Water Intake After Bariatric Surgery: Bariatric surgery changes your life and your body in big ways. As you recover, you need to drink enough water. This helps your body work well and supports your path to better health.
Why you need to drink enough water after bariatric surgery
Water helps you recover and stay healthy after bariatric surgery. It has an impact on:
- Stop dehydration, which can cause serious health issues
- Help your surgical cuts heal
- Keep your bowels healthy and prevent constipation
- Help your body absorb key nutrients
- Keep your organs working well and your body healthy
Not drinking enough water can harm your recovery and put your weight loss surgery at risk.
How much water should you drink after weight loss surgery?
The amount of water you should drink after weight loss surgery depends on the type of surgery you had, what your body needs, and what your doctor tells you. As a basic guide:
- Gastric Bypass: Try to drink 64-96 ounces (1.9-2.8 litres) of water .
- Gastric Sleeve: Aim to consume 48-80 ounces (1.4-2.4 litres) of water each day.
- Adjustable Gastric Band: Consume 48-80 ounces (1.4-2.4 litres) of water .
Drink small amounts of water throughout the day instead of large quantities at once. This helps avoid discomfort or vomiting. Your doctors will give you specific advice to meet your hydration needs.
Benefits of staying hydrated after bariatric surgery
Drinking enough water after weight loss surgery has many good effects such as:
- Quicker healing of cuts from surgery
- Lower chance of problems like kidney and gallstones
- Better absorption of nutrients and body function
- More energy and clearer thinking
- Healthier-looking skin and hair
- Less risk of being constipated and other stomach issues
When you make sure to drink enough water, you take a big step to recover well and stay healthy for a long time.
Common problems and ways to drink more water after weight loss surgery
Trying to drink more water after weight loss surgery can be hard especially right after your operation. Here are some common roadblocks and tips to get past them:
Problems:
- Getting full fast because your stomach is smaller
- Hard to remember drinking water all day
- Not liking how plain water tastes
- Forgetting to bring a water bottle or find water sources
Tips:
- Drink water in small sips throughout the day
- Use your phone or watch to remind you to drink water often
- Add fresh fruit, herbs, or low-calorie flavors to make water taste better
- Always carry a reusable water bottle and fill it up
- Eat foods with high water content, like watermelon, cucumber, and soups
By tackling these obstacles and putting practical methods into action, you can make hydration a natural part of your post-bariatric life.
How water affects weight loss and helps maintain a healthy weight
Water has a significant impact on your weight loss journey after bariatric surgery. It can:
- Speed up your metabolism and help burn fat
- Curb your appetite and cut down calorie intake
- Stop water retention and bloating
- Help your body get rid of waste and toxins
Keeping yourself hydrated can also help you keep a healthy weight in the long term by controlling your hunger and cravings boosting your overall health, and preventing weight gain.
How much water to drink for different types of bariatric surgeries
The amount of water you should drink may change a bit based on the kind of weight loss surgery you had:
Surgery TypeWater to Drink Each DayGastric Bypass64-96 ounces (1.9-2.8 litres)Gastric Sleeve48-80 ounces (1.4-2.4 litres)Adjustable Gastric Band48-80 ounces (1.4-2.4 litres)
You should listen to what your doctors tell you. They can give you advice that fits your needs and how well you’re getting better.
Ways to drink enough water all day long
Staying hydrated all day can be tough, but these handy tips will help you make it a natural part of your daily life:
- Keep a water bottle handy: Always have a reusable bottle with you and fill it up often.
- Get water reminders: Use your phone, watch, or calendar to ping you to drink water now and then.
- Make your water tasty: Toss in some fruit slices, herbs, or low-cal flavorings to jazz up your water.
- Eat foods with lots of water: Add things like watermelon cucumber, and soups to your meals.
- Drink water around mealtimes: Take sips before you eat, while you’re eating, and after you finish to stay hydrated.
- Stay away from sugary and caffeinated drinks: Don’t consume beverages that can make you dehydrated, like soda, juice, and coffee.
If you make hydration a top concern all day long, you’ll be on track to get healthy again and succeed in the long run.
FAQs about water intake after bariatric surgery
How soon after surgery should I start drinking water?
You can start taking small sips of water within a few hours after your bariatric surgery. Your healthcare team will give you specific instructions on when and how to increase how much water you drink.
What happens if I don’t drink enough water after surgery?
If you don’t stay hydrated enough after bariatric surgery, it can cause serious problems, like dehydration, constipation, kidney stones, and wounds that take longer to heal.
Can I drink other beverages besides water?
Water should be your main drink, but you can also have other low-calorie drinks without bubbles, like plain herbal tea watered-down fruit juices, or low-fat milk. Stay away from drinks with sugar, caffeine, and bubbles.
How can I tell if I’m not drinking enough water?
Not getting enough water can lead to dark pee, headaches feeling tired dizzy spells, and trouble pooping. If you notice these signs, drink more water. If they don’t go away, talk to your doctor.
Can I drink water during meals?
People say it’s best not to gulp down lots of water while eating. This might make you feel uncomfortable or even throw up. Instead, take small sips of water before you eat, while you’re eating, and after you finish your meal.
Drinking enough water plays a key role in bouncing back after weight loss surgery. By making hydration a top priority and using practical tips, you can help your body heal, avoid problems, and lay the groundwork for keeping weight off and staying healthy in the long run. Keep in mind, your doctors and nurses are there to help you through this process. Be open with them, do what they suggest, and make drinking water a regular part of your day. If you stick with it and stay committed, you can reach your health and wellness targets.
For a smooth recovery after your weight loss surgery, think about getting in touch with the skilled folks at Global Medical Care. Their all-round approach to care after surgery can help you deal with the tricky parts of staying hydrated and other key aspects of getting better. Get in touch with them now to find out more about their tailored services and how they can help you reach your health and fitness goals.
