Dehydration -anyone?

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I nervously mentioned this at my post diagnosis appointment. Thought it might be me doing an "All things lead to Asperger's " thing. She mentioned interoception . I also mentioned my tendency to feel hungry again soon after eating . I often don't feel full. I've to some extent made myself hold back from continually raiding the food cupboard or fridge, but it's not easy and some days I slip up.

Interoception is knowing something is wrong and then doing something (promptly) about it.

I struggle with this quite often.

For instance wearing the right thing for the temperature at that precise moment - so if the day starts cold and then gets warmer it would take me a lot longer than most people to take my jumper off. Conversely if a spring day goes cold I'll be reluctant to put a jumper on.

Realising I need to go to the loo (NOW), especially if I am doing something else that is taking my focus.

It used to take me a long time to realise I was coming down with a cold. This I am better at now.

Doing too much. I've got better at this too of late. I don't need to go at a million miles an hour like I used to. The number of times I did too much and ended up hurting myself, or being ill.

I don't get a hungry feeling very often, but I do get thirsty - I hate the feeling of a dry mouth. I probably drink too much as well (not alcohol - tea-total).

I am a little lost about how dehydration (the thread title) was relevant to the thread content.

It is important to drink 64-80 ounces of water (or other fluids that are composed of water) every day. If you drink less then this amount, it can impact your weight and health. If you are in a very hot environment or if you activity level is high, your daily requirements will be greater.

I don't feel thirsty so I have to do things like actively drink at certain times or carry water around with me, but apparently I still don't drink enough.
The other side of that; eating?
Not as bad for me. I get hunger but I forget to pay attention to it and I don't get that hungry. I can not eat for days and feel pretty much fine.

So this thread is about being able to remember to drink water so one doesn't get dehydrated.

I had gastric bypass surgery and lost 120 pounds in around 8 months time. Those that undergo bariatric surgery generally have a similar problem. They need to hydrate. Many carry around a water bottle all day long and drink a little every now and then. Some have their electronic watches or iPad send them messages routinely in order to remind them to hydrate.

So a quick search of the Internet provides the following advise:

Tips to help reach fluid goals:

* Keep fluids on hand at all times. If your fluids are not with you, you cannot drink them.

* Sip fluids slowly throughout the day. Drinking too fast or gulping can cause pain, bloating or other intolerances.

* Sip fluids frequently throughout the day. You may only be able to drink 4-8 oz of fluid over an hour when first discharged to home. As you heal and the abdominal swelling goes down you will be able to drink more in a shorter period of time. Eventually you should be able to drink 8 oz of fluid in 5-15 minutes. You will not meet your fluid goals if you are not drinking every hour.

* Have a plan to drink defined amounts of fluid by certain times of the day. For example: 8 oz of fluid by 10 am, 16 oz by noon, 24 oz by 2pm, 32 oz by 4pm, 40 oz by 6pm, 48 oz by 8 pm and 64 oz by 10 pm.

* Set alarms as reminders to drink as time can pass quickly and it will be difficult to make up the difference later. You cannot rely on your body to tell you when to eat or drink after surgery as the physical ques will be altered.

* Track your intake on paper logs or using a smartphone app. This will increase your awareness and make sure you meet your goals.

Source: Hydration and Nutrition after Bariatric Surgery

It's a close run thing , but I think the headache and nausea just pips the thirst for me .

My stepdaughter said there are water bottles that are marked to aid you to drink x amount of fluids in a given time.