I am almost 4 weeks post op. I had no complications. I am struggling to get my fluids in. I used to love Water but now it tastes different and I don't like it. I hate the Crystal Light-type drinks. How do you get it all in? My lips are chapped and I'm dying yo chug water but I know I can't.

Also, I've been cleared for mushy foods, but nothing sounds good to me. I get nauseous just thinking about food right now. And to top that off, I dread taking my nasty Calcium pill twice a day. I absolutely dread it. The flavor is awful!!

I'm worried about what will happen when I go back to work. I have had the flu and a stomach bug over the last week. Maybe I'm struggling because I still feel bad. I don't know. Any advise anyone has would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

I totally know how you feel as well as mist if us do.

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Hi,

First you gotta get the fluids in. That's probably the most important thing you could do right now. Dehydration is terrible and is difficult to recover from. Try different things, like Powerade Zeros or Mios anything. Decafe iced tea. I am not a big Water drinker either, but I get mine in. Being sick compounds the need for more fluids. Ya just gotta do it. Try some SF Popsicles. They work well when you are really dry. Try swishing when you drink. You can take a sip, swish then swallow. It gets more of the liquid moving through the mouth and makes it feel like you have had more to drink that you really have.

Mushies can be anything that will go into a blender or can be mashed. I make egg salad alot, it went down fine. Cottage cheese works too. I put roasted chicken in the blender with some Italian salad dressing and a bit of balsamic. That was really good. Greek yogurt gets the Proteins in and is very soft. You can splash a little sugarfree syrup into it and its good. You got this, but you can't NOT do something, got to get it going.

I'm sorry you're not feeling great. I struggle getting enough fluids in as well. It took me all day at work yesterday to drink 32 oz. of Water. And it made me feel sick. And I still was no where near the 64 oz. of water I'm supposed to drink.

I find drinking chicken broth is easier than water. I don't like the store brands so I make my own. I'm out now so that's why I'm stuck with water until I get enough omph to make another batch!

Sorry got messed up. Anyhow getting fluids in is very hard! Especially since they don't want u to drink with eating. I hardly ever get in what I need and I'm 2.5 mo postop but I just keep trying everyday. It's a habit we must get into- always having a drink in our hands. I have found myself somewhat chugging water at room temp just to get some in and never had a problem. Good luck

I too am about 4 weeks post op. I don't care for crystal light but I like Mio. you can add as much or as little flavor as you want. I fill up a glass (about 20 oz) and sit it with me to sip. When it's empty I refill it. Hope this helps!

I agree, try drinking the water at room temp. Before surgery I lived it ice cold and would chug it, now I find I can drink more and it goes down easier if its room temp. And yes try anything to get that water in. Try flavoring it with mint, cucumber, lemon or IMO drops. You def do not want to dehydrate yourself. If you haven't had a constipation problem yet I guarantee you will if you do not get in your water. It is absolutely vital to our bodies especially now. Try not to get down, I know it's hard when you are sick and eating gets easier and better for me each day. Just take it one day at a time and do what you can. I'm about 3 1/2 weeks out and still adjusting too. Good luck!

I agree' date=' try drinking the Water at room temp. Before surgery I lived it ice cold and would chug it, now I find I can drink more and it goes down easier if its room temp. And yes try anything to get that water in. Try flavoring it with mint, cucumber, lemon or IMO drops. You def do not want to dehydrate yourself. If you haven't had a constipation problem yet I guarantee you will if you do not get in your water. It is absolutely vital to our bodies especially now. Try not to get down, I know it's hard when you are sick and eating gets easier and better for me each day. Just take it one day at a time and do what you can. I'm about 3 1/2 weeks out and still adjusting too. Good luck![/quote']

Oops Mio drops! Stupid auto correct....

I struggle getting enough water in especially when you can't drink 1/2 hour before and after meals. You basically have to force yourself even if you don't want to. You don't want to get dehydrated or that will make you feel 10 x's worse. Always keep a drink near you and sip all day long. Sometimes I wish I had a permanent IV so I never had to drink again. Hahahaha wouldn't that be nice.

I agree with the above posters about the fluids. I don't have an issue with my Calcium chewables, but I do know they offer different kinds in the forms/flavors of chocolate or caramel. I have seen them at my local grocery store.

Good luck!!

I squeeze some orange into my water...gives it a little pizazz. I don't know about you but when I am sick, it takes me awhile to get back to eating especially after having the stomach bug. There are some great sites online for food like Emily bites that may appeal to you but even just some good old fashion Campbell's soup may taste good. As far as the calcium...is it a chewable? I am able to swallow pills so I do that, I did not like the chewables.

Do you like Gatorade? If you can drink that Vitamin water... any of those BUY THEM the fluids are so important to you at this point for healing. Food thing will come and go. I can remember wanting to throw up because I had to grocery shop for my family so they could eat. Start out small think baby food small. just one bit at a time.

I'm not a fan of the crystal light type drinks that are icky sweet. I can usually only handle orange flavor and sometimes other citrus flavors. The orange G2 and the orange tangerine MiO are my go-to drinks. I do love iced tea and drank lots of decaf iced tea early on.

I also drank tons of broth and strained progresso Soups early on in recovery until I could start on real foods. That's one downside to having a winter surgery- at least for me I drink fewer fluids in the colder weather.

I am almost 4 weeks post op. I had no complications. I am struggling to get my fluids in. I used to love Water but now it tastes different and I don't like it. I hate the Crystal Light-type drinks. How do you get it all in? My lips are chapped and I'm dying yo chug water but I know I can't.

Also' date=' I've been cleared for mushy foods, but nothing sounds good to me. I get nauseous just thinking about food right now. And to top that off, I dread taking my nasty calcium pill twice a day. I absolutely dread it. The flavor is awful!!

I'm worried about what will happen when I go back to work. I have had the flu and a stomach bug over the last week. Maybe I'm struggling because I still feel bad. I don't know. Any advise anyone has would be much appreciated.

Thanks.[/quote']

Hot fluids go down much more easily than cold for me....consider hot decaf tea

I agree! Warm liquids seem to go down well for me and they soothe my tummy. Strained Campbells Healthy Request Chicken Noodle Soup, Rachael Ray chicken or beef stock, decaf herbal tea and decaf coffee worked well when I was in the liquid stage.