Reminder: Signs of Dehydration

Because it is starting to get warmer in our little corner of the world and we are starting to be more active, I am going to take a quick moment to remind everyone about the signs of dehydration.  Please remember that these can happen at ANY time during ANY season - not just during warm weather!!  It is imperative that as a WLS patient you pay close attention to your bodies and what they are telling you.  We have NEW anatomy and it doesn't always act the same way it did before we had surgery! 

If you do not carry any identification as a WLS patient, please at least make sure you have your surgeons information in your purse/wallet, code the information into your cell phone, make sure your friends that you play with know your information, etc.  This always helps if you have any issue and cannot care for yourself or express your needs. 

Please know that I am not trying to scare people - but it is important that you are aware of the symptoms of dehydration.  It is also important that you update your surgeon or pcp if you are having any sort of issue.  Let them do their jobs!!  They don't know you are having issues if you don't tell them! 

Symptoms of Dehydration in Adults
The signs and symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe.

Increased thirst

Dry mouth and swollen tongue

Weakness

Dizziness

Palpitations (feeling that the heart is jumping or pounding)

Confusion

Sluggishness, even fainting

Inability to sweat

Decreased urine output: Urine color may indicate dehydration. If urine is concentrated and deeply yellow or amber, you may be dehydrated.
 

IF the PEE B Dark Yellow

Drink UP Fellows! 

How much more do I need to drink if I am doing an activity. I am going to the zoo tomorrow and 64 oz is all I can get in. I want to make sure I don't end up in the hospital. Before surgery, I didn't have to worry about how much I drank although I did drink alot of sweet tea.

Unfortunately there is no "particular" number of ounces to keep you out of trouble.  Therefore, you also need to watch the signs that your body is giving you.  Remember, you are early on and your body is trying to figure out what you did. Your BODY is the boss right now.  The 64 oz is the "recommended" intake, some people require sometimes up to 100 oz a day to survive. 

Again, just make sure if it doesn't feel right or you start recognizing any of the above affects, please call the doctor.  I remember the confusion and the weakness being the things that really hit home for me when I dehydrated.  And the confusion can also make you think that nothing is really wrong - so make sure whomever you are with knows the signs as well. It can be scary because you don't want to be a "burden" to others so you just don't say anything!

As Deb has mentioned, sometimes our urine output is the simplest way to determine your level of dehydration.  I wish I had some more encouraging words of wisdom to help you determine your specific needs.  It is a figure it out while you are on the speeding train kind of thing.  Keep drinking, switch tastes and temperatures up, but do not stop drinking.  Once you are dehydrated you cannot just "catch up" by drinking more tomorrow.  Once you are dehydrated you are most likely going to need an IV to catch up.  Again, not a scare tactic here.  Just want to make sure you have the most accurate information available for you.

Great post and great advice Ruth, it's best not to mess with dehydration.  It's amazing how easy it is for an adult to get dry in even this mild weather.  Thanks for reminding us!!