Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

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luvlight 10/19/2015

I'm scheduled for surgery next Monday and I keep having nightmares. In my dream my thirst is so extreme I'm panicky, almost like suffocating. I look over at the bedside table and there's a tiny medicine cup with an ounce of water in it. The feeling of panic is so strong it wakes me and I go to the kitchen and drink about a gallon of water.

Obviously, I'm petrified of post-op thirst that I can't quench. Those of you who have been there before me...is the thirst as bad as I'm fearing?

Lcat4 10/19/2015

No, the thirst is not as bad as you are fearing. Fear of the unknown makes everything worse in our minds. The reality is always different. Your body will be processing the drugs and anesthesia so you will have some thirst, but sipping from an ounce cup every 15 minutes will really help. I always carried a cup with me to sip from as I walked in the hospital and around my home as I recovered. Will you be able to drink 64 oz of water every day right after surgery, of course not. Neither will you be able to get the 60-90 g of protein. These will come. Will you suffocated, no. You can always imagine a big bottle of water next to the medicine cup and know that an abundance of water is available to you as you need it. Hang in there!

luvlight 10/19/2015

Thank you Lcat4!

farmgirl392 10/20/2015

I don't feel thirst at all since having surgery. For that reason, I keep track of how much a drink as well as how and what I eat. I do this to make sure that I get adequate hydration, because without it, I could go for many hours without drinking and not feel it at all.

BTW, it's really normal to have a lot of worries before having the surgery. Just assure yourself that you will be able to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments. It's just a learning curve. :)

MNMama 10/20/2015

Don't forget, they will have you on an IV, giving you fluids along with your meds for a while. You'll be fine.
I started with ice chips, and was soon sip, sip, sipping away. Keep your water bottle with you all the time for the first few months, to remind yourself to keep sipping, and you'll be in the habit in no time. Congrats on your surgery. Hope all went well today.

nmgma 11/14/2015

I had my surgery on the 9th--five days ago. My problem wasn't with thirst, so much as my mouth and throat were really dry from the tube. Even though I wasn't supposed to have any liquids, the nurse took pity on me and let me brush my teeth and rinse my mouth out. I promised her I wouldn't swallow, and I didn't! But boy, did I need that mouth rinse!

luvlight 11/15/2015

Thanks for all the input. I am now almost 3 weeks post-op and I guess it was just a bad dream because thirst was not an issue. Everything went very smoothly. :)

Lcat4 11/15/2015

Glad to hear you came through smoothly!

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