How do you get at least 64oz of water a day? I can barely manage half of that. And dehydrated?

[Ambwee 13]

I've been drinking all kinds of Water with water enchancers to give them a different taste, I've even start drinking those 32oz of gatoraid but I can barely finish a 32oz of gatoraid a day, even though I feel like I'm drinking all the time. I'm so worried I'll have to go get IV fluilds because I'm already getting dehydrated. The worse I feel, the harder it is to even drink more. What do I do? Will get IV fluids help me drink more once I'm not dehydrated anymore?

[lsereno 2,525]

Early out I drank on a schedule. Write out a schedule and stick to it. For me, it looked like:

1 cup before Breakfast.

2 cups before lunch. One by 10 and second by noon.

3 cups before dinner. One by 2, one by 4, and one by 6.

2 cups after dinner. One by 9 and last one before bed.

If that doesn't work, break it down even further into 1/2 cup goals.

Lynda

[McButterpants 2,846]

Lynda is spot on.

In the beginning, like right after surgery, I set my phone to chime every five minutes to remind me to sip. I couldn't take in much then so 5 minutes was good. As I found I could drink more I made different goals similar to what Lynda lays out above - a schedule and make sure you stick to it.

[Ambwee 13]

I have a iphone. I can't find a way to make it chime every 5 minutes. Does anyone know of any apps that could do the trick? I don't want to get sick from not drinking enough.

[Sassy Pants1 186]

If you're only a week or two post-op, it's likely you will not meet Water goals. I was advised to make a concerted effort to get fluids in. It becomes easier with time. I was already drinking fairly normally within a couple weeks. But I still could not meet goal because I would get too full from the fluids.

[NICU-RN 31]

Be sure to count ALL liquids in your Water consumption including Soups, puddings, Jello, popsicles, the milk/water in your Protein shakes, etc. It ALL counts. As other have said, the first couple of weeks, you will not meet your goal of 64 oz. I found myself getting very dehydrated in those first couple of weeks and still have to watch it. I miss being able to chug a huge glass of ice cold Water. But I did not need IV fluids. If your urine is a light yellow, you are in no danger of becoming ill from dehydration. If it is a dark amber - it is time to drink a bit more. Keep ice chips by your side whenever you are not actively drinking. It is surprising how much those tiny chips can help with dehydration. And if you DO have to get IV fluids - it really is not that big of a deal. Just a tiny needle stick and a little bit of time to read or nap and as an outpatient in your doctor's office most likely. Relax.

The current medical opinion is that 64 ounces of water per day is no longer the "gold standard" for everyone - although most medical professionals have not yet accepted that.

[Catherine707 253]

My doctor said to have a Protein shake in one hand and Water in the other and alternate sips until you work up to the required amount. In reality I just had it with me constantly and every time I looked at the water bottle I took a sip. I also got the little 8 oz bottles and wrote a hash mark each time I refilled it. The smaller size seemed to be easier for me to handle and didn't feel like I was going to overwhelmed with Water.< /p>

[Ambwee 13]

My stomach can't handle Protein shakes right now. The ones I love before surgery, make my gag and I can't get more than a sip down because it taste so horrible and it makes my stomach turn and hurt. Is this normal at first?

I'm only 1 week and 4 days post op.

[NICU-RN 31]

Try different Protein shakes. I use unjury - available only from unjury.com I find it the best tasting one of all those I've tried. I did notice that most things tasted differently after my surgery. I am unable to eat any pureed foods for the same reason you are unable to drink Protein Shakes - my stomach revolts. So I am existing on 3-4 Protein Shakes and a popsicle a day until my next visit in 2 weeks. Good luck.

[McButterpants 2,846]

I have a iphone. I can't find a way to make it chime every 5 minutes. Does anyone know of any apps that could do the trick? I don't want to get sick from not drinking enough.

You can set an alarm, then keep hitting the snooze

or...

You can download a free app called Eat Slower - You have the option to set a chime between 0 and 3 minutes. this is also a great app for when you're introducing foods.

[macman 603]

The first three weeks I was told 4 ounces of Water on the even hours, 4 ounces of Protein shake on the odd hours, 7am-10 pm

At about 4 weeks I started to use an app called Daily Water. You can set alarms and track total water consumed on your phone

[E2013 31]

Be sure to count ALL liquids in your Water consumption including Soups, puddings, Jello, popsicles, the milk/water in your Protein shakes, etc. It ALL counts. As other have said, the first couple of weeks, you will not meet your goal of 64 oz. I found myself getting very dehydrated in those first couple of weeks and still have to watch it. I miss being able to chug a huge glass of ice cold Water. But I did not need IV fluids. If your urine is a light yellow, you are in no danger of becoming ill from dehydration. If it is a dark amber - it is time to drink a bit more. Keep ice chips by your side whenever you are not actively drinking. It is surprising how much those tiny chips can help with dehydration. And if you DO have to get IV fluids - it really is not that big of a deal. Just a tiny needle stick and a little bit of time to read or nap and as an outpatient in your doctor's office most likely. Relax. The current medical opinion is that 64 ounces of water per day is no longer the "gold standard" for everyone - although most medical professionals have not yet accepted that.

For my directions: Nothing counts as water but water. I'm to have 64oz water plus 80-120 G Protein. I am almost 3 months out and have not once reached the 64oz. I focus more on getting protein in and when I'm not drinking protein, or eating, or taking meds or waiting the 30 min before or after meals... I drink water.