Question:
Fluids??
I cant seem to get my fluids in, I try, I carry a water bottle with me everywhere and I cant seem to make myself drink it - I use to love water and it almost makes me gag. So ive tried the crystal light, sugar free kool aid, ice tea with splenda so many things and its just like I cant drink it. I barely drink at all!!! How much should I be drinking and can anyone help? I was using milk as my crutch. Id say I was drinking about 6-8 cups of milk a day for protein but also because it tasted good to me - but then I had some bowel issues so I backed off... Now not drinkning at all.... Im so confused!! (P.S. Im 4weeks post op RNY) — LauraMarie (posted on November 21, 2008)
November 21, 2008
I am 2 1/2 months post gastric sleeve surgery and I had/have the same
problem. I have to sip such small amounts at a time - and constantly - or
I can't get water down. It is getting better - I am up to 32 oz a day.
The doctor said it is normal - just keep trying and it will improve. He
said for now any fluids I drink count towards my 64 oz fluid intake, but
that eventually that should just be the water/clear liquids that count
towards those 64 oz. So I do drink 8-12 oz of milk with my protein shake,
and sometimes I have another glass of milk during the day. Then I also
have an 8 oz cup of herbal tea in the morning when I get up. I also have a
hard time with plain water - so I use crystal light. If I need more
protein, I may use a protein bullet or a bottle of isopure and add water to
it to make it 32 oz and sip on that all day. It takes a while, but keep
trying. It gets better.
— Wendy M.
November 21, 2008
you really need to drink water, or mix it with something, have you tried
the sugar free hawaiian punch? it comes in 3 flavors, I get mine at
walmarts, tropical, lemon berry squeeze, and grape, the grape tastes good,
but a little too strong for me, there is also a drink called fuze
slenderize, they taste good.
you need the water to help you lose weight, and to keep from getting
dehydrated!! you also need the water to keep your pouch hydrated!! I am 9
months out and I still try to drink liquids everyday, and milk can be
fattening, I stil drink milk in my protein shakes, and sometimes if I eat
some cereal, other than that, I try and avoid milk. but please please
please try to drink water!!!!
— Lisa Koch
November 21, 2008
the artificial sweeteners in some drinks made me gag. But I found nestles
flavored water to be fine for me. Also try broth for fluids, heat up a can
of v-8 in a bowl and put a lil garlic or whatever in it..its a fluid..but
feels like food, fruit juice that is 50% diluted is good too. Best of luck!
Hugs, kim
— gpcmist
November 21, 2008
You should be getting 64 oz of fluids a day. No less. I can't drink plain
water either, and cold drinks give me pouch pain. I drink herbal tea.
Celestial Seasonings makes fruit ones and I love chamomile tea. I use a 32
oz Nalgene bottle which I make up and keep with me. The tea can be
microwaved if it gets too cold, but it's usually gone before that happens.
Try a different temp., that might be your answer. Good Luck!!
— Shirley D.
November 22, 2008
I had RNY 8/28. I used to have the same problem. I still have to make my
self drink fluids which is not me at all but.... HOT TEA I drink coffee
in the am and hot tea (Decaf) all afternoon. there are a million flavors
of tea to choose from. Cold drinks really bother me.
— phyllismmay
November 22, 2008
Fluid intake is IMPORTANT. You need about 64 oz of fluid daily. There is a
woman in one of my support groups who has an "issue with water".
She too complains she can't tolerate plain water. But she uses lemon in her
water, or adds some 100% fruit juices to modify the "taste".
Personally, I don't think water has much taste. Many in support groups like
the "wannabe Crystal Lite" flavors offered at Walmart, and these
are about 1/2 the cost of Crystal Lite. Milk is helpful, but make sure you
use non fat milk. And you can't take milk in a water bottle, due to
spoilage. YOU need to drink fluids. Again, support meetings might offer you
some helpful insight to the RNY post op journey. DAVE
— Dave Chambers
November 22, 2008
I agree with all the tea drinkers. I couldn't stand the thought of
drinking tea a couple years ago until I trie Celestial Seasonings Lemon
Zinger. Now I drink it almost every day. It's caffeine free and I love
it. I also drink a hot apple sicer drink that's sugar free and located in
most store near the tea and coffee. Good luck, hang in there.
— katiecakes
November 22, 2008
Drinking the fluids is like anything else new, it takes time, patience and
diligence to get to your goal of 60 oz daily. I still have to think about
it and do it, even though I have been doing the 60 oz daily for several
years now. I make a "game plan" to fit my schedule and make sure
I have the water available when I need it. For me, that means buying a
case of water every weekend and drinking one 20 oz bottle after I exercise
in the mornings. Then I take one bottle with me to work and drink it
before my lunch. I usually buy a 20 oz bottle after lunch and drink that
before I go home. I sip the water. Every three or four minutes, I take a
swig until it is gone. Sometimes I mix it with Crystal Light, most of the
time I don't. I have noticed that sometimes when I THINK I am hungry, I
drink my water and it was really a thirst signal. Also, my skin is so much
better since I started the water. Hope this helps you.
— cydthekid50
November 22, 2008
I too had fluid intake issues. I tried every drink around and finally
found G2 by the makers of Gatorade. It is a lower sugar version. It has
the good electrolites and the Grape flavor is wonderful. It is very
reasonable in price--8 for 4.79 at the Wally world. Good luck.
— ceecee127
November 22, 2008
Try popsicles or ice slushies (frozen ice cubes made with flavored water in
the blender).
Good luck.
— mrsidknee
November 22, 2008
Love Powerade Zero and Fuze Slenderize drinks. If they taste too strong,
you can dilute with some water. That might be a good idea to get some
water in. Also, SF jello and SF popsicles might a good thing to try as
well. Don't give up.
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
November 23, 2008
I also used to love to drink water before my surgery, then after it tasted
horrible to me. Try all the suggestions, but don't give up on the pure
water. After about 4 months I was able to drink water again, and while the
fluid intake is the primary objective, if you're getting in pure water
you're putting less chemicals into your body. Hang in there!
— dnoreenh
November 23, 2008
I'm 5 weeks out and have had a couple days where I just couldn't do it
either. Plain water makes me feel wretched and I hate the taste (or lack of
taste) of skim milk, but I've always been a fan of herbal tea and the
crystal lite, wyler's, etc. packets for bottled water. Post-op I've found
that I can't tolerate the taste of some but have also found that I like
some I didn't before. So just keep looking for something you can handle and
like, switch up now and then if you need to, but don't give up!
— snickersblk
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