the hard work begins. The days of drinking sugary soft drinks, eating pizzas, and shirking vegetables will have to come to an end. But the most important thing you can do for your body is to give it all the water/liquid it needs.
In order to stay hydrated, it’s recommended to drink at least 64 ounces of liquid in the weeks and months after gastric sleeve surgery. However, WeightWise believes 96 to 120 ounces will yield the greatest results in staving off dehydration. However, there are some things you need to know about water and the gastric sleeve procedure post-op fluid intake.
Can Liquids Stretch Your Gastric Sleeve?
Although it’s hard to imagine water causing too many issues after gastric sleeve surgery. After all, you’re used to gulping down water on hot days or after working in the yard. However, that was when your stomach could handle a lot of fluid at one time.
After bariatric surgery, your stomach will be much smaller. The amount of water intake now needs to be carefully monitored to make sure that you don’t put too much stress on the surgery. Drinking too much water too fast can cause discomfort and pain.
In addition to throttling back how much water you drink at one time, you must also be mindful of when you drink the water. After the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or duodenal procedures, your stomach will be much smaller. Which means there’s only so much room for both food and water.
As solid food is introduced into your diet, you will need to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before drinking any liquid, although WeightWise recommends 60 minutes. Before a meal, water can be had up until the first bite. Don’t worry to much about if you’ll be able to stay properly hydrated. After a few weeks, it will become second nature.
Stay On The Path After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
For some weight loss surgery patients, keeping an eye on the diet is the hardest part of the program. The idea of drinking around 10 glasses of water a day seems overwhelming – especially when it took you a week to drink that much water before the surgery. Not to mention no solid foods for two weeks.
We aren’t going to put a pretty bow on it: A complete lifestyle change isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. We will say your body will begin to adapt to the lesser amount of food almost immediately. The body will go through a slight hormonal change that will allow you to feel fuller, faster, and reduce the number of hunger pangs you feel.
The psychological changes will take longer, like drinking 96 ounces of water if you only drank half of that before for example. To make drinking enough water easier, consider carrying a bottle of water with you wherever you go or setting a timer. Need a little extra flavor? Try throwing a lemon slice in the water or mixing in some sugar-free powders such as Crystal Light.
Work With The Weight Loss Professionals
As we said before, expecting to turn around years of unhealthy living at the drop of a hat won’t be easy. That’s why we believe the WeightWise Program will give you the best chance at success. By incorporating the surgery, personal training, and diet plan all under one roof, you’ll always know who to call with any questions.
Although we work with people like you every day, each situation is different. Every client will get a personalized plan based on their current lifestyle, short-term goals, and long-term aspirations. Results may vary depending on the determination of each patient.
But with the network of support we provide, there will always be someone to talk to. Take the time to watch our FREE online seminar to get a better understanding of our program. Then reach out to us to schedule that first consultation. The longer you wait, the longer it will be until you’re living your newer, healthier lifestyle.
I am a male 5ft10 inch weight192 lbs am I qualified for gastric surgery
Hey Tulchan! That would be great question for one of our operating physician. The first step is to watch the free seminar. Then we will get you in to see the surgeon whom will discuss the pros and cons of each surgery, review your health history, and discuss our process to operation. They will also go over any questions/concerns that you may have at this time.
You can watch the seminar online at https://weightwise.com/seminars/#seminar-tabs
No you are not you have to be 40 BMI or 35 BMI with underlying health conditions
I had it done in June with a bmi of 31%. The minimum is 30%. Insurance doesn’t cover it until 40% or 35% with additional issue.
You just have to pay out of pocket.
I had duo switch surgery. I am having problems trying to stay hydrated it feels like. Is there anyway I can stretch my stomach to hold more liquid to satisfy my thirst.
Good morning Jacqueline. From current research, fluids do not stretch out your stomach. Try taking small frequent sips throughout the day and/or setting a timer for every 5-10 minutes to help remind yourself to take a sip. If you are not sipping, that may cause pain, discomfort, belching, and/or hiccupping. Frequent small sips and treating your water like a third arm is key to staying hydrated post-surgery.
317cc a stretched pouch
I’m very concerned about my daughter, she had the sleeve 3 weeks ago, she is drinking lots of water but any food intake goes straight through her, she is paranoid about dehydrating, I’m thinking she consuming too much water and her tummy isn’t handling the food as their isn’t any room for it, could this right, I’ve had the sleeve with no issues so I’m very confused as to what’s going on with her, thank you.
Regards
Heather
Good morning! I am so sorry that your daughter is experiencing this. Diarrhea is common during the first two weeks post-op due to only consuming protein shakes. Is she currently eating any solid foods?
How much liquid can your stomach hold after gastric sleeve surgery?
Hey Michael! This will vary from person to person. At WeightWise, we typically recommend taking small, frequent sips, throughout the day to prevent from drinking to much at one time. If you find yourself belching and/or hiccup after drinking, that is a great indicator that you took to large of drink at that time.
Hi I had the sleeve surgery done on Thur. But I’m not able to hold anything down, and this has been 4 days already. Is this normal? Has anyone else experienced the same situation?
Hey Nicky! I would have contact your dietitian and/or operating surgeon regarding this. That way they can do a full evaluation to and provide the appropriate recommendations.
How are you feeling in 2 weeks post op. Hope you are well
I had my sleeve on Aug 2 2021.
For 4 days, I barely drank anything because of the pain. Today day 5, I have consumed 1-20oz bottle of water & 1 cup of broth all day. The swelling will go away.
I’m so glad I saw this post. I had my gastric sleeve surgery yesterday and I am shocked how much it hurts to even take a little sip of water. I can feel it go down and then major pain hits when it goes farther. So is it likely the swelling?
