How do I know if I get Dehydrated?

Post-op 5 day

I hear you will feel pretty miserable. How much of the 64oz daily are you managing to get in?

Signs of mild to moderate dehydration:

• Thirst
  
• Dry or sticky mouth
  
• Not urinating much
  
• Darker yellow urine
  
• Dry, cool skin
  
• Headache
  
• Muscle cramps
  

Signs of severe dehydration:

• Not urinating, or very dark yellow or amber-colored urine
  
• Dry, shriveled skin
  
• Irritability or confusion
  
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
  
• Rapid heartbeat
  
• Breathing rapidly
  
• Sunken eyes
  
• Listlessness
  
• Shock (lack of blood flow through the body)
  
• Unconsciousness or delirium
  

Not able to get much in

I had pretty bad dehydration about 2 weeks post-op. Had minimal/dark urine output, muscle cramping in my calves, ankles, and feet, dizzy when standing up, and failed the skin-pinch test, (pull up/pinch you skin on the top of your hand, and it should almost immediately pull back once released. If it 'stays tented', then your definitely drying out, haha).

I went to a local after-hours urgent care/ambulatory center, and sucked down just under 3 bags of fluids. Thank goodness kidney-function tests were still good. They also gave me a Rx for low-level 5mg valium for the cramping.

All said and done, I was MUCH better about doing everything in my power to sip, sip, sip. I honestly thought I had been, but that showed me I wasn't.