Water helps your body heal, increases energy and even keeps your mind sharp. It’s especially important in promoting maximum weight loss before, during and (long) after your weight loss surgery operation. Your Prime Surgicare bariatric team will provide you with specific instructions on how much and how frequently you should be drinking water.
Following these instructions will prevent you from experiencing dehydration, while also ensuring water consumption doesn’t interfere with other aspects of your post-bariatric diet.
Take small sips and be sure to drink at a consistent pace throughout the day. As you lose weight and become more active, listen to your body and discuss your water consumption guidelines at each post-op office visit with us.
Once you start exercising regularly, your daily water intake will also increase. Immediately following your gastric sleeve, gastric bypass or other bariatric operation, your daily water consumption target will be at its highest, since you’ll temporarily be on a liquid-only diet.
Dr. Sowemimo and his team will provide you with personalized guidelines on how much water you will need during each stage of weight reduction.
Three Things Not to Do When It Comes to Drinking
- Do not gulp your water. After bariatric surgery, large gulps can lead to nausea and vomiting.
- Don’t drink and eat at the same time. Water can take up the limited capacity of your stomach, leaving little room for food. Give yourself 30 minutes before and after eating to consume fluids.
- Steer clear of sugar-laden beverages (this isn’t a replacement for water—ever). Sugary beverages contribute excess calories to your diet and can also cause dumping syndrome after gastric bypass. Avoid all carbonated beverages, also, including seltzers.
Water — Don’t Leave Home Without It
One way to ensure you are hitting the 64-ounce daily goal is to carry a water bottle with you at all times. Keeping your mouth hydrated also helps to stave off bad breath and keeps kidneys emptying optimally.
Dress your water up by adding a few berries or slices of fruit. You can also add a spring of mint or cucumber slices for a ‘spa-like’ drink.
If you want to add more flavors to your water, resist using sugary additives and opt instead for natural solutions like a slice of lemon, lime, orange or cucumber. For more advice on staying hydrated following weight loss surgery, talk with our bariatric dietitian, Lori Skurbe.
If you are ever having difficulty managing your daily fluid needs, reach out to us so we can ensure there are no external medical issues at play.
Prime Surgicare Offers Unmatched Weight Loss Support
Once you’ve made the decision to move forward with bariatric surgery, you’ll soon see firsthand that you have a comprehensive support team at Prime Surgicare helping you reach your weight loss goal as quickly and safely as possible. To learn more, signed up for a free bariatric seminar or webinar, or make an appointment for a private consultation by calling (732) 982-2002.
About Us
Dr. Seun Sowemimo and Dr. Bennet Togbe are board-certified and fellowship-trained, general, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeons in NJ. They specialize in minimally invasive weight loss surgery and general surgery procedures including diverticulitis, gallbladder and hernia conditions. They are the top NJ surgeons at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold serving Monmouth and Ocean counties.
To learn more, visit our YouTube channel or call Prime Surgicare at (732)-982-2002.