Our bodies depend on water to survive and drinking enough every day should be a top priority.
However, if you have recently undergone a bariatric procedure, such as the gastric band, staying hydrated is particularly important.
Following a bariatric procedure, dehydration is the most common reason patients find themselves back in the hospital.
This is because drinking the recommended 6-8 glasses of water per day can be challenging with a reduced stomach size.
Patients often feel nauseous when they try to drink water, which leads to them putting it off. However, your stomach may be smaller following a gastric band, but your body’s dependence on the water remains the same.
Most bariatric practices encourage patients to drink at least 64 ounces of fluid daily post-surgery.
50% of this fluid should be from water and clear liquids, while the other half can be from full liquids and protein supplements.
Failing to consume enough liquids following your gastric band procedure can lead to dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Sleepiness
- Decrease in urination
- Dark yellow- or amber-coloured urine
- Decreased skin elasticity
- Dry mouth and mucous membranes (lips, gums, nostrils)
- Low blood pressure
Is hydration vital for weight loss after a gastric band procedure?
Along with the symptoms mentioned above, dehydration can seriously impact your ability to lose weight.
Keeping hydrated should be one of your main goals to stay healthy and to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
There are many different ways water can aid weight loss. Here are some of the main ones:
- Water naturally suppresses your appetite – When your stomach is full, you feel less hungry. Water is a great way to fill the space in your stomach. In one study, 50 overweight females drank 500ml (half a litre) of water 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch, and dinner for eight weeks. The women saw a reduction in body weight, body fat, and body mass index.
- Water increases your energy levels – Drinking water increases energy and helps fight fatigue. When you feel fatigued, you’re less likely to exercise or prepare healthy meals for yourself.
- Water increases your metabolism – Drinking water boosts your metabolism by up to 25% for nearly an hour after drinking it. When you drink water, your body uses energy to warm the fluid to body temperature. The more energy expended by your body, the faster your metabolism.
- Water helps remove waste from the body – When your body is dehydrated, you can’t correctly eliminate waste. This waste build-up can make you feel bloated and swollen, adding inches to your waistline.
How do you stay hydrated after a gastric band procedure?
By now, it should be clear just how important staying hydrated after weight loss surgery is to your ability to lose weight and overall health.
Thankfully, there are a number of helpful tips you can take to increase your fluid intake. Here is how to drink more water after your gastric band surgery:
1. Bring a water bottle everywhere.
When you carry a water bottle around, you’ll get into the habit of sipping from it as you go about your day.
It also means you won’t be tempted to impulsively pick up a sugary or carbonated beverage if you get thirsty on the go.
2. Add natural flavouring
If you don’t like the taste of plain water, you can add a dash of flavour with fresh fruit to make it tastier.
It’s helpful to prepare a big jug of the infused water and have it ready to go in the fridge when you need a refill. You could also pick up a water bottle with a built-in infusion basket for keeping hydrated on the go!
3. Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables
Most fruits and vegetables are made up of 80-98% water. Including more fruits and vegetables in your diet is an easy and healthy way to stay hydrated and assist with your weight loss.
Examples of fruit and vegetables with a high water content
- Cucumber
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Apples
- Celery
- Watermelon
- Peaches
- Watercress
- Courgette
4. Drink water before meals
Studies have shown that drinking water before meals means eating less. The water fills a portion of your stomach, so you’ll be able to consume less food before feeling full.
5. Sip water
If you drink or chug water too quickly after your gastric band, it can cause nausea and vomiting. It would help if you aimed to sip water slowly and consistently throughout the day.
Sipping water also keeps your body hydrated for longer and doesn’t cause your kidneys to become overloaded.
6. Set a reminder
If you struggle to remember to drink water throughout the day, it’s a good idea to set a reminder or alarm on your phone or smartwatch.
There are also a number of apps that can help you track your water intake each day, such as aqualert, Hydro Coach, and WaterMinder.
7. Don’t wait until your thirsty
The number one way to beat dehydration is to drink before you feel thirsty. Anytime you feel thirsty, you’re already slightly dehydrated.
Gradually drinking water throughout the day is the best way to avoid dehydration, especially after your gastric band procedure.
We hope this blog has offered you clear insight into the importance of staying hydrated after a gastric band procedure.
If you have any further questions feel free to contact a member of our talented team.
The team at Auralia has years of experience performing bariatric surgery in Ireland and can provide you with the surgery you need to feel more confident about your body.
Book a free consultation today with our leading team of Irish cosmetic surgeons.
