There is so much talk about getting all the water in, and how important it is to avoid dehydration. Is dehydration a bigger issue when banded? Maybe this was touched on in all of my pre-op classes, but I don't remember. I only remember how important it is to get in 64oz of water daily. Just wondering why this may be more of an issue now, over pre-band. Dehydration is never good, but with all the talk about it here, I thought I'd ask if it's band specific.

I will never in this lifetime be able to get 64 oz of water in a day. That is just a fact of life. What I have had to teach myself to do is get AT LEAST 20 oz a day or I stop having BMs, which is miserable! The only way I can get water in most days is to make weak Crystal Lite and then I will drink enough to keep regular.

So, the short answer is: You need water to keep your system working smoothly.

Dehydration makes me tighter, too.

I'm not banded yet (7 days woo hoo) but I remember my doctor telling me in general it is not good to be dehydrated but with the band it is better to MAKE sure to take it, as it helps things run better and like stated above I have heard that it does make you feel tighter. Not sure if that is even an answer but hope I helped.

I will never in this lifetime be able to get 64 oz of Water in a day. That is just a fact of life. What I have had to teach myself to do is get AT LEAST 20 oz a day or I stop having BMs, which is miserable! The only way I can get water in most days is to make weak Crystal Lite and then I will drink enough to keep regular.

So, the short answer is: You need water to keep your system working smoothly.

Dehydration makes me tighter, too.

I'm so with you on the 64oz of water. I don't think I've EVER had that much since being banded. And maybe, never have (unless I was so thirsty from eating salty foods). I think that the most I get in is 48oz. And I'm fine with it. All I drink is some coffee in the morning, and the rest is water. I used to like Crystal Lite, but since being banded, don't gravitate to it.

Is dehydration a bigger issue when banded?

It is only a bigger issue when banded because many of us can not chug Water like we did pre-band. In cycling I have to be more diligent in my drinking (pre/post/during), because I have to drink slower than I did pre-band.

Drinking Water is important on a few counts. First when you are thirsty your brain gets the same signal as when you are hungry, so you have to ask am I thirsty or hungry (I'm usually thirsty).

Second my band gets tighter if I get dehydrated. So I try very hard to avoid that. Lol

I now drink about 100 ounces a day but when I started this journey almost 18 months ago I was like you unable to get in my water.

I keep a water bottle in my hand all day long and sip sip sip. I also flavor it when I'm sick of water.

My last advice would be to change your mind set. If you think you can't do something you won't.

Just keep trying and you'll get there. And it will help. Best of luck.

I am actually fighting some dehydration right now. My Doc called me on Friday and told me my labs were off. Also I am now taking Iron supplements as that is low. Now I know why I've been tired and cold a lot lately.