How to hydrate

One of the things my surgical center stressed weeks before surgery was hydration.  It's important for all humans to be and stay properly hydrated.  For GB patients it is CRUCIAL.  Before surgery, we were advised to start "practicing" how to drink fluids.  We are to stop drinking fluids 30 minutes before a meal, not to drink during the meal, then abstain for 30 minutes after completing the meal.  This is much more difficult than it sounds; you have to eat every 2-3 hours AND get at least 64 fluid ounces in per day.  So you not only have to be aware it will be time to eat soon, but then toggle the necessary fluids around such mealtimes.  Practice does help.  I did so for about a week before surgery and thought "how in the world do people do this?"  I was scared and thought I'd never get in 64 ounces of water a day.  Now it get around 100 fluid ounces.  I was recently asked "do you protein drinks count towards your 64 ounces?"  No.  So...what to do?

First thing is, cut caffeine.  I know, I know.  How can you possibly live without that morning cup o' coffee, tea, Red Bull!  Whatever your vessel for this drug of choice, I'm a firmer believer, abstinance is key.  The only way to truly benefit from the drug is to keep feeding it.  Once you stop, you go through withdrawal symptoms that are dreadful.  This is your body's way of saying "this really isn't good for me."  That aside, it dehydrates.  So, you take up critical hydration opportunities to become dehydrated.  Makes no sense, right?  I drank my last caffeinated beverage the day before surgery.  Cold turkey after that and feel great.  I also found it gave me "false anxiety issues" and found that, no it's not panic/anxiety...it's my Venti Latte from Starbucks! 

Cut carbonation.  It's air...takes up space in the gut and studies actually show progresses osteoporosis.  So, if you're consuming carbonation, even Pellegrino, it's not the best choice so just let it go. 

Sugar dehydrates me.  Not sure if that's a GB thing or anyone.  So here may be yet another reason to cut sugar intake.  And, if you're downing a regular can of Coke...triple whammy. 

I bought a 20 ounce water bottle.  Easy math, given how many times I refill it per day.  As long as I fill it 4 or 5 times, I was successful that day.  I never had issues with drinking plain water before surgery.  As with many other things, after surgery my taste for water changed.  So I got into the surge of powered, sugar free powders.  Worked like a charm for me.  My favorite was sugar free Tropical Punch Kool-Aid :)  So, in the first few months after surgery, it did take some time to work out drinking and eating.  Being an insomniac by nature, I started drinking when I woke up at night.  So, around the clock, I manage to squeek out my 64 ounces.  In time, I was able to increase.  I originally bought a huge 48 ounce water bottle, thinking if I just constantly carried around a big bottle of water, I'd drink.  But, once I got the smaller bottle, I found I drank more fluid, more often.  It's easy to tote around; I can put it in my purse, carry it in the car, and easily around the house or the mall.  So, for me, small bottle, filled all day.  Also, you may have seen my link yesterday...I'm now HOOKED on MiO...comes in 6 flavors so far and all are so yummy.  Very portable, easy to dispense, and you can add it anything...not just water (someone online added it to a margarita lol).

So, hydrate everyone!  Not only does it assist in digestion, but it's great for your complexion!