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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 12/16/2013 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
If anyone is having surgery soon - remember to drink LOTS of fluids. I had surgery 3 weeks ago and had been drinking/eating a total of less than 20 ounces a day (soup, water, juice, yogurt) and had to spend Friday night in the hospital for severe dehydration. It is not a fun experience and slows down the healing.

I went way too long not understanding that I was dehydrated because my meds I was taking were masking the dehydration symptoms. It wasn't until my vision was blurry for almost a week that I realized something was wrong. Then when I did go in to get fluids it took over 3 hours to get an IV in because my veins were weak.
Posted 12/16/2013 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Wow I am so glad you are ok now. I am sorry you had to go through that. David got really dehydrated as well. How scary.

I had coconut water with me after surgery in the hospital and kept drinking it instead of water for about a month after as well. I credit that for helping to keep me hydrated and keeping those electrolyte levels up.
Posted 12/16/2013 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, Stephanie is right, I also got extremely dehydrated. I almost ended up on an IV too to stay hydrated. I didn't, but it was pretty close. For a while I had trouble getting even liquids down. Forget about soft foods. I wasn't even close to 20 ounces a day. More like drinking micro sips the size of tablespoons throughout the day.
Posted 12/16/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Bummer - that sure was difficult in the beginning. I'm glad you are alright now.
Posted 12/17/2013 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, staying hydrated is more important than eating. The body can go much longer without food than it can without water. Dehydration happens fast and when we have to fast before surgery, we start out slightly dehydrated.

If you read though some of the threads you will see we highly recommend getting plenty of fluids. If you think you are getting enough, double it.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 12/18/2013 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
My arms are covered in bruises from the IVs... I'm scared to go out in public thinking someone is going to see it and call the cops thinking I'm being abused!

Also, just found out that part of my problem may be my gallbladder. Doing some tests Friday to see if it needs to be removed. Booooo to a second recovery...
Posted 12/19/2013 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
If you do need the gallbladder surgery, it's a piece of cake compared to the reflux surgery.

There seems to be a connection to GERDies and gallbladder issues. A lot of people here have had theirs removed.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 12/26/2013 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bill. I figured it would be a pretty easy surgery/recovery I jsut don't really want to do it again. My gallbladder scan got moved from last Friday to this Tuesday so with the holiday I'm just hoping my doctor gets back to me today or tomorrow with results.

My biggest concern is what can happen without a gallbladder - those organs exist for a reason. Ugh.
Posted 12/28/2013 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Elle Jay

My only issue without a GB is dealing with bile induced D. Adding foods high in fiber helps a lot though. They also have a few meds that help bind it.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 12/30/2013 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
My gallbladder scan was normal. So I won't need that taken out - YAY!

I guess that means we assume the pain in my shoulder is just irritation from my diaphragm. I will go back to eating very little, frequently to see if that helps. Thats really the only problem I have post surgery so I can't complain too much.
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