Question:
IN THE FEW DAYS AFTER SURGERY WE CAN'T DRINK ANYTHING

BUT CAN WE HAVE ICE CHIPS OR IS THAT THE SAME THING? MY SURGERY IS TOMORROW AND I'M BECOMING VERY NERVOUS. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE SUCH A LONG TIME TO GO WITHOUT A DRINK.    — nikki R. (posted on July 29, 2002)

July 29, 2002
I have NEVER heard of such a thing!!! I had lap. RNY on May 23rd -51lbs. and my Dr. wouldn't remove my I.V untill I was keeping down 32 oz. of water, and this started almost the moment I awoke from surgery! Not to question you, but are you sure those where the instructions???? It sounds crazy to me, unless your having a different type of WLS, and then I really wouldn't know. GOOD LUCK!!! YOU'LL DO GREAT!!!
   — Tambi B.

July 29, 2002
Iam with the other poster, I have never heard of such a thing. I would imagine you would get dehydrated and sick. I would double check and make sure that you are understanding the post op instruction correctly... Good luck to you.......
   — Malynda S.

July 29, 2002
My doctor agrees with yours. I had surgery on a Tuesday and could only have 1 spoonful of ice chips per hour the first day. The next day I was allowed to have an ounce of water at a time. Then they added the liquid diet. I was on an IV the whole time so dehydration was NOT an issue. I was thirsty, but my doctor wants the stomach to have a chance to start healing and make sure there are no leaks. Bring chap stick for your lips since they'll probably get dry and if it gets really bad, you can use a wet washcloth to moisten the inside of your mouth. It most likely won't be that bad.
   — cjabates

July 29, 2002
Nikki, My surgeon's instructions said I would not be started on water until I pass gas through my rectum. This would be an indication that the swelling of the anastamosis (connection between the stomach & small bowel) had diminished & the bowels begin to work again. Now I can't imagine this being *several* days! I'm hoping at the most maybe several hours. My doc will provide me with "lemon glycerin" swabs to help my throat not feel so parched. This part is troublesome to me, too, but try not to stress over it. Remember right after surgery we will be on "good" drugs & hopefully that time will pass very quickly for us. Hugs!
   — Robin W.

July 29, 2002
You will always either have an IV or be able to drink water. Immedeatly after surgery, and for as long as 36 hours, you may not be able to drink or even have ice chips, depending on how you are doing. This is what my surgeon's literature says on the subject, "You will not be able to eat or drink anything, including ice chips, for at least 36 hours. To keep your mouth moist, use moist swabs frequently or swish with water and spit it out. You will recieve fluids and antibiotics through an IV until you are able to drink an adequate quantity of fluids." I have been in this situation before and you really won't be thirsty. The biggest problem is keeping your mouth moist and lips moist. Bring some lip balm. This isn't really something to worry too much about. Good Luck.
   — Amber L.

July 29, 2002
Hi Nikki. My surgeon required a 5 day hospital stay for EVERY patient. I got my leak test on the morning of Day #4 and after that was allowed my first drink/ice chips. Was it hard to go 4 days without drinking? Yes -- I would have killed for some ice chips during Day #1. But this was explained to me in advance and I agreed to it so....we do what we have to do. I had an IV in the entire time so dehydration was not a problem. My throat and mouth got VERY dry but the hospital gave me swabs to help with that. If your surgeon has rules about when and what you can drink, please be prepared to follow them. It's not as hard as you think it will be but you have to be prepared for it. Best of luck on your surgery!
   — Pam S.

July 29, 2002
If your doctor is in fact saying nothing to drink, that most likely includes ice chips too. I find it kind of strange, though. I had my leak test the following morning, (no NG tube either), and I could drink and have ice chips after the test. However, I was re-hospitalized due to inflammation of the stomach caused by Roxicet. For 2 days I was NPO (nil per os ,meaning nothing per mouth). You will be hydrated through your IV. If your mouth becomes dry and sticky, ask for some Toothettes (pink swab-like things on a stick used to clean the mouth) to clean it out, or rub the inside of your mouth with one dipped in ice water. Just make sure you spit. These were wonderful. We use them to clean the mouth of unconscious and bed ridden people, your hospital has them, so don't be afraid to ask for them. Best wishes.
   — Tina B.

July 29, 2002
I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today. When I woke up after surgery I was allowed swabs to moisten my mouth. The next morning I was allowed to gargle a mixture of half water half mouthwash. I still couldn't swallow any liquids, but the mouthwash made me feel so much better! At noon the day after surgery (about 24 hours) I had my leak test. For the first 4 hours I was allowed 1cc of water per hour. After that I was allowed watered down juices, etc. but they made me queesy so I just stuck to the water. As for the person speculating how long it would take to pass gas after surgery: I hope that you can do so within hours, but for me it was days. I had surgery on a Monday and Wednesday night I had the worst gas pains I had ever experienced in my life! But Thursday morning I was tootin' up a storm and I felt like a new woman!
   — Jenny S.

July 29, 2002
I was only allowed ice chips for the first 12-24 hours. It seemed like an eternity, however they have a reason for it. And I certainly did not want to hurt my chances of success. With the IV in you don't get dehydrated.
   — Danmark

July 29, 2002
I was not allowed anything by mouth for 36 hours after my surgery. I was given sponge sticks to moisten and put on my lips and tongue and I was allowed to chew gum. After the 36 hours, I was given water and fruit juices. I stayed on clear liquids til I was released from the hospital on day 5 after surgery. I was then on full liquids for a week.
   — Patty_Butler

July 29, 2002
Surgery monday morning, tueday morning leak test and instant water. I worried so much about dry mouth bvut right after surgery they gave me ice chips in water and a swab. Told not to drink water but swabs kept me comfy.
   — bob-haller

July 29, 2002
Nothing to drink for two days. That was harder than not having food. I had surgery on July 18th, 2002 and couldn't drink until Saturday the 20th. They give you lemon glycerin swabs which aren't too bad but no water no ice chips was tough. Well worth it though.
   — Sherri_H

July 31, 2002
I had surgery on july 17, 2002, and was given ice chips almost immediately. They forgot to tell me to spit them out until a couple of hours later, but everything was fine. After that I would suck on some chips and then spit out the water. I had me leak test the next day, and was allowed an ounce of water every hour for the first four hours. Then it was on to clear liquids. Happy Losing, Marian
   — Marian K.

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