Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Strategies to reach fluid goal?



Recommended Posts

I've been struggling with dehydration for the last few weeks. I had a kink (fixed with endoscopy last week) and some torsion in my sleeve (can't really do much else about that until I'm fully healed, so I need to wait it out a little longer). This is creating difficulty getting enough fluids to prevent dehydration. I got 4 liters of iv Fluid last week. I'm refluxing when I swallow and my sleeve is taking it's sweet time to empty of fluid after drinking, causing some mild to moderate nausea when I drink (though I have so far been able to breathe through it and haven't actually vomited). The last couple days, I have managed to get about 40oz of fluid. I periodically watch the clock, trying to determine the time between a drink and when I feel like I can take the next drink without nausea. Sometimes this is as much 10 minutes or more between drinks (which aren't much bigger than the sips I started with right after surgery). I'm wondering if anyone has some strategies to suggest that I haven't thought of. Right now, it is taking me about 2 hours to finish an 8-11oz Protein shake/meal replacement. I've thought about setting an alarm, but I frequently don't feel ready to drink when it goes off. I'm drinking a combination of regular Water, diluted juices, diluted G2 or Pedialyte, Crystal lite, etc. At this point, I'm trying to drink whenever I feel like I can, even during and shortly after eating, which I know I'm not supposed to do. I did try to take to zofran again to control the nauseous sensation, but it doesn't seem to be effective with this. Anyone have any better ideas? I do have a followup with my surgeon scheduled for next Monday. As far as complications go, this really isn't that bad, but I am so tired of thirst, sticky mouth, and fatigue and am way past ready to get this worked out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was to the point have having my paramedic nephew come over to put in IV in for me, just couldn't get them in and was getting concerned. Then I saw the slushee machine in 7-11 and sugar free flavors. I went ahead and got a small to try it out. I was almost home and turned right around and went back and got a large. It went right down and tasted like heaven. So I started making slushees at home with my nutria-bullet and some crystal light, and it works!! I checked with my nut about the 7-11 variety, and she said they were fine as long as they were sugar free. I ordered a frozen margarita maker, and 7-11 is going to sell me the Syrup. I think this will take me through the summer.

As for the timing issue, I was thinking about setting alarms every 15 minutes, but then thought about how annoying that would be! I work from home and have a TV in my office. I am keeping it on now, down low so it doesn't bother me while I am working, and whenever there is a commercial break, I have myself trained to take a swallow or two. It works!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Daydra I'm so sorry to hear you're still struggling with this. I don't have any experience with this but wondered if hot/warm drinks are easier? I've always found they go down easier for me since the surgery. Sending you hugs and must say, you've been dealing with this admirably.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you both. I will give the slushy idea a try. I do tolerate popsicles pretty well, they just take forever to consume (and let's face it, no sugar free popsicle is as good as an Otter Pop :-( ) I bought some sugar free jelly belly syrups and some silicone ice pop molds that I have working in the freezer right now, can certainly use those.

I haven't noticed that warm drinks are any better than room temp, and it seems to be variable as to whether cold vs room temp liquids are better tolerated. Sometimes it's one, sometimes it's the other. Bizarre...

Thanks for the support. While this is definitely a complication to be addressed, I certainly don't want to give anyone the impression that it's a horrible experience or an insurmountable problem. I'm able to eat solids and drink fluids (just not as much as I need). I read the posts about complications with leaks, etc. and the misery they cause, and this just isn't even in the same ballpark...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

As far as warm drinks, you could also count broths as liquids. I drank a couple of cups of broth a day after surgery. Make sure it it broth with salt. It will cut down the nausea and give you some energy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

As far as warm drinks, you could also count broths as liquids. I drank a couple of cups of broth a day after surgery. Make sure it it broth with salt. It will cut down the nausea and give you some energy.

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am struggling just like you BUT yesterday my husband found lipton diet tea (wild berries), zero calories, zero sugar and they go down AMAZINGLY!! they're not super sweet but they're still kind of sweet to me.. trying half tea half Water didn't work as water is my main problem.. sooo what I didi is I got a cup full of ice, I pour just a little bit enough for a sip and let it touch the ice and get super cool then I drink it! It is awesome! I'm on my 2nd bottle today!! I hope this helps you! Warm broth also helped a lot.. and if you absolutely need water, I put a little bit of crystal light and warmed it up.. it went down better than room temperature...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am struggling just like you BUT yesterday my husband found lipton diet tea (wild berries), zero calories, zero sugar and they go down AMAZINGLY!! they're not super sweet but they're still kind of sweet to me.. trying half tea half Water didn't work as Water is my main problem.. sooo what I didi is I got a cup full of ice, I pour just a little bit enough for a sip and let it touch the ice and get super cool then I drink it! It is awesome! I'm on my 2nd bottle today!! I hope this helps you! Warm broth also helped a lot.. and if you absolutely need water, I put a little bit of crystal light and warmed it up.. it went down better than room temperature...

Thank you! I'll give it all a try. I have a case of the citrus diet lipton (and don't like it that much...), but haven't seen the berry one.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

After trying lots of drinks I've started brewing my own Decaf tea and drinking it both hot and iced, mostly iced. Plus, I agree, the broth seems to go down nice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×