6 days post-op...liquids help!

I had surgery last Thursday and was kept in the hospital an extra 2 days because I couldn't drink as much as was required. They said minimum of 1 litre, and I was doing 1/4 of that. I've been home for a few days and still can't get to where I need to be. I'm taking super small sips and 3 seconds later I get stomach rumbles. I manage to eat 8 bites of jello maybe all day and not drinking much at all. Today I had awful pains and brought me to tears. In the hospital, I tried to drink more and ended up throwing everything up. Has anyone come across this? I just don't know what to do. And everyone keeps yelling at me to drink more, and I physically can't without throwing up everything. Any advice would be appreciated. I do find that I need to sit up straight or even stand when I drink or else the pain is even worse. 

Hey Linsie first congrats on having your surgery.  May I ask which one you had done?  I had RNY and im 5 weeks post op.  I had a hard time getting my fluids in.  One of the things that really helped me was sugar free popcicles and I drank power ade zero.  I dont drink the power ade now because I got sick of it.  I also made lots of ice cubes and crushed them up a bit and would suck on them.  If I always put just a bit in eventually I got better at it.  Dont forget other things are fluid as well.  Like soup and jelly an juice.  I bought sugar free juice and put it in the freezer to partially freeze it and ate it with a spoon.  It will get better.  The main thing I focused on in my first 2 weeks was increasing my fluid in take.  The pain you are having is probably gas.  Good luck and feel free to ask any questions that you may have.  :-)    Val

Thanks Val! You just reminded me that I forgot my home made Popsicles at my dad's lol I stayed there a few days after the hospital. I did have RNY and it's so frustrating with getting fluids in. I just find that I get pain when I drink but if it tastes better and has flavour, I'd probably fight through the pain haha. Thanks so much for the advice!! 

You are very welcome :-)

Flavoured water helps some.  I didn't like cold drinks and drank warm water. I still drink warmer water than normal.

Keep trying to get your liquids in.

Good luck.

Just keep trying, and be willing to experament.  For some liquids have to be ice cold, and for some they need to be warm.  If you use crystal light, dilute it as it can be really sweet (I did double the water).  Just be constant, even if it's one sip every 5 minutes, you'll be amazed how much you can get in that way.  Try low sodium broth as well, sometimes it helps just to have flavor in it.

Cathy

Hey my almost surgery twin...sent you a pm.  :)