Question:
Will I ever get over being thirsty

6 days post op.doing well but crave ice water. can only have 30cc every half hr. I am use to drink down a 20 oz soda i know i cant do that,what can I do and will I be able to drink more soon?    — matt C. (posted on April 29, 2002)

April 29, 2002
You will be able to drink more eventually. I wouldn't recommend going back to soda though. I think I was able to take bigger drinks at about 2 - 3 months post-op. I did a lot of ice water too. hang in there and good luck on your journey! ":)
   — Elizabeth D.

April 29, 2002
Hey Matt-I can relate! I asked my dietitian about being so thirsty all the time.. she recommended sucking on ice chips as they help make you feel less dry but don't give you so much fluid.. run it by your doc and see that they think.. I am 7weeks and I can drink 8-9 oz an hr...Hang in there.. it's hard at the beginning but it does get easier!!!
   — Allie A.

April 29, 2002
WEll, you're not imagining your dehydration. That's only 48 oz in 24 hours, IF you wake up and drink all night long. We have them on 30cc every 5 minutes or so (factor in comfort). Dehydration is pretty nasty, does things to your mind, too. You might want to ask about that and be sure you heard it right. 2 oz per hour is NOT going to make you well.
   — vitalady

April 29, 2002
In our post-op instructions it recommends 48 oz. a day. At first it was a chore, but now at 5 months it is much easier, and I always try to push more than 64 oz a day. If you can tolerate more, do so, just take it slow.
   — Cheri M.

April 29, 2002
I was soooo thirsty the first couple weeks. Of course we cant' gulp so it's sip sip sip until I could scream! Also you probably weren't allowed fluids before and right after surgery, and maybe even a bowel prep which would dry you out eve more. Eventually you will rehydrate. Good luck! Becky
   — Becky K.

April 29, 2002
Are you absolutely sure you are only allowed to have such a small amount of water? In the hospital, that was all I was allowed, but once I was sent home I was told to drink all that was comfortable until I got myself up tp at least 48 ounces per day. The only time I am not to drink is for 60 to 90 minutes after a meal. The first thing I do every day is to drink 20 ounces of water! (It takes me about 45 minutes). This starts me off feeling totally hydrated. Then I do my protein, wait ninety minutes and basically sip water or some sugar free/ caffeine free liquid until lunch, then repeat this process until dinner. I never feel thirsty. You will also find that it is easier to drink larger amounts than you can eat. At six months out, I can still only do 1 -2 ounces of a solid food, but liquids go down just fine. It would be wise to question this small amount of water right away. If you get severely dehydrated, you could end up in the hospital on an IV! AND when you are dehydrated, it is very difficult for them to find a vein.
   — Julie S.