Question:
Can I drink sugar free kool-aid and crystal light instead of water?

I hate water! Also...what does "dumping" feel like?    — Robin Q. (posted on January 6, 2001)

January 6, 2001
Hey Robin!! Yes, I believe you can count sugar free kool aid and Crystal Lite towards your water requirements. Dumping? It isn't fun and once you do it, you will know it! For me, dumping includes: light-headedness, nauseousness (sometimes I vomit, mostly I just feel like vomiting), the shakes, the sweats, generally feeling like the stomach flu hitting me HARD. It lasts anywhere from 1/2 hour to 2 hours. Fortunately, I haven't done it very often, but even after almost 1 year postop, I can still dump occasionally.
   — M B.

January 6, 2001
Hi Robin. I am 4 weeks postop and LOVE Crystal Light. I still drink plain water, too, but its nice to break up the monotany. I've only dumped once (which is enough!), but it came on fast and felt like a terrible stomach flu. I had diarrhea, felt like I was going to faint and vomit. Hubby got me to the bed and I slept for an hour. When I woke up I was fine. Keep in mind that it isn't only sugar that can make you dump. For me, I believe I ate too fast. My mistake is that I was eating and watching TV--a big no-no!! Being so soon after surgery, I think I simply fell back into my old "mindless" pattern and eating too fast. Be sure to eat slowly and listen to what your body is telling you.
   — Susan S.