New to Oregon Board of OH

Hi everyone. I've been a member of OH for some time now... I have a surg date for RNY in Ensenada Mexico on December 10th. I have a PCP here in Vancouver who is going to follow my care. My quesion is... sipping? Any one want to give me a few pointers on how to sip? How much to sip? How often to sip? I dunno why, but I've always been a gulper... I'm worried I'll hurt myself!! Jen in Vancouver WA

Hi Jen and WELCOME!!! I tell ya, drinking post op for me was the hardest.  I started with such small sips, like I would just cover my tongue with water.  That was it.  I found as I increased to bigger sips, that I had to re-learn how to swallow.  I had to teach myself to hold the water in my mouth, then push out the air in my mouth through my nose, then push the water to the back of my throat with my tongue.  This was to help me avoid swallowing air.  In the beginning, I couldn't burp and it would become terribly uncomfortable.  And then I would end up having it come out the other end, and boy I didn't want that! I had water with me constantly.  I would sip every 5 or so minutes in the beginning week.

Jen welcome!  I had duodenal switch (DS) and so I think this par is the same for all new post ops- I also gulp my water etc. but believe me it'l be ok.  You will just "test the waters" in hosp. by getting your tongue wet , then you'll get a small amt. to go down, then that first real swallow etc. It's ok it comes to you naturally and f you ge a bit too much ou'll know wht your limit is. 

Welcome Jen! I was always a chugger.  I bought a sippy cup (they have them for toddlers) at the store and used that at first to help keep me from guzzling.  I am a little over three months out now and find that I can tolerate a couple of swallows in a row now, so I'm getting back to more of my normal way of drinking, but I doubt that I'll ever be able to chug down that big glass of skim milk first thing in the morning, as I always liked to do.  Linda

Well, now I have  a better idea of what to expect. Thanks everyone. I'll be checking in probably several times/week to see how everyone is and to see if I can pick up more interesting facts. OH is sooooo great for support.

 

Jen

Welcome Jen!

I see that you got good advice from the others.  I am pre-op and have been practicing sipping drinks and eating slowly since my info seminar last January.

After surgery, you will be encouraged to sip as much as you can tolerate to avoid getting dehydrated. We also have informal get-togethers in the Portland and Eugene areas about every month or so.  I went to one in Portland about 2 weeks ago and one in Eugene at the end of the same week.  Watch this forum for info.