Long term post-op hydration difficulties

[angelstwo 11]

I am almost 13 months post-op. I have had difficulties with adequate hydration since my surgery. Just to give you a quick history. At my 1 week po visit I received 2 bags of IV fluids due to dehydration. After that I made it my job to drink (set a timer to remind me to drink) and managed to avoid needing IV hydration again until I was six weeks out. At six weeks I started experiencing pain and nausea when eating or drinking and ended up hospitalized for a week due to dehydration and mild malnutrition. I left the hospital with a PICC line (central IV) and TPN (IV nutrition) and on a clear liquid diet. When I left the hospital I was lucky to get 20 oz of Fluid in each day. I worked really hard and after 4 weeks I got up to 50 oz daily at which point they advanced my diet to full liquids. By week seven on TPN I finally got up to 64 oz on most days and the TPN was discontinued and the PICC line removed. I remained on the full liquid diet for 3 more weeks and then was advanced to purees for 2 weeks, soft foods for 2 weeks, and finally regular foods. At each progression my fluid intake suffered but I was able to work my way back up to 64 oz.

One of my biggest problems with hydration is that not only did I wake up from surgery with no hunger but I also do not seem to experience thirst. The closest thing I experience to thirst is a dry mouth when I have gone too long without drinking especially when talking. I no longer have any physical problems with drinking except when I become ill. I have noticed that the more I drink the more I want to drink and the opposite the less I drink the less I want to drink. I can go hours without drinking anything if I get distracted by what I am doing. I usually have something to drink within arms reach at all times except when in bed. I currently make sure I get at least 64 oz a day even if it means drinking large amounts of fluids between dinner and bedtime. I would really like to spread my hydration out thru the day and increase the amount also.

Has anyone else lost the sensation of thirst? If so what have you done to insure adequate hydration? Even if you haven't lost the sensation of thirst do you have any suggestions.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I split it up. I have 24 ounce Water bottles. Goal is to refill at least 3 times a day. I aim for 1 before noon, 1 before 6pm and the 3 before bed.

[Mistie 201]

Hi, angelstwo,

I am less than two weeks post op but having a similar issue. For me, I did not drink much preop, either. Most of my drinking occurred during meals. So now, I have absolutely no thirst. I'm still trying to figure this out, as I'm struggling to get 17 oz a day right now, and I know that's severely low.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

You really can't wait until you are thirsty to drink. I keep two 24 oz Water bottles with me most of the time: one with Water and one with crystal light. I drink from one or both frequently and refill at least one and sometimes both.

Until you get in the habit of drinking frequently, try setting a reminder alarm on your phone to remind you to drink.

[angelstwo 11]

Thank you for your responses.

Mistie - Before surgery I also drank a lot with my meals. I could drink well over 20 oz with each meal. It was quite an adjustment getting away from drinking with my meals. Are you saying you are only getting in 17 oz fluids total or 17 oz of Water? You really need to watch out for dehydration. Unfortunately dehydration actually makes it harder to drink which I found out the hard way. If you are only getting in a total of 17 oz daily from Water, Protein shakes, broths, Soups, yogurt, Jello and/or pudding please contact your surgeon as you may need IV hydration.

[MrsKarenC2008 622]

@angelstwo I too find it odd that I'm not thirsty ... I have to remind myself to drink ... otherwise ... like you ... I get distracted and busy and before I know it ... it's been hours since I had my last drink ... it is extremely odd ... being that "before" I would drink lots and lots of stuff and not think twice about it ... now I don't drink hardly anything and don't think twice about it ... which I know is wrong wrong wrong ...

I have two bottles with me all day long ... and I try to drink them all ... some days I do ... most I don't ...

it's such a learning curve ...

we'll get through it

Best of luck to you!

and stay off the IV!!!!

[stacyg1 136]

I also keep everything on a schedule. I have a 30 oz cup on my desk at work. I fill it when I get to the office and will not have lunch until it's empty. I refill after lunch and again in the afternoon. I usually go through 3-4 cups a day. Also, I constantly have a bottle of Water with me, so if I'm driving, walking, etc I can drink. I usually average 90-100 oz of liquid a day