Ok, I get my surgery this Monday, 9/19. I am worried about the whole sipping thing and not getting enough water in. This is the part that I fear the most, can someone tell me or try and describe how much you are able to drink right after? Can you tell me how do you know if you are drinking too much or not enough? How much should you drink in an hour? What size sips do you take? I don't want to dehydrate, I am really worried about this. Thanks so much!

dont worry about it. Im a month out right now but they wouldnt let me drink Water that day, not that I even wanted to because your iv will do the job right away. I was drinking an ounce about every hour and could barely get that down. You gotta force yourself to drink but its a must. It gets better over the coming days and you'll be fine. Your stomach will gurgle a lot in the beginning though

Don't worry about drinking too much. I promise THAT won't be an issue. lol I got little medicine cups to drink out of in the hospital and my NUT said to drink it in 4 sips over a 15 minute period. After that you just learn to take a sip every few minutes. Always carry something to drink, wherever you go. I personally find it easier or more encouraging to drink out of smaller glasses. If i drink out of something bigger like a gatorade bottle, i will occasionally absent mindedly take a big gulp and have to either swallow it in bits or spit it out. Don't worry too much. I think the sipping comes pretty naturally.

You will see that this won't be an issue. The first day, ice chips were my salvation. I could sip but I really didn't want to. My doctor told me my job was to walk and sip when I got home. Just take it easy and do the best you can. It will be be fine. Also, sugar free popcicles were great. The small medicine cups were very helpful. You learn pretty quickly how much you can sip...what feels good and what does not. Just remember, it is a process. You will be fine.