Waterholic

[Over it]

Hi, this might sound stupid, but one of my biggest concerns is that I won't be able to stink water after surgery. I drink roughy 4 litres a day. Will I eventually be able to quench my thirst?
Also, am I right in believing this will work for emotional eaters? I'm really rarely hungry and just eat for a interest/ hobby ! My understanding is that you're mind will still say EAT, EAT , but physically I won't be able to?
Cheers
To all who've had surgery you are my heroes and inspiration.

[deangelia]

This is my fear too... I drink A LOT of water now....

[suzn358]

Yes, you will be able to quench your thirst! I had the same concern. When it's hot or when I exercise, or anytime really, there's nothing like a nice cold drink of water. In the beginning you will only be able to sip but as time goes on you will be able to get more satisfying bigger sips. You can't down a whole glass at once though, and probably will never be able to.

[Annade]

This is my big concern for me, too. I drink a huge amount of water and cannot imagine sipping it for the rest of my life! From what I understand- you go back to being able to drink, relativity normally, in time, after surgery. Although, the 'no liquids with meals' rule is a huge difficulty for me. I have even been trying to practice waiting 30 minutes, before or after meals, to drink water and it has been the biggest torture for me! I don't know how you sleevers do it.

[Ann2]

Re your need to drink a lot of water ... no, you can't drink a lot of water immediately post-op. Your initial capacity will be greatly reduced, which is why you have to sip, sip, sip. Gradually, though, your capacity will increase. I'm a little past four months post-op, and I can easily drink 16 ounces of water in half an hour. Some others who are farther out (not sure about all though) report being able to drink all the water they want.

Re your report of being an emotional eater ... the sleeve won't fix your head. At all. It will, however, regulate your ability to overeat at a single sitting, especially in the first months after surgery when your new sleeve is still swollen and healing. As time goes along, your sleeve doesn't so much "stretch" as it heals. I've read that by the time you're 12 months post-op, your sleeve will typically hold 1.6 times the amount it held at 3-4 months post-op.

But -- and I really hope you hear this -- if you are determined to continue to soothe and self-medicate your emotions with food, you can beat the sleeve. You could graze (eat all day long). You could eat lots of "slider foods" (high-carb, highly processed foods) that your sleeve will restrict much less than it restricts protein, veggies, fruits, and high-fiber grains and high-fiber protein foods.

So what's an emotional eater to do? Simple--change your ways. If you can do that on your own, then do it. If you need help to change your ways, find a good counselor to help you find new ways to soothe those feelings that in the past led you to the food trough.

Can you do this? Absolutely. Will it be hard? I don't know--that depends on the power of your old compulsions and the energy you put into identifying and redirecting your compulsions.

And FYI, you don't have to be "mental" to seek counseling, therapy or coaching. Although some of us are.

[Denise Foremam]

I think everyone is different, I can drink 23oz of water in under 30 minuets with no problem if i'm drinking out of a squeeze top, I still have a hard time drinking out of a glass because I tend to take to big of a sip and it hurts. I also used to eat when I was bored or emotional, I don't feel like that much anymore, I don't even have the head hunger I thought I would.

[Toopie2Seater]

Do you have diabetes? Four liters is a large amount of water to consume; it's more than twice the recommended amount per day! I have the opposite problem; I'm just never really thirsty so this a definite concern of mine post-operatively. Congratulations on your decision to undergo WLS! I wish nothing but the best for you. =)

[Over it]

Thanks for all the feedback ,lovely people.
No I don't have diabetes ....yet ... Hopefully never after having surgery and getting healthy!

[bigguy]

I had a lot of tea. I found it nicer as I had an aversion to water for a while after surgery where it tasted like metal. I am ok with it and thats gone away. But I drank lots of tea.