Question:
Is it awful not having anything to drink for 48 hours after surgery?

I am having an open roux en-y next month and am worried about not being able to have even a sip of water from Tuesday till Thursday when they scan you. How did others cope with this?    — JULIE B. (posted on April 19, 2003)


April 19, 2003
I did not have a "leak test" or "swallow test". My surgeon checks for leaks with methylene blue dye prior to closing. I was allowed to suck on ice chips on one of those swab sticks the night of my surgery. The NG (naso-gastric) tube was in for the first day or two, so whatever went into my pouch got sucked out anyhow... You are getting plenty hydrated from the IV - in fact, you will probably put on a few pounds in the hospital from the fluids (I put on 6 pounds). As far as coping, you *have* to cope with it until such time that they take the NG tube out (if you have one) and clear you for liquids. Believe me, you'll probably be doped up enough from the pain med that you won't care anyhow...JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -167 lbs)
   — John Rushton

April 19, 2003
You most likely wont want it anyways! I did'nt even take the ice chips they gave me or the water until day 2, but my mouth was so dry and cracked. I suggest taking some chapstick and maybe your own wash cloth to keep moist with cold water for your lips. Don't worry about food and water, it will be the last thing on your mind! Good luck! Open rny 7mo. post-op lost 112#
   — Sandy M.

April 19, 2003
I agree with the previous poster, take some chapstick!! The meds and IV's will help time to go by, but my lips were so chapped that they were peeling. They gave me the swabs and I was constantly rubbing my lips and the inside of my mouth with them but chapstick would have made a huge difference.
   — Peggy B.

April 19, 2003
Well, I'll just add MY two bits here! ;) Trust me, you won't give a darn about MOST things those first two days. You are so medicated. I was given ice water and a sponge type swab to swab my lips and mouth. I'd wake up JUST long enough to do that. I believe they gave me water to SIP on the thrid day. That was nice! They told me NOT to use any lip balm or chapstick that was MEDICATED. It could have a bad reaction in light of all that anesthesia still in my system.
   — Ginger M.

April 19, 2003
Julie, you will not have a problem with this at all! I am 4 weeks post-op. I was not thirsty at all and the moist sponge things took care of all of the moisture I needed in my mouth. The hospital also had this lip balm stuff that took care of dry lips. Honestly, when I got ice chips...it was nice...but I wasn't just dying to have them. YOU WILL BE JUST FINE!
   — jimgarrison

April 19, 2003
Hi~ I had to wait until the 4th morning before I could have *ANYTHING* by mouth. I had Open-RNY with Dr.Aguirre in Ensenada,Mexico and this is what he requires. But let me tell you this was BY FAR the hardest part for me on the 3rd day water was all I could think about, even though I was on an I.V. and getting plenty of fluids, this is *HARD* I never did find an easy way to deal with this except knowing it would get better. Good Luck!
   — latrishanickle

April 19, 2003
i have to agree with everybody else on this one you are usually to medicated to care about drinking but maybe your doctor will let you have ice chips post op mine did on day one but no drinking and the swabs to moisten your mouth and lips are lemon flavored glycirin not to bad either. take care and best of luck to you, kimberly
   — kimberly T.

April 19, 2003
Yeah you are too drugged up the first two days but after that I wanted water so bad I was doing anything to get some. I was bad and cheated and took a tiny sip when they gave me ice chips, several times a day,and then I would just take big guld swish the water around in my mouth and then spit it out that was quite satisfying and the nurses said it was ok, but my lips were severly chapped and peeling when I left the hospital-I bought Carmex and they started to heal in like two three days after I started using it-Best of luck to you with your surgery...Tori
   — TotallyTori

April 19, 2003
I had a leak in my pouch after my surgery and had to have it repaired by another surgery the next day. I couldn't have anything to eat or drink for 5 weeks!!! At the time I thought I was going to die. My biggest thrill was brushing my teeth because I could at least swish some water around in my mouth. All in all it's really not that bad, but may seem so at the time. We always want what we know we can't have.
   — Melinda B.

April 19, 2003
It's not THAT bad. I'll tell you one thing though, you'll WANT to drink the leak test beverage, and then never want to again! lol Don't worry, bring your lip balm.
   — msmaryk

April 19, 2003
I was able to swish water around my mouth immediately.... it was very cold water and really gave me some relief. Best of luck to you..... I had my RNY done 1 month ago and barely remember the uncomfortable parts! -28LBS Teresa
   — teresa M.

April 20, 2003
With a surgery last spring I totally flipped out while coming out of the anesthesia. It was like I was literally dying of thirst and was totally panicked. I know - weird. But anyhow, they coated my mouth with this kind of sticky sweet stuff and it took care of the problem. So even if you do have a problem with it there is definitely things they can do to make you more comfy. Don't worry.
   — Shelly S.

April 21, 2003
Your body is not actually thirsty because you will have an IV for the first few days but your mouth is really dry. I brushed my teath alot and the hospital gave me these lemon flavored swabs that they would keep in the refrigerator. The swabs were very refreshing and got me through pretty well. Please do not be tempted to "sneak" any liquids the first 2 days. I heard of a patient who took a sip of water the first day and had to go back into surgery.
   — Charla K.

April 21, 2003
I had the exact same concern, but surprisingly, it was ok. The day after surgery I was trying to get comfortable and the mint swabs were great. I didn't really want water until the day my surgeon was supposed to give the ok - and he didn't show up until 3:00 that afternoon. Once I knew it was time to start drinking water, then I really wanted it. You'll be fine.
   — [Deactivated Member]




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