Drinking 64 ounces of water a day can be difficult during the first few months after surgery. Don't expect to get the full amount in at first, but this is a good goal. Drink as much as you can between meals, don't stress, you'll get there! 

You want to prevent dehydration, so it's good to get into the habit of drinking fluids. Dehydration can be fatal...

Our goal is to get into a lifetime habit of drinking our required amount of fluid each day. How do you get it all in? It can be hard, especially since you have a tiny tummy and you may not be in the habit of drinking 64 ounces a day.

Here's what helped me...

Develop the habit

I started by drinking as much as I could before breakfast, this would be a good time to get in those multi-vitamins. 

Eating within an hour of waking is recommended to boost your metabolism, so that leaves 30 minutes to drink and 30 minutes to wait before eating. Try sipping a cup of water or hot tea while getting dressed. Think of your new pouch as a tiny funnel. It can only hold so much because not only is it small, but the opening at the bottom is about the size of a dime. Liquids need time to pass through. Little sips don't stress the new little pouch as it heals. 

Next, wait at least thirty minutes after a meal, (at least...least...meaning least, not most), 60 to 90 minutes is best. This will give you a short break from all that drinking.  Resume drinking water or liquids after meals. Try drinking as much as you can between meals. Keep a water bottle handy and sip throughout the day. 

How much is enough?

A good rule of thumb is 64 ounces a day.  They say, (that would be the experts), to calculate the amount you should drink, is divide your weight in half and drink that amount of ounces, but some of us (us...that would have included me) would drown. Besides there's not that much time in a day! Ok...that was a joke...one I used to tell on myself...and yes you can drink too much...so 64 ounces is safe. 

Don't forget to drink up until a little before bedtime. I'm not sure how scientific it is, but walking seems to help flush out that fluid, so get moving. 

Measure and plan

It's a good idea to measure out the amount of water you plan to drink for the day, so you'll know when you have reached your goal. 

You could drink 4 - 16 oz bottles of water, or 2 - 33 oz bottles, maybe fill a 64 oz bottle or pitcher and you're good to go! Again, don't be frustrated if you can't get it all in at first, but the goal is to keep at it until you can. It can be done and you will reap the reward in the end. I find it easier to fill smaller containers or use smaller bottles rather than too large. Smaller portion or bottles can be easier on the eyes and mind as well, it doesn't look overwhelming! Let's say you had 4 - 16 oz bottles. One bottle before lunch, two in the afternoon, and one between dinner and bedtime...see, that wasn't so bad! 

Conclusion with inclusion

I'll conclude by including a tip I learned years ago. If it's hard, start slowly, adding something to it, like ice, or a straw, even a lemon or a cumcumber slice. Try freezing a small portion and adding new flavors. If you find the straw puts too much air in the new tummy, wait a few months. Cold may hurt also, you have to find what works for you. If cold hurts, try warmer water. Warm water works well in the morning for lap-band because warm water relaxes the tummy muscles. Even room temperature is good. 

Also, adding something in the water, for some unknown reason, this helps sooth the tummy of weight loss surgery patients in the beginning stages. Adding tea or lemon may help. There is a former post on the blog that gives ideas for adding ingredients to your water...just search the search bar on the left for "water".  

Why drink so much water?

Getting enough water is important for losing weight, helping your body flush out impurities, fat and toxins. It helps your kidneys and liver work well...we need that liver to metabolize food. Water makes our skin better, we need it to look it's best and shrink along with the rest of us! Drinking water helps keep you full between meals, so if you develop the habit early on, you can tame that appetite when it returns, by filling your tummy with water. There are so many reasons to drink fluids for better health.  So make it a habit...

I'll be seeing less of you next time...yes, we can, we have many more miles to go!