sooooo Thirsty...

I'm having a hard time getting my fluids in... I carry my bottle w/me everywhere, I just guess I'm so scared of the Dumping, I'm not sure how much or how fast I CAN drink... LOVE LOVE LOVE water, and I'm thirsty all day, but no matter how much sipping I do, I'm not getting it ALL down... I take tinee tiny sips... any tricks.. I had surgery Monday, and yesterday i couldn't even push the wal-mart cart around.. I had zero energy.. lol.. also with all the SLOW sipping.. the protein shake makes me nauseous about 1/2 way through.. I know I can't chug it... though it would be NICE...

I was told by my surgeon, that I could sip water as much as comfortable by a week out.  The shake was supposed to take me 40-60 minutes to finish.  Do what you can.  Your pouch will let you know what is right.  Try different temperatures of fluids to see what the pouch prefers.  Mine likes room temp fluids best.  The energy level will improve as your nutrition and fluids improve.  I couldn't push the cart either at a week out, gets close to weight limit quickly if I so any adding of things to the cart.

The dumping shouldn't happen unless you eat hight carb, high fat foods.  Best of luck getting to know your new pouch.  Hugs, Kathy

You could also try different flavor protein drinks, or at the least hold your nose while drinking it so you can't taste it.

I know for me I put Skim Plus + 2 ice cubes and mix well.

Good Luck,

Kevin

I am 6 weeks out.  i am still struggling.  you need to find a system that workks for u.  Water and other non or low calorie fluids are not going to make u dump.  The goal is to sip sip sip. I find I am able to take swigs without any dificulty.
good luck.

a few words of advice to you.. just suggestions of course. Try splitting up the protein drink into 2 or 3 different "sessions" of protein intake. This may help eliminate the nausea after 1/2 way through. It is probably more than your pouch can handle, even sipping it. It will get easier.
Next, if your sipping of water is going well for you, you can try to take a little bit bigger sips, but not too big. Also try using sugar free popsicles for extra fluid intake.

As was mentioned above, you will not dump by drinking too much water, you will get a tummy ache tho if you take too big of drinks. Experiment a bit and see what your pouch likes and agrees with, and go from there. If you are feeling very thirsty, I fear you may dehydrate, so try bigger sips, but increase them gradually so you do not go beyond the comfort zone. You should be able to get in at least 4 oz per hour, when you are early out from surgery, and more as time progresses.

If you begin to have headaches, if your skin appears kind of wrinkly where it normally is not, get to the ER for IV fluids. Don't let yourself dehydrate too much.
Please keep us posted on how you are doing!

I also like to complement my fluid intake by have 1 or 2 cups of decaf tea a day.

: )

Kevin

Great idea! I would not have thought to add this, as I am not at all fond of hot teas. Not sure why, just can never seem to get it so I like it, or can even drink it.. BUT I do love cold tea. Plain iced tea, no sweetner, and a slice of lemon..
So thanks for sharing that!

wow... Thanks guys... Hubby also suggested maybe a cup of ice chip if we're watching the television... I had NO problem with those puppies.. lol. sooo many awesome suggestions.. I think I WILL try the tea... never thought that the temp of the fluid would make a diffrence...... so used to cold or iced water, and with being thirsty, is sounded sooooo good.. lol..
good to know about the dumping.. I was told if I fill too fast I would dump, and that kept me from experimenting on the sipping.. I have felt the tummy ACHE.. lol. and thought it was the first step before overflow.. ...
But thank you all. you have givien me a great start to my sunday morning... which I was secretly dreading...

Hope you all have a great one...

  So glad to lend a little assist.  Keep us informed of the success.  Love the smiles on your little ones faces in your avatar.  What a great rooting section.  Enjoy today and everyday.  Hugs, Kathy

Thanks Kathy... lol.. the web cam amazes them.. and they become real hams... The gremlins keep me on my toes... It's just breaking my heart right now when I can't pick them up to console them.. they don't GET it.. when mommy has to PLOP to the ground to givem' hugs.. lol.. but... i keep telling myself focus on the big picture... lol