Hi, Sheryl! That would be a good question to review with your operating surgeon, as they can do a full evaluation and give you more individualized feedback. At WeightWise, we recommend to take small sips of fluids, as sometimes taking too large of a sip may cause discomfort. For example, half of a medicine cup can be a typical sip to try to aim for to prevent discomfort. Trying warm/room temperature liquids may help, as well. If taking sips are still causing pain, it is recommended to contact your surgeon. You can call our front desk as well, and they can set you up with a virtual appointment to visit one of our providers, at 405-359-2475.
I am 6 month post op am I still supposed stop drinking water before and after I eat?
Good Morning Kristen! We just recommend eliminating water when you first start eating and then for a hour after you have finished eating.
Is there any way to break a stall? My weightloss is so slow and i stall maybe for 2 months straight sometimes…i am almost 9 months in and not losing any weight and its very discouraging
Good Morning Violet! Weight loss stalls are very common after surgery. They typically occur around 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year post-op due to your body needing 4-6 weeks to adjust to its new normal before losing more weight. It is basically the body’s natural way of regulating to its new normal before losing more. As long as you continue eating 3 meals a day, drinking your full amount of fluids, and keeping out any occasional carbohydrates, you will start losing again.
Will i ever Drink Liquids the Same after the Gastric Sleeve?? Im 10 Days Post Op? Is there a difference on the Bypass?? I miss my Liquid intake???
Hey Ricky! We recommend to stop drinking the moment you take your first bite of food. This is due to wanting to ensure that the fluids do not take up room were protein could be in your stomach. Also, we recommend waiting one full hour after eating before drinking any fluids to prevent your food from digesting quicker. If it does digest quicker, it can lead to an increase in hunger, snacking, and potential weight gain.
Day 5 post op. Can’t hold anything but water down and even drinking is uncomfortable. Is this normal? When should I expect the pain to stop when sipping water?
Hey Melissa! Try dialing back on your drink sizes to decrease the discomfort when drinking. Think more small frequent sips throughout the day. I would also recommend contacting your operating physician and/or dietitian regarding the discomfort if smaller drinks does not help. That way they can conduct a full evaluation and provide you with recommendations based off of your individual circumstances. Or, you could call our front desk and they will set you up with an appointment to visit with ours 405-359-2475.
I had sleeve gastrectomy on Aug 30th 21. I got discharged from hospital on 4th day. I was on clear liquid for a day post op followed by liquid diet for next 15 days. I take 100ml liquid every two hourly around 6 times. I am sipping water in between as and when it feels little better to drink. I was told to drink 1.5-2 litres water per day but I feel this is too early to be able to put too much pressure on my sore stomach while my incisions are already painful. Is it okay to start increasing water consumption slowly? Currently I am not able to drink more than 500 ml water in a day. Will I get dehydrated too quickly if I don’t drink 1.5-2 litre water in the first week of surgery?
I am doing spirometry and walking religiously but only concern is water consumption and feeling too much pressure on stomach.
Good morning Winnie. We recommend consuming 3 liters of hydrating fluids daily to prevent dehydration, especially in the beginning. Try taking small frequent sips throughout the day and/or setting a timer for every 5-10 minutes to help remind yourself to take a sip. If you are not sipping, that may cause pain, discomfort, belching, and/or hiccupping.
Good morning!
I got operated in December 2019. Gastric sleeve. My weight was 98kg and reduced to 68kg but it keeps on fluctuating between 69&70 since 6mths. I want to reduce 5 more kgs.But now I have started feeling hungry and look for something sweet.
It becomes very difficult in Indian festival days. What should be the calorie intake after 2yrs of gastric sleeve.
Good morning Manisha! I would recommend contacting your operating physician or dietitian regarding this question. That way they can conduct a full evaluation and provide you with recommendations based off of your individual circumstances. You could call our front desk as well, and they will set you up with a virtual appointment to visit with one of our physicians/dietitians if you would like, at 405-359-2475.
Hi, my name is Helen, I had my gastric sleeve surgery Aug 10th, 2022. It’s been a week. I’m having a hard time sticking to the liquid diet for 2wks. I am so hungry. I’m having broth and some puree soups. nothing solid. It seems like every time I take a drink of something it hits hard, and it hurts. I think I had a dumping syndrome. I’m I ever going to be able to have my favorite foods. This is so hard.
Hi, Helen! I would contact your dietitian and operating surgeon as each program follows different diet guidelines and they will be able to do a thorough evaluation of your diet. At WeightWise, our patients follow a strict 2 week liquid diet that consists of hydrated fluids and low carb protein shakes so the healing process is not disrupted. We also emphasize with our patients to take very small sips at this time as taking too large of a sip will cause discomfort. The further out of surgery, the more the diet advances so it will not be liquids forever, just an important step in the healing process! Contact your dietitian/operating surgeon to find out exactly which liquids are appropriate during the 2 week liquid phase. You can call our front desk and they can set you up with a virtual appointment to visit one of our providers, at 405-359-2475.
Hi my name is sheba and I am 1 year post op and have stalled for like 4 mos. I drink every 10-15 mins and I eat my meals and wait 30 mins, what am I doing wrong
Hi, Sheba! I would reach out to your operating surgeon and dietitian as all programs follow different guidelines. Your dietitian will be able to evaluate your diet and give you feedback, but I will say weight stalls are a common part of the weight loss journey. At WeightWise our patients follow specific eating and diet guidelines to ensure they are able to get to their weight loss goal after surgery. You can call our front desk as well, and they can set you up with a virtual appointment to visit one of our providers, at 405-359-2475.