New with questions! Burning Man & Kids!

[winterloom 1]

I have been seriously considering having WLS for at least 1.5 years but have a few questions. I have an appointment to talk to my doctor about it at the end of the month.

Firstly I have agreed to attend Burning Man with my best friend in 2015. I don't have a surgery date but I'm hoping for it to be done before this time (though well after healing). My concern is becoming dehydrated out in the desert sun without being able to drink a lot at once.

For those that don't know Burning Man is a week long festival in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. There is only the Water you bring in, so no showers, no air conditioning, ect. I've never been before but I do know that you camp out in your car or tent so it's very hot in the day and cold at night. I know drinking Water at night will help me recover from the hot days but because I have no experience with either post op surgery or going to Burning Man I wonder how safe it is.

Are there any festival goers, wilderness enthusiasts, travellers or people who live in hot climates here with any tips or advice for staying well hydrated?

My other question is for parents. How did having the surgery affect your ability to take care of your kids? I worry about not being able to pick them up, mobility and also getting nauseous or being in pain while alone with them.

I have a 5yr old and 2yr old twins, as well as a large dog who needs walking. I'm a SAHM and responsible for them for 9 hours a day with limited help (my sister can help some days).

Edited October 14, 2014 by winterloom

[Miaoreo 134]

Wow Winterloom, you have a lot on your plate with those kids and the dog. I would not discourage you from having the surgery for any reason.

However, your concerns about dehydration are very real. I would think the timing of the surgery, how soon afterwards are you planning on going to the festival? Would be very important. I would think anything less than 6 months would be a recipe for disaster. I am only 2 months out and still learning the limits of my stomach and stamina.

[winterloom 1]

Thank you for the reply Miaoreo!

Burning Man is at the end of August so I hope there would be plenty of time to heal up. My appointment to talk to my doctor about this isn't for another two weeks and since I don't know the process of approval (I have a lot of research to do!) I can't say how long it may or may not take. My tickets are essentially bought for the festival ($670) so I am going but I may have to make some alternative arrangements for a few hours a day to go into the city to cool off.

I have always gulped my beverages and I've been practicing taking tiny sips and it's a challenge for me to be mindful enough to do it since I'm not used to it at all! Have you accidentally had too much to drink at once? If so what happened?

[Miaoreo 134]

The only time I had an issue with drinking was late at night, I ate half an avacado, then decided I needed some milk..... I love milk and it has always agreed with me. I poured about a cup of milk and drank it, way to fast! I felt full and bloated, but decided to go to bed. MISTAKE, I dozed off only to wake up to the distinct pain of stomach acid in my throat!

I don't know if it was gulping the milk, too much food at once, drinking the milk too soon after eating or what. But it felt like the food in my stomach was pushing the acid up my throat!

Drinking gulps of Water is a non issue... you can progress past sips to full swallows but your stomach will tell you STOP after 2 or 3.

[winterloom 1]

Yes, the event I'm going to is almost 11 months away. I don't know when/if I'll have my surgery but I hope that if it's this year it's soon enough by the time next Aug rolls around I'll feel up to going. It's good to know that I can do more than sip the Water eventually.