Question:
Water/liquid hurts

Before surgery I drank about 64-72 ozs of water a day. Now I try to get in at least 32 and it's hard because it hurts if I take more than a small sip and if I take small sips I just don't get it in. Yesterday I carried water with me all day and drank a little over 20 oz. The only other liquid I have is a protein drink and a cup of coffee (no sugar/Lactaid) in the morning. Both of those go down just fine but any liquid like water or crystal light or juice gives me fits. I'm trying to figure out how else to get in my liquids and if this is going to last forever.    — susanje (posted on February 19, 2003)

February 19, 2003
Wow...I had that same problem. Water made my stomach hurt so bad post op. I found making my water ICE cold helped but It still was annoying because I wanted to take a drink not a sip! I still cant do many drinks other than water, decaff ice tea (sf), caffene free diet pepsi and thats about it! Give it some time. At 3 months post op I am fine but I do notice that water FIRST thing in the water kills me so....Good Luck! OPEN RNY 11/15/02 - 58 lbs
   — sandrac131

February 19, 2003
I am only one week further along than you are and the biggest thing I can say is relax. In these early days/weeks it's normal to struggle getting it all in...64 ounces should be a goal...not a discouragement. My nutritionist also said that black decaf coffee, decaf tea (iced or hot), crystal light, and waters such as fruit2O all counted toward my 64+ ounce goal. Also, it seems that some people love ice cold, while others stomachs can't take it...maybe try experimenting with temperature some and see if that helps. And remember, this too shall pass.
   — eaamc

February 19, 2003
i am seven months out and can drink water pretty easily now. even in gulps. but at first, i had the same problems you did. drinking water, or anything really, caused me pain. unlike the person who says drinking the water VERy cold helped them, that seemed to make it harder on me. i did better with room temp water (although i like the taste less that way). over time, the pain stopped. i imagine it will for you too.
   — Julie I.

February 19, 2003
I was the same way too. The I checked the library and found that some people suggested using a straw. Guess what!? I could actually drink more with a straw. Weird, but true. People say that it can cause gas, but I never had that problem. 64 oz of water is ideal to help flush the kidneys of all the protein that we consume, so early into the process like you, just do the best you can. One day you will wake up and be able to drink like the old days. I think at about 2 months out it got much better. All the swelling needs to go down first. Crystal light drinks are also easier than water for some.
   — Dana B.

February 19, 2003
I was a major water drinker before surgery, but found I had the same feelings as you after. For me, very cold water went down better than room temp, but I couldn't drink it very quickly. I used a straw - that helped - and can now (at 4 mos PO) drink it at room temp and can gulp from a water bottle! Some folks have better luck with Propel or Fruit2o.
   — JoAnn B.

February 19, 2003
Try mixing the water with a little apple juice or straight lemon juice. Sometimes that will help. Good luck!
   — Beth S.

February 19, 2003
try drinking room temp water, it goes down easier.
   — tinalivesay

February 19, 2003
Hi Susan, I had almost the same problem! Before surgery i drank tons of water every day but afterwards every time I tried to drink plain water it made me gag. It didn't matter if it was cold or warm. I tried mixing a little bit of apple juice(about 1/2 juice and 1/2 water) in and it went down much easier. Then suddenly at about 3 1/2 months out from surgery, I can drink plain water again with no problems. Good Luck.
   — Suki L.

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