water intake

my question is after surgery an you are post op an doing ok. lets say you have to mow the yard in the heat of the day. what do you do about drinking enough water while being out in the heat. i sweat alot while working outside. i,m just worried about getting enough water in my system so i don't pass out or cramp or dehydrate. thanks Tom

HI Tom, After surgery I could not be outside for long periods of time. I had to hire someone to maintain my yard for me. Prior to surgery I cut my yard myself. This summer was extremely hot. Whenever I went out to trim hedges or pull weeds in the flower bed, I did it in stages so that I did not spend too much time in the heat at once. I would sip on water and come in to cool off a bit. I never really sweat prior to surgery, but after surgery it did not take much. You mention heat and I would start to sweat excessively (I know thats not a good thought but it's true). Anyway, I am now 4 months out and the heat does not bother me. I can go out work in the yard, walk outside, play with my daughter outside and not have any problems (of course I am 70lbs lighter too). Things seem to get better around 2.5 months out. Everyone handles things differently but for me my only choice for this summer beginning in June was to hire someone to cut my yard. It's very difficult getting all your fluids in in normal situations so having to accommodate for being in the heat makes it more difficult. Be careful and take care. Lisa

Hi Tom- this was a huge concern for me - I am an avid gardener and wanted wls to make me better, not restrict me more. Either VSG or DS procedures leave you with a bigger stomach that can hold more water. Of course, there's the healing time when it's still sip sip sip. I want to schedule for right after the first of the year so that by warming time in March I am ready to hit it, and by hot weather in June I'll be almost 6 mos out and maybe 75-100lbs down. Orchid Award, here I come! Denise in Ark

I forgot to add that the VSG stomach stretches back to about 75% of normal *not pre-wls* capacity, allowing nearly normal volume intake- water or food. So within a year or so, while a pouch still can only handle small volume at a time, a sleeve has near the same capacity as anyone else's does. Thus, it's easier to stay hydrated while doing hot work. (BTW this doesn't cause a regain problem -the malabsorption of the distal DS and being careful with carbs allows higher food volume, while retaining the lower weight. In addition, the functional pylorus (as opposed to a stoma) allows a wider tolerance of foods so, despite the malabsorption, nutritional status can still be excellent.) Denise in Ark

Hi Tom, first off when in hot weather don't drink icy drinks, but tap water, sip it so that you don't cramp up. Icy drinks in the heat makes you cramp up. Just take a sipper bottle with you of tap water, it won't be as cold but will keep you from cramping and keep you from dehydration. Best of luck to you. kathy

thanks yall have made me feel a little better about the water thanks again Tom