Question:
How soon after surgery are you allowed ice chips or water?
About 9 years ago I had an ectpoic pregnancy that burst my tube and after I woke up from the emergency surgery I was so thirsty, I went nuts on the nurse for water. I begged and pleaded. Finally about 6 hours out of recovery they gave me a little sponge inside a cup with a drop of water to water my gums. For some strange reason, out of the whole ordeal this is what still sticks in my mind and I was wondering how long will I have to wait for water or ice chips. I know this is a dumb question, but believe me, this mild manner person turned into a total monster from the lack of water. — Happy B. (posted on April 18, 2001)
April 18, 2001
I was not allowed anything untill i had my upper gi , which wasn't untill
my third day post opp, but the good news is they will give you the little
sponge right away after surgery to wet your lips and gums.hope this helps:)
— sandra M.
April 18, 2001
I am still pre-op my surgery is on 6-1-01 and my DR. has said already
nothing by mouth until day 4, I am also mild mannered but not with-out
water. I live on water its all I ever drink.Lets hope your DR. has better
news for you
— Kimberly B.
April 18, 2001
Your IV fluid levels should be high and the amount of thrist will hopefully
be diminished because your body has enough fluid. I have been told it is a
few days for my procedure w/ my surgeon before anything is taken via the
mouth. Good luck.
— Dawn R.
April 18, 2001
Well, I sure am glad that I didn't have to wait days for water. When I
woke up in my room, there was a big mug of ice water sitting there waiting
for me. That nice cold water was one of the few things that made my throat
feel better while the NG tube was in...kind of numbed it a little bit. I
will say though, that it was all I could do to sip...I was out like a
light..good drugs. The nurses would note every time they filled it, how
many cc's I had drank, so they could monitor my fluid intake between the IV
and water.
— tlg6056
April 18, 2001
DAYS??? I would've died!! I had my upper GI the morning after surgery and
water and ice chips were given to me after that. They also started me
immediately on my protein shakes. Every doc is different though. GOOD LUCK!
— Rebecca L.
April 18, 2001
Following my lap RNY, I was given ice chips as soon as I got to my room
from the Recovery Room. Clear liquids started the day after surgery, and
full liquids when I went home the second day after surgery. Good luck!
— Diana T.
April 18, 2001
Every doctor is different in their thinking on this. I had surgery on a
Thursday afternoon and didn't get any water until Saturday around noon!
That was really tough. I was allowed to rinse and spit though which helped
keep my mouth moist. Each time I would get up for a walk I would go over to
the sink and rinse my mouth out and then do it again when I returned. It
was good motivation to get up and get moving.
— georgiacarol
April 18, 2001
They gave me ice chips while I was in the recovery room and I tell you they
felt & tasted wonderful!
— Helen C.
April 18, 2001
I'm just 8 days post-op and I wasn't allowed Ice Chips till the day after
surgery. That drove me nuts even though it wasn't that long a wait. My
mouth and lips were so dry I thought I was going to lose my mind. As you
can see..I made it..barely..*L* On the 2nd day following surgery I was
able to have clear liquids..stayed on that till I left for home..then I was
able to have all liquids. Hang in there..they say things get much better.
Even though I'm still waiting....I need real food!!! Good luck with
everything...and take care. *HUGS*
— Sherry B.
April 18, 2001
Sometimes we really do a number on ourselves. I went through this also,
some things my rational mind knew and I practiced telling myself BEFORE
surgery were; The pain will be worse the first day but it will get better
use the morphine, no matter how bad the pain is I must get out of that bed
and walk , I will NOT die of thirst (I don't know anyone who ever did) , no
matter how bad I feel I will NOT take it out on the people around me or the
nurses . Tomorrow will be better , it was. I really practiced this and I
did it. Noone let me die and the next day I was fine. You do have control
over your thoughts if you try real hard. I used to be a miserable patient ,
and I was treated accordingly. Nurses love me now and will do anything for
there very favorite patients! Yea, yea , yea --alright , noone ever died
from brown noseing either!
— Rose A.
April 18, 2001
I know this has nothing to do with your post...I just had to say...ROSE I
love your wit....thanx for making me laugh!! Good Luck All, Karan - Pre-op
— chance2lv
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