Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Long term post-op hydration difficulties



Recommended Posts

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@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!!!!

:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

    • Jenopolis

      Had a sleeve in 2017, lost over 100 pounds. Had a DS surgery this year (2025) for more sustainable weight loss. 🤞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      The 14th was my day. I am home and recovery is going pretty smooth. They even let me walk out of the hospital. Picture of me in recovery curtesy of my boyfriend lol. 

      · 3 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Glad it went well!! Wishing you a speedy recovery and wonderful success!! 🤗

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

      3. Selina333

        Neat you have a pic of this day! I was sooo happy to get my surgery. It was well worth it! And I'm not even near my goal. I had surgery Dec. 2!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×