Wow, you need to be careful. What symptoms were you having? Did your doctor suggest why, if you are drinking all of the time, that you may have become dehydrated?

I drink vitamin water. So far I think I am doing ok, But as you I can not for the life of me get everything down! My skin is so dry now from not getting enough liquids down, I am 4 weeks out

my skin is drying out and for the life of me I do what I can to get things in. Feel like I am doing ok but sometimes I wonder as we can dehydrated so easily

It is really hard for many to get in everything for the fist few months. Do not worry because eventually you will be able to do it all with no major problems. As for dehydration, it is tough and I went through that as well a few weeks after surgery. It was terrible. I got lethargic and kept spitting up and eventually could not eat or drink anything. They thought it was a stricture, but tests showed it was just dehydration and low potassium. IV's and an overnight in the hospital fixed me up and since then things have been fine. I am over a year post op. Just keep sipping. I could not tolerate plain water and had to add crystal light to it until recently to get it down. It was just too heavy plain for my tummy. It is strange how that happens. I have also heard people say they need either super ice cold water to drink it or hot water. Whatever works you need to do. Maybe freeze some water and then drink it as it defrosts and add plain water to it as you go to keep the water ice cold. Just make sure you do not get dehydrated again. It is not your fault that it happens. Some people are more easily dehydrated than others. Do your best and best of luck with all.

To help keep it cold longer I take a water bottle and fill it 1/3 to 1/2 full and then lay it down part way in the freezer. Then when it is frozen I add new water to it and it stays cold as the ice melts.

I also use Mio for flavoring and enjoy drinking smart water. Also just got myself a Britta Bottle with the filter built in to the spout.

Good luck

Michael

I keep water in the freezer...CONSTANTLY...its a part of my daily, nightly routine now...I keep a bottle with me as if it were my oxygen tank (dont actually tote around a oxygen tank) but never the less, you get my point (smile) we need it to remain healthy and it IS A SURVIVAL move...also, I keep surgar free drink mixes on hand...all the time...when I get down to 3 or 4 flavors, I hit the store and purchace more...sip sip sip sip sip sip...it can be regualr ol' water, or flavored...just keep sipping, sipping, sipping. (in my Dorie voice from Finding Nemo) just keep swimming, swimming, swimming..good luck my dear.

I too become dehydrated and am 4 months out. My dr gave me a standing order at an infusion center so I could go in once a week or as needed to get some fluids. I can usually feel when it is happening as I quit sleeping at night, get nauseous, and light headed. It really helps afterward although I go on a two to three week plateau each time I get the liquids. I try to drink as often as possible but I find unless I make a serious conscious effort and track the liquids I get into a spiral. , It is a drawback to the surgery but I think that it is a real mood lifter to think that I forget to drink because I have so much energy that I am busy doing active physical things. I am working on making sipping all day a habit and I keep little notes around to remind me to get a drink. Whatever will work for you. You can do this and it is totally worth it.

Thanks everyone. I was very lethargic, trouble sleeping, stomach ache, nausea, and my skin is so dry I swear I'm turning into an alligator. The IV helped. I'm trying to drink more. I'm quite active at my job some days and I need to just be sure I have my water bottle w/ me at all times. I'm going to try the frozen water bottle trick. I'm having trouble w/ the sugar free drink mixes. Just too sweet for me these days.

On a side note to mhferrier ~ do some research on MIO. We used to use it at my work place until we got a report from the FDA. Scary stuff.

Thanks for all the support ~ I guess it's just all about learning how to manage this new life.

I'm glad you're feeling better amethyst223.
I think I may have been a quart low yesterday. I've noticed my skin has been so dry (I have very oily skin) latesly and yesterday I was feeling queasy and the skin on my fingers looked strange. I drank, drank, drank and I'm better today.
It's wonderful how we are able to help each other.

i find that wal Mart Great Value Drink Mix is just right for me each packet makes 64 oz. and it is a great drink not to sweet no after taste and many flavors i like the lemon best.

I have some Camelbak water bottles that my nut suggested. One is insulated so I can fill it halfway with ice, then add my fluids and it stays ice cold for hours. I like it as icy as possible.