Had step 2 of 3 last Monday and now home recovering. I feel much stronger than I did after the last surgery but am really having issues with keeping stool thicker on a constant basis. I was told to only drink when I am eating something and it's about to drive me nuts! I was used to drinking 10 glasses of water a day and I feel like I am thirstier because I have to eat all the time! I have been taking 4 immodiums a day, what is the average for most with a loop ileostomy? I'm also doing the bananas, oatmeal, rice, pretzels, pastas and drinking gatorade to keep hydrated. Any other suggestions would be much appreciated and I'm sure I will be posting soon about appliance suggestions before I go for my check up at the end of the month. Thanks for the help!

I don't know why anyone would tell you to "only drink when eating". Did they say why?? I drink (sip) all day long, every day and have since my surgeries.

I wouldn't say you should "chug" water, but, certainly you can sip on it all day long.

restricting fluids doesn't seem like the best way to go about thickening. i say drink more and bump up your immodium if need be. you can take 8 a day, and many people do.

Might wanna go easy on the Gatorade (or maybe water it down some). Just from personal experience.

I'm guessing that someone suggested having liquids only when eating, simply to thicken up your output. That can, in fact, be effective.

But it's more important that you stay hydrated. One of the chief functions of the colon is to absorb liquid. Without it, you/we are much more susceptible to becoming dehydrated.

I have had step 1 of 2. After step 1 I did not drink enough fluids, became dehydrated, and ended up back in the hospital with my potassium out of whack and teetering on the edge of renal failure. Don't let that happen to you.

Drink!

I agree with the others, you should never restrict your fluids if you have had a total colectomy because it can be so dangerous for us if we get dehydrated. The fact that you are so thirsty all the time is not good as that is usually one of signs that your kidneys are struggling. Are you still peeing properly? What colour is it? If it is dark yellow or orange then you are in trouble and need to drink more. It should be light or practically colourless if you are drinking enough.

Try to thicken your stool with food or fibre like metamucil wafers and take something to slow your output down such as Loperamide (Immodium) or Lomotil rather than restricting your fluids.

I hope I haven't scared you but it is really important for us colonically challenged to keep hydrated especially if you have loop ileostomy which are notorious for causing dehydration.

Good luck and drink up.

Shell

I agree with you all and still don't understand why the doctors feel that a watery output will dehydrate me faster than not drinking enough water. I really don't think that my urine output is enough, but not dark colored yet. I really think that it just takes time after surgery for your body to adjust and my stool will thicken with more foods that I can add. I am currently only taking 4 Immodium a day and there are times when it is thicker and times when it isn't. I feel like I'm back to checking the toilet like I did when I had a flare up!

Tbraz, In my case about 7 years ago and on going still today, hydration has been an issue. You will need to drink frequently. But in my case I have to watch if closely. To much fluid can cause everything to wash through me, not enough creates the Mojave syndrome. Be careful of juices. Instead of a whole glass you may find you will only want a half glass. At first you may even want to water it down. I have problems with the acids in juices. And yes I did end up dehydrated after my surgery. Not a fun place to be but fairly easily remedied by an IV of fluids... walk in feeling half dead, walk out feeling pretty darn good... is that what a resurection is going to be like?