Interesting finds and a few questions...

I am on week 4 of my journey. I go to the dr on Friday to weigh in and see how things are going on that side of things.

I have found my limits and now KNOW why I don't want to overeat or eat too fast. A couple nights ago, I got SICK, Sick, Sick... I was eating the wrong stuf, tooo much of it and waaay too fast.
I cried. I felt like a total failure. I couldn't believe how easily I lost control... especially this early out. However, I took it as a learning experience. It was bound to happen sooner or later, so now that part is done... for now.

I was told that altered taste buds after surgery was normal.... WHY???? I used to LOVE water, now I can't stand the taste, or lack there of, of it. I've tried every different flavor packet out there, but they all taste blech to me. I even tried a large cup of Ice from SONIC.... yes, that even tasted, blech!! Pretty much everything else, I am okay with tastewise... so far anyways... but WHY does it have to be the one thing I HAVE To have 64 ounces a day of!!! BLECH!!!

Being this early out and over doing it the way I did the other night, I got scared and thought that I had possibly caused a leak.... Does anyone know what this feels like? I haven't had any pain, other than a little discomfort/irritation. And that went away later the next afternoon. NO, I do not want a leak, I wasn't trying for one, but was curious if the pain would be SEVERE or relatively mild?

Anyways, I am kicking up the exercise. Getting my fluids in and have completely LOCKED the Door that Old Angie used to come in that nasty night!

I WILL SUCCEED and I will not do that to myself again.  I am WORTH it...

I must say, whereas I TOTALLY do not regret any of this, it is much harder than I thought it would be. I heard of struggles people were having and part of me believed that it wouldn't happen to me. I thought I was invincible or something. 

Anyways, any insight anyone could provide would be appreciated. All in All I am doing quite terrific, if I do say so myself!

Hi.
I know you'll be more careful so that you don't experience that discomfort again. I know it's no fun. You don't want a leak. Although I've never had a leak, it's my understanding that, due to the pain, you'll know you have one...or at least suspect that you do.
I went through a similar experience, with water. I loved Crystal Light before surgery, but couldn't stand it after surgery. You've tried different flavor packets, but maybe it would help to try a differen****er tempterature. Perhaps hot liquid would taste better--decaffeinated tea or hot flavored water. Some days I did better with room temperature, plain water than ice cold water.
If all else fails, just get stern with yourself. Not getting in your fluids is not an option. Well, I guess it's always an option, but you'll opt for a whole new set of troubles, with disastrous consequences. I totally understand that it feels like a full-time job. Just know that it gets easier.
Keep up the good work. The rest will line up. :)
Blessings,
Mary

What you are experiencing is COMPLETELY normal.  We all have to test our boundaries.  It is a normal part of being human.  Now you know what THAT feels like..you are more likely to not attempt it again.

The liquid thing is VERY IMPORTANT.  I have posted information on dehydration before and what it can do to you.  Even if the outside temperatures are not extreme, you can still dehydrate.  I will post that again shortly so you can print it out.

It is just trial and error with the water vs flavor thing.  I found my savior was sf popsicles..until I got SOOO sick of them.  Peppermint tea - any temperature - is my fall back.  It sooths me, aroma and temperature.  Keep trying, mix your flavors, use less or more of the packets until you find something you can stomach.  Then do it again when you can't anymore. 

I am back on the Soni**** thing.  I have been going through about 3 bags a wee****il last week.  Now with the colder weather probably not as much.  I can't be FROZEN and chew ice too...just doesn't work for me.  And apparently my roommate hates the sound.... (yeah - get over it buddy!)...  

Just hang in there!!!  It is a work in progress.  I am over 3 years out and I still have those days when nothing tastes right and nothing smells right.  You'll figure it out... don't be hard on yourself and just roll with it!

Best of luck!  Ruth

Hang in there!  I struggled at first too.  I was maybe getting in 48 oz of water at first.  I hated the way it tasted.  I found I could do warm liquids like a protien hot chocolate, sugar free popsicles, and sugar free snowcones.  Over time I liked water again and now I drink 60 oz of plain water by lunch time every day without any trouble.  I had to play games with myself at first.  Like driving to work I would focus on sipping my 27 oz water bottle and wouldn't let myself have breakfast until I had it all down.  I wouldn't eat lunch or dinner before finishing 24 oz or so of water.  The more water I have the better I feel and the more full I feel.  Sometimes I feel "hungry" or empty and its really jus****er I need.  Oh and the flavorded stuff helped in the begining big time to get the water in.  I liked the peach tea that had 99% free caffiene.

You shouldnt be doing anything that your surgeon has told you not to do...that includes eatting stuff your new tool is not ready for...if you are pushing it now you will end up doing so later and in fact your effectiveness of the tool would be gone...
now about a leak...NO PAIN...if you have pain that means you have busted a stitch and they wont do nothing about that....except in a few months it will be called a hernia and they will repair that...
dont do any lifting ot straining....u r still to new out to even be thinking of doing that...
as the hernia Queen I CAN TELL u i got my first hernia one month out from straining on the potty....
take it slow and relax you will do fine....
hugs kiddo