Hydration

Trying to find some information. I am 13 years out from RNY and have lost 250 lbs. Am maintaining. However, every time I have bloodwork done whether with gastric bypass dr or gp I'm dehydrated. I got the app Water my Body and I swear if I have to drink more liquids I will puke!!!! Does anyone that is years out have this problem. I'm wondering if this is a gp problem and not a me problem.  I have tried to find info re: dehydration issues and long term gp problems and surprise, surprise there's not a lot of information about long term problems.  I have asked my dr and have been told, yeah, they have heard of that. Sorry that's not an acceptable answer. If anyone else is having this problem, heard of this problem, knows what to do about this problem, help!!! I have had NUMEROUS problems and abdominal surgeries so it may be a byproduct of that. All I know is I'm extremely frustrated. Any info, short of drink more, will be appreciated. Thanks!  Lee

How does bloodwork show that you are dehydrated?

If your BUN (blood urea nitrogen) is much higher than your CR (creatinine) it is an indication of dehydration.

Urine Specific Gravity can also be used to determine hydration status.

These are a few of the test we use to determine volume status in our patients.

Thanks. I did not know this.

 nurses are not just a pretty face and a nice pair, but it does help....

Always makes me feel better.

You may need more salt - real sodium - that helps retain water. Other minerals are also critical. 

Well, how much water do you drink in a  typical day?

Try Coconu****er. It really helps with hydration. I like the flavors better than the plain but it works so well I drink whatever I can get my hands on. I avoid the products that just have coconu****er in them.  I usually by from Trader Joe's or Whole foods but I noticed VitaCoCo  and ONE in walmart.

Congratulations on your FANTASTIC WEIGHT LOSS! 

Ten plus years ago, I had a successful dbl organ transplant (pancreas and kidney).  Every two months I get  follow-up lab work.  My last few months labs after VSG (on July 30, 2013) I've been dehydrated where the BUN was 45.  I've been to the ER due to falling alot.  The hospital would put me on IV fluids and send me home with more.  I had an inhome nurse come to place a new IV and start fluids for 6 hrs per day at 10 days apiece.  That has happened approx 6 times but there was nothing I could do to drink the 64 oz of water/day at the beginning.  I am 8 months out and these past two weeks I have been able to drink all the water or I will stay up till I fini****  I must have stretched my stomach to do it.  

The protocol for a kidney txp is to drink alot of fluids.  I managed 64 oz then and since VSG requires more, that is something I must work on though from date of txp always drank 64 oz of water.  However, my BUN was at around 25-35.  Back then I didn't know what the BUN actually meant until after the VSG...

Good luck to you and now when you have labs you will know what to look for.  My creatinine (not creatine) usually stays around normal 0.9 or 1.0....but has gone up due to being dry. 

Good Luck.  You will be fine.

alese inFL