Bariatric Pillar #1: Water! (Some rules have changed…)
Bariatric Surgery Coaching
Bariatric Pillars for a strong post-op foundation, Pillar #1: Water
Click here for the first video in this series: the 5 pillars of Bariatric Health!
Some bariatric water rules have changed!
Is that a rule for life?
Can I never have a straw?
Will I ever drink with my meals again?
What’s the deal with carbonation? Is that for real?
In this week’s episode, we are talking all about our first pillar, WATER! Yes…some things have changed. Yeah, but not all of them. (Watch to the end for tips for getting in more!)
I know water is a big deal after bariatric surgery, but why??
Water runs the risk of being such a common recommendation that it loses it’s “impressiveness” as a tool.
“Oh yeah, drink more water. I know that one.”
(Water is important for every human. Although in particular bariatric surgery patients are a higher risk for dehydration, especially in the early months.)
Let’s take it a step deeper and talk about WHY. I know for me, when I’ve gotten behind on water but start to get after it again…I realize on a personal level just how helpful it is.
“Oh wow. My appetite is way more controlled. I feel better. I have more energy!”
We have to remember it on a personal level!
Why is water so important? Because every single cell in our body needs water to function. That’s why so much of the human body is made up as water. Our gardens aren’t the only ones that need frequent watering!
How much water and what counts?
There are a couple ways we can approach this.
The officially official answer to to drink 1 ounce per 1 kilogram of your body weight.
For those of us that use pounds – that means divide your weight be 2.2 and that’s how many ounces of water (or water type beverages) to drink.
If that feels like an overwhelming number, we can take the other approach.
Aim for 64-96 ounces a day. If water is really challenging for you, go after that 64 ounces. If you’re able to reach that but your “official” water needs are higher, then try to get closer to 96 ounces.
64 ounces = 4 bottle waters
96 ounces = 6 bottled waters
If you want to keep doing down the stream…you can read or listen to this blog about water in my 10 Day Habit Refresh Series.
What’s the deal with water and bariatric meals? Is that forever?
I told you there are some rules that have changed, but unfortunately not all of them.
One rule that has changed is drinking before your meals. You can drink up until your first bite of eating, but once you start your meal you do need to avoid drinking.
The primary reason is to keep food in your stomach longer so you get the maximum benefit of hunger control with your surgery. (I deep dive into this inside my Hunger After Bariatric Surgery course.)
Programs differ of course, but typically the recommendation is to wait between 30 and 60 minutes after your meal to resume drinking liquids.
You may need to put a timer on after your meal to REMIND yourself to start hydrating again!
What rules have changed with?
Depending on your clinic and/or when you had bariatric surgery, you might have heard to avoid carbonation and straws.
Surprise!
Those recommendations are now “if tolerated.”
Which means, if a straw helps you drink more water and doesn’t cause discomfort, bloating or belching, then go for it!
Carbonation is different for everyone. Some will be able to open a sparking water and let the initial fizz release, then enjoy it without trouble.
If you have belching, bloating, cramping or it’s suppressing your appetite when it’s meal time then I would back off.
Tips and tricks to drinking more water
Temperatures
Flavors
Water Bottles
Those are the first three areas I would recommend investigating. Which temperature do you drink most of? Do flavors help at certain times of the day but not others? What water bottle do you gravitate to?
When it comes to habit building, try connecting things like filing your water or carrying it with you with things you automatically do in the day.
Example: fill your water bottle(s) for the next day before you turn off the kitchen lights.
Comment below with what works best for YOU to hit water goals after bariatric surgery!
Liquid water flavor such as Mio, or my favorite, Black Cherry Walmart brand! It’s a game changer for me. I take it everywhere in my backpack. I was feeling guilty using it because it does have chemicals in it. Then my nutritionist friend asked me if using it made me drink more water? Yep. Then have at it! When others are drinking soda, I have my flavored water and I don’t feel deprived. ☺️
Great post Steph! Just wanted to add that Stur & TrueLemon are great flavor enhancers that are more natural if anyone is looking for that option :)
I mix 5 calorie Ocean Spray half and half with water. There are so many OS flavors I never get tired of it. There are some other 5 calorie juices that could also work.