Staying Hydrated in a Hot Climate

[Keys Pirate 70]

Hi Folks,

Hope everyone had a good holiday. I am scheduled for VSG next month :thumbup: and I am a little concerned about my lifestyle afterwards. I work as a diving/sailing Captain in Florida and it gets hotter than hell down here in the summer. Presently, I carry around a gallon of Crystal Light tea with me and usually drink most or all of it in 24 hours; about half that this time of year. I'm concerned with the Fluid intake restriction that I'm going to be constantly battling dehyration in the summer both while working and exercising outside. I'm pretty much dripping wet with perspiration June through the end of October. Anyone in a similar situation? How do you deal?

Thanks!

[Tiffykins 672]

I can now take bigger drinks of liquid, I can probably put away 8-12oz in 15 minutes.

It's only in the beginning that drinking larger amounts is difficult due to the swelling, and trauma that the stomach is recovering from early on.

You may also find once you start losing weight, you may not get as hot. I freeze my hiney off now, and am constantly under a blanket, or layering my clothes. We're in the NW panhandle of Florida near Pensacola, so I know it doesn't get as hot here, but I can honestly tell you now that I've shed over 100 pounds, I rarely get hot.

[thinoneday 445]

gosh, can't wait to be cold! It'll be such a great NSV for me!

[cajun 46]

I'm cold all the time too, since I started losing weight. Wearing a sweater all the time. Keeping your Fluid intake up is going to be very important, especially since you are out in the heat a lot. I get nauseated and dizzy if I don't drink enough, and I don't work under the kind of temperature stress that you do.

Ya don't want to get dizzy and go overboard!

[Tracy46545 6]

CaptCarol,

Remember that if you have the surgery in January...follow the post op plan and really exercise, that you'll likely be 40-60# thinner by the heat wave summertime. Your body will not require quite as much to cool it because you'll have less stored fat. You will have to concentrate on getting in fluids, but it might not be as worrisome as you're thinking now. Additionally, with the weight loss, you'll be more comfortable wearing less clothing in the summer! Tea is a great drink but the real thing is a diuretic, not sure about the Crystal Light version...but be sure that whatever you're drinking is NOT a diuretic as you don't want to be peeing out all your hydration. I think you'll be fine because you're already accustomed to drinking a good amount of fluids to stay hydrated. You're planning ahead and that's key.

you're gonna do great!

[Keys Pirate 70]

Thanks you all for the support and comments; Tracy you almost brought tears to my eyes thinking about being down 40-60 by June! The reality is really starting to hit hard and in a good way. Unfortunately I have to wear (hot!) uniforms where I work so shedding clothing is not an option. lol! I like the thought, however! Getting rid of my built in thermal insulation will certainly help too, I just know how much we harp on our guests to stay hydrated and most of them are not in "our" situation. Thanks again guys, I am so happy to have this board as part of my support system both giving and receiving. :biggrin0:

C

[deedee 5]

Just wanted to chime in that now at a week shy of 5 months post-op I can drink plenty of Water and really crave it again when I'm exercising hard.

[i1Linda 15]

Capt Carol -

Just want to chime in here too. At first I had to sip, sip, sip. But gradually I was able to start taking normal drinks. I am nearly 5 months post-op and can drink a 16oz bottle of Water in about 20 minutes. I can't "chug it" but I can drink it normally as I would have prior to surgery. I can also confirm that now that I have less insulation (aka fat) I am cold all the time now. I was actually telling my husband earlier today that I couldn't wait for summer (in Texas I might add) because I'm tired of being cold. Good Luck!