Is the only time you really have to worry about dehydration right after the surgery or is this a constant problem?

Well you should drink 64 oz a day (so my doctor says) but that's hard to do for anyone. But no....I don't worry about it. I just make sure I drink ALOT before I do yardwork or something I know will make me sweat, or by for a eat....you shouldn't drink when your eating (can't say I don't take a sip or two with my meals).

I think it becomes more important after surgery and possibly after fills, when you really can't take large sips. It's not something you need to actually worry about though.

I don't freak out about it either but I have had a dehydration problem since surgery. I just make a conscious effort to drink, more some days forcing myself to do so . I have noticed I feel much better when I do. Powerade Zero taste great and has no calories , Smart water has a clean taste and has added electrolytes and that G2 the light version of Gatorade is pretty good too!

dehydration is definetly a problem for me. i drink a ton all week while i'm at work because i have a big cup filled with ice water that i refill. on the weekends it's harder for me to remember to drink enough so sometime by sunday afternoon i feel like i have the flu...i ache all over and all i want to do is sleep and then my husband will ask me if i have drank enough water...so i'll sit and drink 2 bottles and it perks me right up.

Same here-I feel horrible as if I have the flu-body aches,fatigue,dizzy,weak! Scared me at first until I figured out I wasn't drinking enough fluids and now no problems. I was told some people require more fluids than others....I definitely need way over 64 oz; for me, fluids are needed to feel ok more than food.