It can be difficult to drink adequate fluid following bariatric surgery. It is usual for there to be some discomfort initially when consuming fluids, as there will be a degree of swelling following surgery. It is important to be adequately hydrated each day so that you recover quickly from your surgery and you maintain your energy levels.
Adequate Fluid Post Bariatric Surgery
Tips to achieve optimal fluid intake
The following tips will help you to achieve optimal fluid intake, that is, at least 1.5 litres of fluid per day.
- Start with 30 mls of thin fluid, every 30 minutes. Increase to 60 mls of thin fluid every 30 minutes, as tolerated. Thin fluids include water, weak cordial, no added sugar sports drinks such as powerade zero, dilute apple juice, vegetable juice, low fat milk, thin yoghurt, weak tea, herbal tea, decaffeinated coffee and soup broth.
- Soup broth can be made by cooking lean meat or chicken, onion, carrot, celery, tin tomatoes plus beef or chicken stock for about 60 minutes. Remove the solid items from the soup and enjoy the tasty broth. Alternatively you can dilute 1 tsp of Miso paste, Vegemite, Promite or Bonox in 1 cup of boiling water, for a savoury drink.
- If plain water is not well tolerated, add a slice of lemon/lime/orange/melon or a dash of low sugar cordial to your water. this breaks the surface tension and helps the fluid to go down.
- Try fluids at different temperatures. Some people tolerate warmer fluids much better than cool, other people do much better with icy cold drinks and sucking on ice cubes.
- When drinking fluids, ensure you are sitting upright and sipping slowly. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink, as you are more likely to gulp the fluid and this will cause pain, reflux or vomiting.
- Move on to thicker, nourishing fluids at approximately day three post surgery or when you feel comfortable to do so. Nourishing fluids include smoothies made with low fat milk, yoghurt, and soft fruit; commercial shakes such as Optifast; ready to drink drinks such as Up and Go Energize;custard or yoghurt bended with puree fruit; homemade vegetable soups with blended meat/chicken/legumes/whey protein powder.
- Aim for 125mls of fluid every hour. This will help you to acheive the minimum fluid requirement of 1.5 L per day.
Mercy Bariatrics Perth
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