Hey all,

7 days post op. I'm having a hard time staying hydrated. When I drink a good amount of Fluid (even sip, sip sip) my stomach becomes distended (I guess I'm distending my pouch) and I get terrible left shoulder pain. I tried slowing down the amount of fluid, but I'm becoming dyhydrated doing that. My urine today was very, very yellow, and I'm not going to the bathroom much.

I don't have any great advice on this one...all you can do is sip, sip, sip...it's so tough in the begining because you are so swollen. Hang in there if all else fails call the Dr. they can always put you in the hospital for some IV fluids. I know a couple of girls that had those little med cups and would drink an oz of water or protien drink every 15 - 20 mins. It was a pain but it worked for them. Hope this helps some...Good Luck.

Yeah, we all know that Drinking and Driving is bad - but I have found that the only way for me to get in enough Water is to make use of that long commute time to Sip Sip Sip.

I put a 1 litre bottle in the car in the morning - and my goal is to drink it all during my drive to and from work.

So far, it is working. Between the litre in the car and another litre at home and miscelaneous flavored waters at work - I am getting the hydration I need.

Good Luck!!

Yes, good advice I drink 16 oz of water on my way to work and on my way home.

Leenerbups, I so remember the frustration and fear you are going through. Bite the bullet. Three bags of saline will set your body on track. I swear it made the biggest difference for me. The swelling stays because your tissue is holding on to all the fluids it can because you are dehydrated. If you get the IVs, it will help the band area bundles.

When I went through this, I remember starting over at 2 weeks. I was banded on a Friday, and the Sat after my "2 weeks banded" I finally had a fresh start. It was fine fine fine after that. But I got IV fluids at day 8. It helped tons.

Ask your doc for help.

I had the pain in the shoulder about two weeks. Popcicles for both

Thanks so much for replying. You people are my life line.

Kathy, I may have to do just that. I'll call tomorrow.

Doc says sip sip sip, but I am am am. If I sip any smaller I won't get my fluids in, which is what is happening, hence the dehydration. A lot of acid too despite his recommendation of Prilosec

It's actually up high, this feeling, and to tell you the truth, the more I drink, the worse the acid reflux gets. I have taken everything I can, Prilosec, Pepcis and tums. The acid is bad. I can feel the Water and the acid coming up my esophogus.

Water never caused me pain. Maye your drinking it too cold if it's hurting you? Have you tried drinking it room temperature? I too keep water with me everywhere. Literally. A liter bottle in my car and DH's. Water filter at work. First thing I do when I get to a store is buy a bottle of water to carry in my cart with me.

Remember to drink before you feel thirsty. If you feel thirsty, you're coming up on too late. Best of luck, I hope you can get this figured out!

Hey Wheetsin. :-)

Water is room temperature. I'm trying so hard to keep drinking, every 30 -60 seconds I take a small sip, but it's hurting. :-(

Time for IV fluids. It's been a week. Don't suffer any more. (((hugs)))

Wowzer, I missed the "7 days post op" part! You're going on week 2 without any ignificant hydration? Have you been having headaches?

Leener, I strongly agree with Kathy. Contact your doctor in the morning and tell him you believe you are dehydrated because you can't drink and you want to be seen asap. Have him figure out what's going on with you.

*hugs*

I had a similar issue post-op... after drinking Water I'd hurt so bad I'd head to bed with a heating pad. 3 hours later the pain was less, until I drank water again.

For me, it appeared that when I drink I gulp air. I changed to a bottle rather then a glass (so my lips surround the opening). That helped a ton. (I also cheated with a straw, but I don't recommend it... the surgeon just talked me out of it again yesterday. **sigh**)

Good luck... hang in there, the swelling does go down... eventually!

Hey all, just spoke to the nurse at the office and she won't be in till 1 pm, but they said she would be calling me.

This sounds like grt advice, hang in there and go see the doc

Thanks. I'm also drinking hot decaf tea, which is going down well.

I have a feeling I'm going to be one of those bandsters that doesn't need a fill...ever.