Question:
I am only 5 days post-op, I came home yesterday afternoon

I bought a sippy cup, I am wondering if I am drinking enough, I am scared of over-doing it, How much water should I drink out of my cup in say an hour? I am also afraid of eating (weird...lol) I am just paranoid my new tummy will come apart or something. should I fill my sippy cup with the protein drink as well? and how long can it sit in the cup & still be affective????? OH LORD THIS IS OVERWHEMING!!! HEEEEEEELP!!!!!!!! Thanks Denise    — Saxbyd (posted on September 30, 2003)

September 30, 2003
I am 8wks PostOp. When I first got home I found that I NEEDED water. Had to have it constantly. I could not leave the house w/o a bottle. I found that I sipped all day. I discussed my water drinking w/ my surgeon and he did not find it to be a problem as long as I stopped 30 -45 prior to a meal and did not resume until about 45 minutes after eating. By 2-3wks I was getting in my 64oz per day w/o problem. Possibly before that. It still takes me about 30 minutes to consume a protein drink (I DON'T LIKE THEM). I don't believe it goes bad. The powder might settle on the bottom of your glass and it would need to be remixed. Just go slow and follow your Surgeon's PostOp menu and there will be no need to fear eating.
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 30, 2003
I just kept my cup right by me with water and constantly took sips, I don't know how much I drank in an hour though... I do remember I was barely able to drink even say 20oz a day... I'd fill the cup they gave me at the hosptial w/ ice water (it was a 32 oz thermal mug/jug) and I couldn't even finish like I said maybe 20 oz in the whole day... but just take it slow and keep trying... I was also having like a few sips of broth, a couple bites of jello... so I know I got a little more than that in ounce wise... it will get easier and better... just take it slow and you won't over do it... I was adding Procel to my broth and jello (it made the jello a bright milky color but it didn't change the taste, just adds a little protein to it)...
   — MF

September 30, 2003
Thanks for the answers so far, I have been very thirsty but the water has to be ICE cold, another weird thing is I swear I can smell things I haven't smelld before.....lol I am somewhat confused about the whole protein thing so early on so I think I will ring the dietician. Thanks and keep the help comming (lord knows I will need it)
   — Saxbyd

September 30, 2003
Denise- Congratulations on your first days of a new and healthy life. You have every right to be nervous--- all of us experienced fear, trepidation and anxiety as we try to re-acclimate to "normal" eating and drinking. Even now at nearly 12 mos. out and having surpassed my goal, I still get nervous that I may be eating or drinking too much, too quickly. But, I guess that the fear keeps us on track. A few things that might help you as you try to gauge how much to drink: try to keep your sips to about 1 oz. every 10 minutes and use the small medicine cups that show where 1 oz. is until you get used to what 1 oz. will feel like in your mouth. I used to sip the Isopure Zero Carb drinks as they contained a great amount of protein and were refreshing; I couldn't handle the shakes until I was out at least 8 weeks given their density. And remember, as long as you are eating and drinking slowly, and trying to be responsive to discomfort and aches (as well as to feeling "full"), you will in all likelihood avoid doing harm. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

September 30, 2003
I am 7 1/2 weeks post-op, and you are completely normal, we are all afraid of hurting our new tummy. I started out using sippy cups, but watch out, if your sippy cup does not have two holes in it, and you start to drink protein shakes from it, the gas will be real bad. I found out the hard way. If it does not have two holes the air can not get out and even drinking water can cause bad gas, and you do not want to deal with that right now. Yes, it does seem overwhelming, but believe me it does get better everyday.
   — cindy

September 30, 2003
You really need to ask your doctor what he/she wants you to sip within a certain time frame. When I was at the point that you are now I was told to only sip 6 oz of water within an hour. I never used a sippy cup. I just bought plastic throw away shot glasses and I sipped slowly from it. You will do fine.
   — ChristineB