Question:
Trouble Getting Fluids In.. Help Needed

I went for my nutritional visit yesterday and we were discussing the liquid intake. Here are my doctors guidelines: 8 cups of liquid daily, 1/2 cup per hour. don't drink 30 minutes before or after and take 30-45 minutes for a meal. OK - Logistically speaking, 8 cups at 1/2 cup per hour is 16 hours. Add 4 1/2 hours that you can't drink due to meals, and we are up to 20 1/2 hours a day it will take to get in the fluid. WHEN ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO SLEEP??? When I asked the dietician this, her comment was, "Well just do the best you can." Also, currently I don't drink after 3 pm because then I have to get up during the night, and once I am woke up, I don't go back to sleep for 2-3 hours, sometimes not at all. I certainly won't be able to get all that in before 3. Any ideas? I want to follow instructions, but geez......    — Denise B. (posted on July 23, 2003)

July 23, 2003
not drinking after 3 pm seems unreasonable to me. (perhaps some relaxation exercises or something to help you go back to sleep???) i understand you have to get up to pee, but still you must have the fluids. remember everything you drink counts, popsicles, broth etc, but plain h20 is the best. have you tried a ice shaver, you can eat a whole bowl of shaved ice with some crystal light or watered down juice on it, its almost like a big treat and its just ice! i sitll eat shaved ice (got the little machine for 15.00 years ago) i use some lemon juice and splendra on it, love it, a great treat on a hot night! good luck and drink up!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   — janetc00

July 23, 2003
denise, i know what your going through but believe me it doesnt take 30 -45 mins to eat 2 ozs and wait 1/2 hr after eating to drink i was scared bout that too but someone else told me this and im doing pretty good now..i always have my bottle of drink with me and i sip all day within 1/2 hr of eating...good luck
   — weezel333

July 23, 2003
I remember thinking that because of my dietician's suggested routine that I would spend 6 hours a day trying to get in my food and milk! I told her that I thought that some of the idea behind having surgery was so your life could stop revolving around food. She never did say much. I never did drink the milk. Now at almost six months post-op, I have found that my life revolves around food and drink far more than it ever has in my entire life! Talk about ironic. Anyway, I think you will find that the water and food guidelines are just that...guidelines. I would try to set mini water (non-cal liquid) intake goals each week and try to work up to 64+ ounces. I personally don't stop drinking 1/2 hour before meals, but do often wait 30 to 60 minutes after meals. Also, like a previous poster said, I think you will find that it won't take 30-45 minutes to eat a meal once you get out a ways. Even from the time I was on pureed foods, I had to set a timer just to stretch my 2T. out to 10-15 minutes! And now, I can eat 1/3c. in about 5-10 minutes. I know it seems like a lot right now, but as time goes by you will learn how to work with your new body and it all becomes part of your daily routine...and not a 20 hour one either! Good luck.
   — eaamc