Question:
Dehydration - How to tell and how much liquid must I drink

Hi- I am, today, 7 days post-op from my Oper RNY. I am doing exceptionally well. I am no pain and able to move around very comfortably. My problem is that after each sip of liquid, no matter which kind, water, crystal light, decaf iced tea, I get a bubble in my chest and I have to wait to burp before I can drink another sip. I have tried varying the size of my sips but nothing works. I am afraid that I will get dehydrated if this keeps up much longer. I am only able to get in 25-30 oz. of liquid per day. Popcicles also have the same effect. I called my physician's office yesterday and was told this was normal. It happens to alot of people, and it will go away. I am just concerned about getting dehydrated. How do I tell if I am? How much fluid do I need to force in to prevent dehydration? I am doing do well otherwise, I hate to have this problem!! Thanks so much for the help!    — Leslie M. (posted on November 27, 2002)

November 27, 2002
When I was 7 days post op, I was only allowed to drink 4 oz. of water per hour, per my surgeon's instructions. Doing that, I never got any where near the required 64 oz daily minimum. I had the same fear as you (dehydration). So I called my surgeon, and he said that it would improve over time. Every week out from surgery, drinking did, in fact, become less and less painful. Now at 6 weeks out, I can drink "normally"; up to 16 oz. per hour. It gets better, promise!
   — Rebekah B.

November 27, 2002
When drinking water was hard for me, I used snowcones. hawaiianshavedice.com has lots of great sugar free, carb free flavors and reasonably priced snowcone machines. I had the same burping problem that you describe, but the snowcones went down fine.
   — Amber L.

November 27, 2002
hi there. if you were to become dehydrated,some of the indications would be a wrinkly tongue and possibly dry skin or chapped lips. dizziness. also pinch a little amount of skin on your inner wrist. if the skin stays piched and doesnt bounce back right away. your dehydrated. best of luck to you:)
   — carrie M.