Bypass Myth: You can't drink water when you have surgery

One of the central myths of bariatric surgery is that in the postoperative period, you cannot drink water, since it could cause a deformity of the stomach. However, this belief is wrong, since the liquids or nutritious foods recommended by a nutrition specialist do not generate an impact that will deform the stomach after undergoing weight loss surgery.

This belief is born as a result of the drastic change that the body experiences after undergoing bariatric surgery, where the stomach has to go through an adaptation process, and it is likely that the patient experiences a different sensation when eating; however, it is important to remember that it is essential to stay hydrated in our day to day and drink at least 2 liters of water.

Although after surgery, patients may not feel the need to drink water, daily hydration mustn't be neglected, otherwise, dehydration can easily arise, leading to more serious problems such as infections in the bladder and kidneys.

We must emphasize that consuming carbonated or soft drinks can have an unfavorable influence due to their chemical composition, which makes them full of anilines, artificial colors, chemicals that are harmful to the body, preservatives, and excessive amounts of processed and added sugars.

Some recommendations to stay hydrated after bariatric surgery are:

• Consume specialized drinks. After a bariatric surgery operation, the water tends to feel somewhat "heavy", which is why we recommend the use of cold isotonic drinks during the first 2 weeks.
• Liquids should be drunk in small sips and without using a straw, as it can introduce air into the stomach.
• The use of alarms or applications that remind the patient to drink water throughout the day and monitor their progress is recommended.