Question:
What do we do when we get thirsty post op?

I see several references and instruction to not drink a lot post-op- especially soda and water-- I hope this isn't a silly question, but what do we do if we really get thirsty? Such as on a very hot day? or after working in the hot sun? Thanks in advance for the answers!!!!!!    — Kewpidoll (posted on January 14, 2003)

January 14, 2003
You <i>are</i> supposed to be drinking lots of water - at least 64 oz a day if not more. You just can't drink a lot at one time. Sip, sip, sip through the day. I've found that it goes down easier (at least for me) if it's really cold - like almost frozen.
   — Toni C.

January 14, 2003
Drinking pop after surgery is not a good idea. The sodium will make you thirsty and the gas is a killer on the new pouch. But it is important to drink water. You just cannot drink large gulping amounts. I used a sports bottle instead of a straw. Limit yourself to several small sips at a steady pace and you can control the thirst, The first day in recovery, ice chips will be your best friend. When I got into a regular room they gave me six small medicine measuring cups. I would fill them and drink one every ten minutes. If you want to get released on time then you have to be able to go to the bathroom. And if you want to get rid of the IV then you need to be getting hydrated some way. Good Luck.
   — Sue A.

January 14, 2003
I'm 8 months out and I can drink water or whatever liquid (usually Crystal Light for me) without sipping. As long as it's not right before or after a meal, I don't have any problem with it. I couldn't do it newly post-op, though.
   — garw

January 14, 2003
I am unsure where you have seen your information. We are not supposed to drink immediately following a meal. We should not drink anything but water and crystal lite, and we should constrantly be drinking since our bodies can become dehydrated much quicker than those who have not had this surgery. If you get thirst, this is an indication that you are dehydrated.
   — twenc

January 14, 2003
Soda is a no-no for me (2 1/2 months post op -82 pounds) I used to drink cases of soda now I had 1 soda post op, I drink water ( I myself drink over 80-100 oz a day. It does suck in the hospital the day of and afer surgery, the day of surgery, they swab your mouth out only, the day after you get 1 oz per hour, the first oz I got I sloshed it down right away, then had to wait another hour for more water, man was that hard. but now I can drink water like it is nothing. the soda is hard to handle post op due to the carbonation(sp?) at least for me, and I can honestly say I dont miss it, I had head hunger and thirst for about a month post op but now I am back to normal (at least as normal as I can be. (LOL) Good Luck Chris Wagner Lap Rny 11/01/02 down 82 pounds
   — Christopher W.

January 14, 2003
Kera, your question is NOT silly!! The only question that IS silly is the question that is NOT ASKED...Simply continue to drink WATER...you'll never get enough of it and your internal organs will thank you for it!~~Yourdivaness Lap RNY 9/3/02 237/188/125 -50
   — yourdivaness

January 15, 2003
Kera, CHUG THAT WATER, BABY :o)....I chug in the summer, I chug when I am working out....Once you are about 2 mos out, you can chug and gulp again. Good luck! Heather (5 mos post-op 8/15 - 305/224/150)
   — heathercross

January 15, 2003
I think your info is a little confused. The doctors do discourage soda post-op and most follow that rule, though there are some that still drink the soda. I used to be a diet Coke lover but 11 months post-op, I've had a total of 2. They make me burp too much and are too sweet. As for water, you should not drink water right before a meal (15 minutes or so) nor drink with the meal, nor after the meal for about 45 minutes. After that, drink LOTs of water as you have to get in at least 64 oz a day, which is not easy for some of us. Water makes urine which is how the fat leaves your body and water is also ultra healthy for all the organs in the body. You should never be thirsty. Thirst means dehydration.
   — Cindy R.