Water consumption

So I have been doing great getting in 64 oz of liquid a day (usually 32oz i pure water and the rest, crystal lite, protein shakes, decaf coffee)

Work has gotten crazy and I am finding it hard to get in more than about 32 oz in. I know, I have to make time to do it. but I get so busy I barely stop to eat. I am getting on the protein okay, but lunch at work has been replaced by 3 small mini meals. Protein I can kind of snack on while working. I have 2 months of this hectic schedule! 

My question is first, why so much water? I will do it, promise, but just again, what does it do for us?
and second--some hints you all do /use to help you get in tha****er. Weekend are good, usually get in 10 glasses on Saturday and Sunday. but it is the darn weekdays that I am struggling with!!
Any and all help /advise is appreciated!

Shannon

Without 64 oz or more daily water, it's highly likely you'll become dehydrated, which means you'll end up in the hospital.  My wife had a revision in 2008, and she drank a couple of gallons of water before her revision. BUT, afterward surgery, no matter what I said, she would not drink enough water. Guess what? She ended back in the hospital for 3 days.  DAVE

Without enough fluids, none of your organs can function properly.

You're either going to have to drink while you're working, or else drink a lot more before and after work to make up for it.  I don't know what kind of work you do, but can you keep a drink right by you?  Are you able to sip frequently while you work?

There are a lot of good things water do for us but let me focus on one reason why it's important for the RNY person. Salt and water reaching the stomach communicate with the kidneys to adjust urine output. In us, since we've been surgically altered, the stomach doesn't send this info to the kidneys to adjust urine output. What does all this mean? Well, it means that the surgery is like putting us all on a lifelong "fluid" pill which makes us urinate more than we used to. They theorize that this is why people can come off their blood pressure medications so quickly after surgery, because the body keeps putting water out regardless of salt or water intake. So, since our bodies can't easily regulate our output we're at higher risk of dehydration. Dehydration, even mild or chronic, has many ill effects on every part of our bodies. Constipation, colon cancer, muscle weakness, headache are all related to dehydration, skin dryness or even break outs can be, too. Another reason is to protect our kidneys. We eat a high protein diet with limited quantities of fresh fruits/veggies and that can be hard on the kidneys so making sure we are taking enough water in is also important to keep the kidneys healthy. I'm a nurse and I know how hard it is to take time for myself. But, you have to put yourself first. What I do is every time I have to give a patient medications, I drink water. Every hour, I have my alarm go off and I go drink water. Every time I make a phone call I drink some water. Every time I go to the bathroom I drink while I pee- gross but true. I drink before I get in the shower and again when I get out. It's a little insane but it's what I have to do to get it in on my work days. I also try to drink a little more on my days off, too. So, long answer to your shot question but I hope it helps.

Thanks, all. Kim, special thanks!! I am always one that want to know why. and Trust me, telling me it has to do with my kidneys is enough for me!! I am diabetic and the docs put me on low dose lisinopril to help protect my kidneys. that is why i am still taking a mini dose even after surgery. so, I am about to eat, but 1/2 hour from now, I will be downing it.  the alarm is a good idea. I have a task feature that can remind me every hour to drink. Kelly, I can have water, but it is stopping to do it!! 

Thanks again!!

Shannon