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Well Day 4 and I finally got to come home this morning. Not feeling super confident on getting the fluids in. I really did not think it would be this difficult even reading when everyone saying it was. I was drinking 150oz of water a day easily pre-op. It takes me about 2-3 hours to get 3 oz in me. If I drink sips too close together I get a lot of bubbles and it feels so uncomfortable. I still have a lot of pressure inside. I'm not in a ton of pain just uncomfortable. I don't want to end up dehydrated but it is a challenge to get the fluids. I'm working on my 8th oz since 10am when I got home and my 4th oz of protein. I fill three 1oz cups 2 of crystal light and 1 of protein and work on sipping it as fast as I can which is a sip every few mins and about 8 sips per oz.

 

How long did it take all of you to be able to drink enough to stay hydrated? How much were you able to get down right when you got home?

Do your best to get in the liquids and the protein.  Clear soups, like egg drop soup,  are good, as they can give both protein and liquid.  Get in what you can, and each day it will be a little easier.  Tea might work well - I found warmer liquids went down easier.  Within a week, it will get much easier.  For proteins, peanut butters and hummus worked well once I had worked up to that level.  Welcome to the dark side!

Thanks for your post. I can't wait to be in your position. I have my DS in October and learning a lot from posts. But October seems soooooooo long away!
Dee

Sugar free Popsicles and crushed ice were lifesavers right after surgery. They didn't gurgle back up. And because you have to crunch them, the go down slowly. But remember that for every 2 oz of frozen "water", you're actually getting about 1 oz of fluids. But it was still easier to get in fluids with those frozen things. A mouth full of crushed ice was so much better than a tiny sip of water.

Also, try warm and super cold on the water. Even add a tiny splash of flavoring. Sometimes plain water still gurgles up but flavored water doesn't. I can't explain the craziness that is my tummy.

Good luck!

Walmart has super good SF popsicles.  Try not to stress about it, it'll get easier....just concentrate on the fluids this week....every week gets easier, I promise!

Hydration is far more important than protein or vitamins right after surgery.  You do not want to get dehydrated.  Early out I remember looking in the mirror and noticing that my eyes were more pronounced.   I initially thought that I was seeing the effects of weight loss.  As I thought it through a little more, I realized it was a sign of dehydration and I wasnt drinking enough.  

No doubt it is very difficult to drink a lot at this stage.  But you have to.  I was a huge water drinker before my DS as well and assumed I would continue that after my surgery.  Sip, sip, sip.  That, and rest, are the two things you need to focus on.  Oh, and walking too!

Right after surgery I always had lemon in my water. I couldn't stand the taste of plain water. I drank a lot of broth too because warm liquids seemed to go down easier. I could take very little at one time. I had to really concentrate on it for the first couple of weeks. About a month out my stomach had healed enough for me to take a mouthful at a time instead of just sips

At 3.5 months out I still swallow by the mouthful but I spend less time between swallows. It's not like I could chug water before the surgery but it is a lot better than the first month. No problem getting between 70 - 90 oz a day.

Keep working at it. These are the hardest days with your body still healing. I hope you feel better soon.