Question:
Anyone have Dr. P. O'brien (sf,sd) ?? Need help with getting enough fluids!!!

Had surgery a week ago. I am so dehydrated that I wanted to cry yesterday but wasn't even able to produce tears!!! I have written the dietitian and she was more concerned with whether I am pureering my food!! I hardly pee at all and it's very dark. I need more than 3oz of fluid an hour! Yesterday I gulped about 6oz at once more than once yesterday. Today I finally feel decent and not so miserably dehydrated!! I figured out today that when it's all said and done I only get 31.5oz of fluid a day and less than 14 of that is water!! I am not cheating on food or anything I just need MORE WATER!! Am I hurting my pouch???    — Allie A. (posted on March 21, 2002)

March 21, 2002
No, you're not hurting your pouch at all to drink water in a reasonable amount. If you can drink a few oz every 5-10 minutes, you're doing great. If you drank 6 oz in one guzzle, I'd panic. You NEED 64 + oz a day to keep your healing going. And I suspect the anesthetic makes us feel kinda dried out & dry mouth, too.
   — vitalady

March 21, 2002
Allie, Have you had your post op appointment with Dr. O yet? Please express these concerns to your doctor and get his advice. I am 8 days postop with Dr. O and doing great. 3 oz per hour all day long should be more like 42 oz. You can take water to bed and sip if you wake up during the night too.
   — Lori D.

March 21, 2002
I had Dr. Grahm, Obrein's partner in S.Falls and I too was so thirsty as well as hungry. If you still have your gastric tube give your self some extra fluid thru that (H20). I added 60 - 100 cc after each pain med while mine was in plus 8 ounces (1 cup) at night time. Once the tube came out I sipped on 120 like a good girl then started sipping a little more often until I am able to get 8 ounces a hour, listen to your tummy. Everything I have read says that as long as you listen to your body you shouldn't need to worry about stretching out the pouch. More solid food needs to be more restricted as it doesn't flow thru as quickly. The fluids will drain more easily thus preventing the stretching. Thats my understanding anyway. My tummy yells if I drink too much too fast. Key is frequent sipping and not gulping. Also, don't hesitate to call the office nurse of Obrein, the bunch there has been wonderful with my questions. (PS I had mine the 21st of Feb)
   — Brenda F.

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