Question:
Has anyone gotten dehydrated post-op???

I looked up dehydration in a medical journal and found that I am having symptoms of this. Has anyone else had it? Can you tell me what you did to cure it? What were your symptoms? THANKS!    — Mary B. (posted on January 17, 2000)

January 16, 2000
I did not suffer with deydration but it is VERY VERY important to get your fluids in. 1. when your body goes in dehydration mode it STORES all the fluids thus water retention meaining weight loss will not happen. 2. With the surgery you need the fluids to wash out your system and with the surgery due to foods not being absorbed by our bodies all the time you have more acidic urine making UTI (Urinary Tract infection)more common My DR. suggest taking extra vitamin C since this reduces the acidity of the urine. and GET PLENTY of WATER! When I say water. that does not mean you have to drink your 8 glasses of water in addition to your coffee, juice. If you drink say 4 cups of coffee that is 4 waters, 1 juice that is another water, then a glass of tea that is another water, milk another. You now have 7 waters. But also know that you need an additional glass for every 25 pounds that you are overweight to help flush out your body.
   — Cathy D.

January 16, 2000
I BECAME DEHYDRATED 2 WEEKS POST-OP,I BECAME SO TRIED THAT I COULD NOT EVEN GET OUT OF BED AND IT GOT WORSE EVERYDAY . I NOTICED THAT I WAS TO WEAK TO EAT OR DRINK AND WAS NOT GOING TO THE BATHROOM. MY MOUTH WAS VERY DRY AND HAD A BAD TASTE,I BEGAIN TO HAVE THE DRY HEAVES (THATS THROWING UP BUT NOTHING COMES OUT). I FELT AS IF I WAS GOING TO DIE!!!! MY DOCTOR PUT ME IN THE HOSPITAL AND REHYDRATED ME WITH IV FLUIDS AND IN A COUPLE OF DAYS I FELT LIKE MYSELF. SO IF YOU FEEL ANYTHING LIKE THIS CALL YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT NOW.
   — Lisa W.

January 17, 2000
Dehydration can be prevented by continuing to choose items which contain potassium. V8 is a good choice. The potassium ion keeps our circulartory system "open" and able to transport nutrients. Bananas have potassium, as do veggies and other fruits. Read labels...nibble on saltines.
   — Dee R.

January 17, 2000
Hi--Cathy below has it partially right. Your body will hold fluid when it is low on fluid as a survival tactic. You want to focus on getting at least 64 ounces of fluid and at least half of that should be water. Don't count caffiene though as caffiene is a natural diuretic and makes your body lose fluid. A good way to tell if you are getting enough fluids is you should be peeing in good amounts and it should be clear in color. It should not be dark yellow or orangy. It may be slightly light yellow if you are taking vitamins however. You need fluid for weight loss because of body chemistry. A fat molecule is made up of a lipid molecule attached to two glycerine molecules. In order to break down fat those two must seperate. It needs the hydrogen in a water molecule to do that. When they seperate one will join with the hydrogen instead (I forget whether it was the lipid or the glycerine.) Bladder infections happen when urine is LESS acidic and vitamin C helps as it makes it MORE acidic. Not the other way around. Other acidic things are vinegar, cranberries, lemon juice. Just keeping up your fluid intake is enough though.
   — Lisa O.

January 17, 2000
Hi Mary: What are the symptoms you are having? Most people are not aware that dehydration (fluid and electrolyte imbalances) can be a life-threatening condition. Try drinking some Gatorade as a start to replenish your system, and plenty of water. Discuss this as soon as you can with your health care provider. Email me if I can help. Jaye Carl (I'm an RN but DON'T play one on the internet.....LOL! I'm just a WLS patient like everyone else)open proximal RNY 7-29-99, 90 pounds melted away!
   — Jaye C.

March 22, 2003
Around 3 weeks post op, I became severly dehydrated. I was going to the bathroom 15-20 times a day (side effect of having gall blader taken out) and couldn't replace the fluid as quickly as it was leaving. After several days of this, I started dry heaving. At that point I literally felt like I was dying. I called the doc and was told to go to the ER. They kept me in the hospital for 3 days giving me i.v. fluids, potassium, and magnesium. My potassium levels got so low, they told me I was 2 points away from having a heart attack. I was drinking as much water and gatorade as I could, but just couldn't keep up and it got out of hand quickly! My advice for anyone who feels dehydrated is to call their doctor right away and express their concerns!
   — Kroschka H.