Question:
Does everyone have a hard time drinking water after surgery?

I have noticed in many cases that after surgery, people are having quite a difficult time drinking water whether it be cold or warm. I'm curious as to whether it is a common thing or not. I am no where close to having the surgery yet, but I tend to drink a lot of water and very little of any other kind of refreshments. Will I lose my taste for water afterwards?    — Shoshana K. (posted on May 2, 2002)

May 1, 2002
After surgery (for about 2 months) I could not stand the thought of drinking water, although it was a tad easier when it was warm. The taste was off, as was most foods for me as well. It had gotten better, and now I have no problem with water or anything else...:) good luck Hugs, MJ
   — mjvallee

May 1, 2002
yes. after surgery i had a very hard time drinking water. it wasn't the taste for me as much as the feeling it left in my new tummy. over time, i realized that my new stomach was very swollen. now, i can drink much more water than early post op. i was amazed when i read new post ops drinking 64oz/day; i couldn't do it. i beat myself up with a feather and things got better. good luck to you on your decision.
   — Trofie 9.

May 1, 2002
I have a problem drinking water myself. My Open RNY was done on 3/28/02, and I can drink Crystal Lite and sugar free Country Time lemonade, but I still can't stand the "taste" of water, and it feels awful hitting my new stomach! I'm hoping this changes, but even if it doesn't, Crystal Lite makes some great flavors which helps in getting all my water in for the day!
   — sssuzie1

May 1, 2002
I started drinking softened water as soon as I got home from the hospital. While, I wasn't drinking near the required amount, I found that the softened water didn't cause any pain while digesting. I'm almost 4 weeks post-op now and I'm gradually increasing my water intake everyday. I've read that the hard water is more difficult to digest because it has a harder surface tension, which is what causes the pain when drinking. Also, be careful about buying water from the store. Some of those waters have minerals added, which make it hard. Good luck!!
   — Christine L.

May 1, 2002
The bad taste for water lasted about 2 weeks for me. I would eat a piece of sugar free hard candy while drinking my water to sweeten the taste. Also a piece of lemon squeezed into the water made it better for me too. I am now 10 weeks post op and I dont crave the water as I use to before surgery but you can bet that I still keep a glass at my side constantly to get in those 64oz a day. Best of luck to you when your day for surgery comes.
   — SARose61

May 1, 2002
Hi, I am 6wks post-op RNY. I rarely drank anything but water pre-op and still only drink water post-op. I never had a problem (just can not gulp like I could before). I never leave home without it! ~ Debbie
   — Deborah F.

May 1, 2002
I was having a hard time because of the taste in my mouth from being in ketosis. What a horrible taste that was. Drinking something flavored helped me. Somehow drinking plain ol' water just made that ketosis taste a little stronger. It didn't last too long though and now my water goes everywhere with me.
   — Cheri M.

May 2, 2002
I was a big water drinker preop. Drank it with every meal. But postop I have had problems drinking water since I got off the liquid diet. It is very frustrating. I can drink just about anything else, but plain water is very uncomfortable on my stomach and sometimes causes it to cramp up! It has gotten better, but is still tough. I usually do good to get in 32 oz a day. Still, I am not dehydrated and don't feel bad. And I reached goal in 7-8 mos, water or no. So I guess I can't really complain. Just keep on sippin'!
   — ctyst

May 2, 2002
I had a problems the first 4 or 5 weeks with plain water making me nauseous and just plain yucky. But juices and other liquids didn't bother me at all. From what I know about physiology and chemistry, I think it may have to do plain water not being isotonic that irritates a stomach. It is kind of the same reason that plain water irritates your eyes, but a saline solution (like contact lens solution) doesn't. I found that mineral water didn't bother me as much but now at 8 weeks I am tolerating just plain water a lot better.
   — Dell H.

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