3 days ou****er help!

I was given several great tips for liquids when I was just a few days out. Take a very small sip and let it "drip" down your throat. That helped me avoid that iron ball sensation you're referring to. Also, warm drinks went down easier. For the first few days I allowed myself anything that was liquid that worked for me because it's so important to stay hydrated. One life saver for me was egg nog diluted 50% with milk. Ii only did that for the first week or so because of the sugar. I also did lots of juices, diluted 50% with water and home made chicken broth. I learned to make egg drop soup and that was also something that really settled well for me. 

Good luck and please keep us posted with how you're doing! 

Thank you everyone.  The warm drinks did help quite a bit.

try powerade zero or vitamin water zero.....also sugar free popsicles are a life saver! I could get way more fluid in with those.