Question:
why is it so important to consume 64 ozs. of fluids a day?

I know post op we can't drink 30 min. before or after a meal and that as a post op you can easily get dehydrated. Why though afterwards when we can drink larger amounts at a time do we still have to be careful to continue to drink at least 64 ozs.? Are we always more susceptable to dehyration post op or is it because we will always have to consume 60-80 grams, at least, of protein daily and this is hard on our kidneys? I'm alittle confused for the reason of the need for adequate amounts of fluids daily. Thanks Sandy    — miss.butterfly (posted on January 31, 2005)

January 31, 2005
I got this off the message board so I wil share it....... How Much Water is Enough? On the average, a person should drink eight, 8-ounce glasses every day -- about two quarts. However, the over-weight person needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight (THAT'S US!). If you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry, the amount you drink also should be increased. Water should preferably be cold (it's absorbed into the system more quickly) and evidence suggests drinking cold water can help burn calories. when the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, its fluids are perfectly balanced. when this happens, you have reached the "breakthrough" point. If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown out of balance again, and you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. To remedy the situation you'll have to go back and force another "breakthrough." Water is possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. Although most of us take it for granted, drinking the proper amount of water may be the only true method for permanent weight loss. Some of the effects of water and weight loss are: *Water suppresses the appetite naturally. There is a loss of hunger almost overnight. *Natural thirst returns. *More fat is used as fuel, because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat efficiently. *Retained water shows up as excess weight. To get rid of excess water you must drink more water. *An overweight person needs more water than a thin one. *water helps to maintain proper muscle tone. *Water can help relieve constipation. Studies have shown that when water intake is increased it will cause fat deposits to be flushed in proportion to water intake. More water intake--less fat deposits retained. Less water intake--more fat deposits retained. Why? The kidneys can't function properly without enough water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. If the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it can't operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat, more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored in extra cellular spaces (outside the cells) . This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands....The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs--plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released. In addition, it improves muscle tone. You can lift weights until you're blue in the face, but if your muscles are suffering from a drought, you won't notice a pleasant difference in your appearance. Muscles that have all the water they need contract more easily, making your workout more effective, and you'll look much nicer than if you had flabby muscles under sagging skin. SO DRINK YOUR WATER! Best Wishes
   — Shell G

January 31, 2005
If the aaverage person should drink 8 - 8 oz glasses of water a day, well that equals 64 oz of water a day. There is such an emphasis on water intake post op that most people seem to loose sight of the fact that we have the same requirement for water now as we did preop. All healthy adults are supposed to drink 64 oz a day. As for the protien , the need is based on weight, height, muscle mass. at a 5 foot tall 130# woman my protein intake should equal about 55-60 grams a day which is not surprisingly the RDA for a woman my size. I believe reason for the emphasis is that as obese people we had no realistic perspective on portions or nutrtional needs on this level. most of us consumed far more of all macronutrients (ie protein, carbs, fats) preop and this limitaion is why we are losing or have lost weight.
   — **willow**

January 31, 2005

   — **willow**

February 1, 2005
All the answers were great and very informative. Here is another thing to consider. Before WLS the food we ate contained fluid. Not only did we drink when we ate, but the food we ate was high in water content. The water in 1/2 order of chicken is high! And we can no longer consume enough chicken, or any other food to replenish fluids. All of our fluid needs are met by water or some beverage. We can not comsume enough of any food to help rehydrate. "normal people" need alot of water--we need more. I'm almost 4 years out--I drink over 120oz of water and non-caffine/ non carbonated beverages a day. Good luck! Bek
   — bek4901