Question:
9 days post op. dr insists clear liquids - dizzy all the time - please help

Please help. I feel like I am going to lose it! My dr insists on clear liquids for 3 weeks - which for me is going to be a total of 23 days. The only thing I can have for calories is broth and juice. I am dizzy 24 hours a day. I can deal with this for another week (I hope I can), but I don't think I can do it another 2 weeks. I just don't know if I can do this . . .    — Lisa W. (posted on November 28, 2002)

November 28, 2002
Have you had Doc check to see if you are low on potassium. Dizziness is a sign of low potassium, which can be serious if left unchecked. Check with your doc.
   — Micheal B.

November 28, 2002
Lisa, I'm in the same boat. My doc requests a full month of liquids only. I am 14 days post op and the dizzyness went away with protein drinks. Try Isopure, it is a clear liquid and carrys 40 grams of protein. I get it at the local health food store but they also carry it at some GNCs. If that doesn't work, call the doc.-- Jennifer
   — Mrs. Rich

November 28, 2002
I was in the same boat and I went to GNC and bought a protein drink called Designer Whey. It looks like gatorade and it is in the refrigerated section. It has 40grams of protein per bottle and no sugar. I mixed it with water and it took the dizziness away.
   — Kelly T.

November 29, 2002
Let your doctor know about the dizziness, don't try to *self-diagnose* anything.
   — yourdivaness

November 29, 2002
I had serious dizziness problems when I was appx 6 days post op - It was horrible. As it turns out, I was dehydrated. I started pushing the fluids and the dizziness went away almost immediately. I was not drinking much because it was so hard - I could only take a little sip at a time. You are probably in the same boat, but it will get easier - I promise. If the increase in water does not help you should give your doctor a call and see what he/she thinks. Good luck to you!!
   — Traci A.

November 29, 2002
Instead of plain broth, I used bouillion cubes. These have a lot of sodium and helped with the dizziness. Try them. (I prefer the beef over the chicken.) Shelley
   — Shelley.

November 29, 2002
Ask your doctor if you can move to full liquids. My surgeon kept us on clear liquids for just a few days and then moved us to full liquids for the next few weeks. By 3 weeks post-op we were on soft foods. During the full liquid stage, the egg drop soup from Chinese restaurants was a life saver for me. Also, try to drink more water if you can. Dizziness is often caused by dehydration-even when you think you are drinking alot, drink more...
   — Cindy R.