Question:
Why is drinking so much liquid per day important?

I am only 11 days post op (surgery May 1st!!!!!). I am doing fine eating pureed foods, but have so much trouble getting so much liquid down all day. Maybe if I understood why it was important, it would help.    — Brenda A. (posted on May 12, 2002)

May 12, 2002
Your body needs lots of fluids so it does not become dehydrated. All bodily functions depend on fluid to work properly. At almost 5 months out, I still keep a bottle with me constantly. If it is right there, you will sip more often. As you heal, you will be able to drink more also. Be patient with yourself and good luck!
   — grammie5

May 12, 2002
It always WAS important. But when we've had a life long RAIN of comments about how weak willed & stupid we are, we tend to discount EVERYTHING we hear. I heard the 8x8 msg all my life, but then nothing "else" they said was true, right? Like sensible eating + exercise would end my fatal disease (obesity).... The difference now is that I've taken the only treatment known to have any lasting success. So, all of a sudden, I'm paying more attention to the old hydration messages more than before. That and kidney stones, of course.
   — vitalady

May 12, 2002
Your body NEEDS water to function properly. Believe me, you do NOT want to end up in the hospital dehydrated and that is a very real danger if you do not make every effort to get in as much water as possible. You don't have to drink plain water. You can drink Crystal Light or sf Kool Aid. You can also put a little lemon or lime in the water. Herbal, daffeine free teas are also counted as water.
   — garw

May 12, 2002
Also, we got some of our water through foods and now that we are not eating as much, the water intake will drop significantly.
   — Lisa N M.

May 12, 2002
It's soooo important to get as much fluids as you can in the beginning. I ended up at the ER 4 times for fluids between 3 and 6 weeks post op. Being dehydrated is no picnic! It's the most miserable feeling i've ever had! Drink Drink Drink!!!!
   — elifritz

May 12, 2002
Obviously I meant caffeine free, not daffeine free. DUH. Anyway, if all this hasn't convinced you yet, remember that if you get dehydrated and end up in the hospital it will be very difficult for them to get an IV into you, because your veins will be harder to find without enough fluid in your system.
   — garw