The temperatures continue to climb here in the Twin Cities, and while we oftentimes try to keep cool by the water during Minnesota summers, it’s also imperative that you’re consuming enough water to stay hydrated. This is especially important if you’ve undergone weight loss surgery, and one such procedure that can put you at an elevated risk for dehydration is gastric sleeve surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery can be just what you need to achieve your weight loss goals, but because the operation causes changes to your stomach, dehydration is something you’ll need to watch out for following the procedure. In today’s blog, we dive deeper into the subject and share some tips for preventing dehydration after gastric sleeve surgery.
Weight Loss Surgery And Dehydration
Dehydration can be more common in patients following gastric sleeve weight loss surgery because of the way the stomach is changed by the procedure. The sleeving operation involves the removal of a portion of the stomach, which makes the remaining pouch much smaller. In other words, your stomach will be able to hold a much smaller volume of food and liquid following the procedure. It’s this size reduction that helps you feel fuller faster and decrease food consumption, but it can also lead to problems for our water intake.
Also, as some people adjust to life after surgery, they may deal with vomiting or diarrhea that can also lead to dehydration. These factors are oftentimes mild and short-lived, but they need to be monitored, especially since you likely won’t be consuming as much water as you did prior to your procedure.
One way to help prevent dehydration after gastric sleeve surgery is by being aware of the signs of dehydration and consuming more water when you notice any of these signs. Early symptoms of dehydration include:
- Thirst
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Dark urine
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to drink some water or a sports drink to help stay hydrated. It may sound simple, but because you won’t be drinking as much water at a time, you have to make the conscious choice to drink more times throughout the day. One of the easiest ways to do this is to invest in a large water bottle that you bring with you throughout the day. Keep one at the office and bring one with you when you’re running errands so that water is never far from your side or your mind.
There’s also the likelihood that you’re also working to increase your activity levels after surgery to really spur weight loss, and while that’s exactly what you want to be doing, increased activity can also lead to more water loss in the form of sweat. Always have water close by before, during and after a workout to help avoid dehydration.
Gastric sleeve surgery may be exactly what you need to spur your weight loss success, and while it has plenty of benefits, one downside is that your dehydration risk increases, but it shouldn’t be an issue if you are aware of that potential side effect and take steps to mitigate your risk. To learn more about gastric sleeve weight loss surgery, or to talk to a doctor about your weight loss goals, reach out to Dr. Bhatti and the team at Bhatti GI Consultants today.
