I am 4 days post op and overall feel pretty good. No pain. My problem is I am only getting 20-30 ounces in. It is mainly protein shakes and everything is either room temperature or warm cause my sleeve doesn't like cold. I just don't want to have to go back to hospital for fluids.

At 4 days post -op I was only on clear liquids. Water, gatorade etc.. The protien shkes might just be too much right now. I stayed on those for 7 days total including surgery day. I am now on the full liquids for 2 weeks . and I am able to get in about 60 oz. water and 50 grm protien shakes.

I say take it easy and go back to clears to up your hydration.

It gets easier everyday!!

Julie

Hi,

Right now for the first 10 days after surgery just do the best you can. It does take time to get the liquids in. If you are getting Protein drinks in that is wonderful.

Each day it will get easier and easier for you. I always say the 1st month is the hardest month you will ever do. It is a all day job, just keep sipping what ever liquids are drinking ALL day long.

Hugs,

Suzanne

i have said this again and again, so if anybody is re-reading this again sorry.

get a medicine cup from the pharmacy. keep a water bottle next to you as well as the medicine cup. fill the medicine cup up and sip it for 30 minutes, repeat...every 30 minutes. if you do this all day long you will have reached 64 oz of water by the end of the day.

when you can finally tolerate cold water then you can freeze a water bottle till it is solid. as the ice melts in the bottle drink it. the point is to drink small amounts all day long to get to your goal. if you dont manage to get to it, try to get close. good luck to you.

and congrats for joining the losers bench!

I'm about 2 weeks post op and I remember those 1st 4-7 days post op vividly. What I would do is use a 30 cc medicine cup and literally follow the clock and drink those 30 cc's every 15 minutes. I had ticker sheets from my doctor and the hospital, I made several copies and used them at home as well. I like to start early (at 4am or 6am) in the morning because I did not want to go back to the hospital for dehedration either. When I was uncomfortable, I would stop drinking for an hour or two, until I was able to drink comfortably again.

Another thing I did (and am still doing right now) is using those baby sippy cups with the3 little holes in the top of the cup to drink from. It reminds me to take very small sips and I usually only put about 3-4 ounces in it which is the amount you should finish drinking in about an hour.

Also, you still have swelling right now and your sleeve may not be all that agreeable with milk and Protein shakes. At the very post op stages, I drank very warm liquid broth and counted that as "liquids" as well. My doctor and his staff told me that at the very early stages hydration is the most important thing, not protein. Protein will become more important in the next few weeks.

I really felt like geting in 60 ounces was a job because I worked on it from like 6am to 10pm at night. I would also keep 4 ounces of liquid at my bedside at night just to try to get a little in whenever I woke up.

Hope you are feeling better!

scottiff, You're actuallly doing very well for being so early post-op. It takes a while for the swelling to go down enough to get the full amount of liquids in daily. Try Ann-Franc's suggestions and see if they help you.

I am 6 days out (like a day or two ahead of you) and have the same problem...

It.

Gets.

Easier.

Everyday.

For me what helps is walking. I find that when I walk, drinking becomes easier.

I am 5 days post-op and have been managing to hit my 64 oz per day goal. My biggest motivation is that I don't want to go back into the hospital for dehydration. What I have done is not concentrate on Proteins at all. The Protein drink I tried was gross, so I have:

-Bariatric Hot chocolate

-Knorr makes some AWESOME bouillon & beef/chx stock cups. With both, you just boil with H2O. I find that brand the most yummy of all.

-I haven't tried hot teas yet, but may today. (Warm liquids go down easier & I can consume 8-10 oz. in 30 minutes easily)

-Powerade Zero

-Crystal Light

-SF Jello

-SF Popsicles

-Smart Water (don't like the taste though)

Anyway, change it up as often as possible. Find SOMETHING that tastes good so you can drink it often. For me, it is the broths. Love those & they have sooo much flavor & are filling.

Good luck & congrats!!!

-Stacey