Will Drinking Water Get Easier?

[Comicbookguy 26]

According to some blood work I just had done I am not getting enough Water and am in the early stages of dehydration. They tell me I need at least 40 oz a day and I currently am averaging a little over 20. I tried really hard to get it in today but made it to just over 30. If I take in more than a spoon full of Water at a time and or don't wait half a minute between sips I get painful gas and sometimes cramping. I am just 3 weeks out, will this get easier and how do I make my dad understand what I'm going through? I told my dad about this and he got mad and thinks I'm just being lazy. He doesn't believe that it takes me about two hours to finish one bottle of water, flavored or not. I just hope I don't have to sip water every moment of the day for the rest of my life to keep hydrated.

[kaysunshine 47]

I'm only one week out. I was think the same thing about my Water intake.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Yes.

[joatsaint 2,814]

It does get easier. For at least the 1st month post-op, it didn't matter what it was. I could only take in about a teaspoon full - Water, Jell-O, Soup.... anything and everything threw Frankensleeve into a tantrum. I felt like he was turning and twisting into knots.

I realize your blood work indicates the chance of dehydration. This is only a temporary situation. If you aren't feeling the effects of dehydration, I would not push my limits on how much or fast I could drink. As long as I felt okay, I never worried about getting enough calories or Water during my 1st month. Everything just hurt Frankensleeve too much.

I did focus on staying hydrated. I kept a 32 ounce insulated mug filled with ice and Crystal Light within reach and sipped sipped sipped all day long. I don't think I ever finished the mug once during that 1st month.

Over the following months, as Frankensleeve healed and the swelling reduced, I could drink more and more at one time.
At about a year, I had learned I could take 3 or 4 big swallows of water with no consequences. I can now drink (chug!) 8 ounces of water at one time if I want, without having to worry how fast I drink.

It all gets easier, but it does require some relearning about your limits. It's all worth it in the end.

No one will do the work for you. You cannot depend on anyone else. Your success starts and ends with you. Personal responsibility is #1. You cannot have self-doubt. Do not let self-limiting beliefs hold you back. Create your plan. Get support. Set a deadline. Crush it.

[Comicbookguy 26]

I hope it does sooner rather than later. I woke up with a huge headache this morning, dry mouth, and sore throat. It doesn't help that I have a cpap drying out my airways.

[Comicbookguy 26]

Thank you, that was very informative and gives me high hopes. I've been carrying around a 1 liter bottle everyday and get about one in when they said they want at least 2.

Edited September 2, 2015 by Comicbookguy

[IncredibleShrinkingMan 437]

First of all, cut toxic parents out of your life. Completely. No questions asked. If he can't be supportive he has no place in this journey.

Second, and to respond directly to your question, it gets much easier. You probably already notice an improvement from how hard you were struggling to get Water in while you were in the hospital. In fact, I noticed an improvement every day, and I am now worried that I'll drink so much that it will stretch my sleeve. I am 4 weeks out. Do not, however, expect your Water intake ability to ever return to pre-op levels. The good news is that with reduced calorie intake you should never have the urge again with so little to wash down.

[Miss Mac 6,262]

This absolutely gets better. By six weeks, I could drink 8 ounces in about 1/2 hour. Now at 21 months, I can drink 8 ounces in about 15 minutes, although I never expect to chug again. In a 24 hour period, I can easily get in 80-100 ounces of water/tea/milk. Popsicles count as Fluid. I keep two bottles of Water at my bedside and sip on one every time I wake up or roll over.

[TJBintheOC 104]

I had Water nausea for the first month. I thought, I can't do this...I'm weak, have dry mouth, dehydrated...it was awful. Do what you can do. I literally drank a water bottle a day. I was so stressed reading how much everyone was drinking. I thought for sure I needed to go to the hopt for an iv. My nurse friend said unless you're throwing up, delirious, have a fever, etc., you're ok. Get water with minerals and electrolytes. It's like Gatorade without all the sugar. Try a straw too. That helped me get down more water. I'm 9 wks out and all issues have been resolved. I don't track my water, but I sip all day and probably get in 50-60 ounces. Good luck. ❤️

[Comicbookguy 26]

I am now happy to report that it has become much easier to get in my liquids but not before having to go in for an IV treatment this weekend. Better safe than sorry though.

[TereseG 2]

Yes

Its taken me 6mnths to drink & enjoy Water again

[MrsKarenC2008 622]

@Comicbookguy YES! it does get easier ... I was in the same boat as you ... I thought "I'm so thirsty - I wanna chug a lug sooo bad!!!" ... But tummy wasn't having it ... lasted about 3 - 4 weeks ... now I can drink normally Thank God!

At first only room temp drinks were tolerated ... but now I love love ice cold things again!

You will get through this ... Promise!

Enjoy your journey!!!

[rln52 136]

I had trouble and now i get 35 to 45 oz a day. Now I take a bottle of Water or Protein Shake with me everywhere. I am 2 days short of 1 month post op. My big saver is popsicles. I buy a tropical popsicle SF and I will let them thaw a little then crush down to a slushy and i mixed 2 or 3 flavors and eat with a spoon i finish those so easily. I get about 10oz or 13oz of fluids from this source and my 24oz from shake. Wish i could get more in but did my lab last week will find out results friday. Hoping for the best.

Edited September 8, 2015 by rln52