Water Intake After Ileostomy Surgery

Replies
6
Views
779
Okra

A man had posted on this site that after his ostomy surgery, his urine output had decreased, and he wanted to know if that happened to everyone. Any person who has an ileostomy should be seeing a kidney specialist. My surgeon sent me to a kidney specialist when I left the hospital because if tons of the liquid you drink is going out in your ostomy bag, you are not getting enough liquid going through your kidneys, and your kidneys will fail, and you will end up on dialysis. My kidney specialist has me drinking 60 ounces of water per day. I am an older female who weighs 98 pounds. The amount you need would vary according to your body size and weight, I am sure. I did not know how to get back to answer directly to the man who was asking about liquid intake.

HenryM

Thanks for this post, as it draws attention to something important.  When I had my ileostomy surgery in 1964, no one told me that I would need to intake more liquid because of loss via the ostomy.  Consequently, I ended up with kidney damage.  They've stabilized now, but at about 1/3 their capacity.  I currently drink four 24 oz bottles of water a day.  It took some getting used to, as water is dull as .... water.  I end up in the hospital about once every two years due to dehydration, but otherwise I'm okay.  I've pretty much done away with other liquids, other than coffee, which I would dearly miss.  

Gray Logo for MeetAnOstoMate

Why Join MeetAnOstoMate?

First off, this is a pretty cool site with 33,357 members. Get inside and you will see.

It's not all about ostomy. Everything is being discussed.

Many come here for advice or to give advice 🗣, others have found good friends 🤗, and there are also those who have found love 💓. Most of all, people are honest and truly care.

Privacy is very important - the website has many features that are only visible to members.

Create an account and you will be amazed.

Rose Bud 🌹

Everyone's going to be a little different. My kidney specialist told me 90 to 100 oz a day and I'm only 130 lbs. If you know the name of the doctor, I'd call his office, but I'd at least drink 64 oz. And if you do drink caffeine, that doesn't count because you're dehydrating yourself and it is recommended to drink water after.

Doreen 21

How do you work out how much fluid you need to drink? I weigh 126 lbs. Thanks.

ron in mich

Hi Okra, my surgeon told me a long time ago to drink whatever you like. The main thing is to do it consistently every day. I drink coffee, Gatorade that I mix from powder, milk, V-8 juice, water, and I monitor my urine to see that it's pale yellow and go from there. I also put lemon juice in my water as I suffer from kidney stones.

 
Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister
Doreen 21

Not heard of lemon juice in water for kidney stones. Why?

IGGIE
Reply to Doreen 21

Hi Dorren, I was told lemon juice and even a small amount of apple cider vinegar helps to dissolve kidney stones. I used to make a lot of stones and even had half of my right kidney removed because of cancer, but since drinking lots of water as well as real lemon juice (I have a lemon tree in my garden) I have not had a stone for over a year now. It's the acidity in the lemon and vinegar.