This is harder than I thought it would be

That's encouraging. There's something so satisfying about a big cold glass of something when you're really thirsty!

Hang in there! Your Journey has a great start! ... I enjoyed getting out and walking outside, took my mind off the obvious things; Thirsty, Port, Pain, and feeling anxious about the unknown... this will pass... Be proud of yourself!  and get excited for the new life ahead!! one of my first milestones (a long time ago) was being able to sit in a booth again. I is going to get better!!  Congrats to you!

Texas girl

I consider myself a professional level medical patient.  My clinical practice is primarily focused on providing medical education to chronically ill and end of life patients.  I do counseling related to grief and loss associated with medical conditions. I was SOOOOOO prepared before my surgery.  I totally knew all the things, read all the journal articles, did all the internal personal work I knew I needed, read the forums here, had the long talks with my family and friends, and generally was planning to score a perfect 100% as a patient post surgery.

Then reality happened and as it turned out I was completely unprepared for so many things!  I thought I 'knew it all' and quickly realized that that is just a fantasy.  No one can really know what this process is going to mean for them.  Each journey is different.

The things that still take me by surprise are part of the process.  Extra skin?  Whhhhaaa? Weird mind-body self image confusion? But I was so ready, how can this be happening? Feeling sad to see my boobs run away? Finding that I miss feeling warm...ever?  Watching my kids eat cake wistfully? None of that was expected and all of it will be ok.

Now I am happily accepting that this whole thing is indeed a long process of discovery and I am much less stressed now because of that.

Sounds like you are doing great.  As they say, "Trust the process!"

~Elizabeth

2oz is the minimum.  If you can drink more, do so.

I thought if I drank faster, I would damage my pouch. I can easily get in 4 oz in 15 minutes.

Btw,  hi from Fort Morgan, Colorado. My surgery was at Sky Ridge Medical Center, pretty close to you!

Hi 

Liquid won't damage your pouch, it'll just slip through, although, I wouldn't chug until you feel comfortable.  More people go to the ER for dehydration than any other reason.  Drink away if you can!

I thought I was prepared too.  All the reading in the world doesn't prepare you for the reality of it all. Its a bit of trial and error to figure out your new body.  It definitely gets easier everyday, and soon you will be feeling quite "normal" again, and confident about your daily routine.

Wish you well, take it one day at a time, never forgetting to breathe in (hold it for 3 sec)..................and out  ( for 3 sec) !!!!! It worked for me!!!!   LOL

Aww....I would miss big drinks too. Haven't had my surgery yet. Interested to see what you find out about that. I didn't think there was a minimum as long as you weren't chugging, but what do I know, I'm new, lol.

It will get better. Trust me on this.  I am one year out and have lost 140 pounds. It will get better.  Just be patient. 

My doc said liquids do not ruin your pouch and they only tell you to sip to prevent your own discomfort. You can test the waters with liquids and if you can handle larger mouth fulls than sips or more ounces at once, then go ahead. I had my RNY on 3/21 and can pretty much chug a protein shake in 3 huge gulps (hate the taste so nutritionist says if I can plug my nose and and the chugging doesn't bother me, than go for it). I also drink big gulps of water but it has to be room temperature. Too cold bothers my pouch instantly.