This topic is about the importance of staying well-hydrated after ileostomy surgery. When you have an ileostomy, a lot of the fluid you drink exits through the stoma, which can leave your kidneys without enough water. This can lead to serious issues like kidney failure. Here are some helpful tips and advice to keep in mind:

1. It's important to see a kidney specialist, known as a nephrologist, soon after your surgery. They can help determine how much fluid you should be drinking based on your weight, urine output, and kidney health.

2. Some general fluid intake recommendations include:
- For a person weighing around 130 pounds, aim for 90–100 ounces (about 2.7–3 liters) of water per day.
- A long-term ileostomy patient drinks 96 ounces daily (four 24-ounce bottles) but still experiences dehydration-related hospital visits every couple of years.
- If you're unsure, a minimum of 64 ounces a day is a good starting point until you get specific advice.

3. Remember, caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea don't count towards your daily fluid intake because they can make you lose more water. Be sure to drink extra water if you consume these beverages.

4. A simple way to check if you're hydrated is to look at your urine color; it should be pale yellow. Also, try to keep your daily fluid intake consistent.

5. Besides plain water, other acceptable fluids include coffee, Gatorade powder mix, milk, V-8 juice, and lemon-flavored water.

6. To help prevent kidney stones, consider adding real lemon juice or a small amount of apple-cider vinegar to your water. The acidity might help dissolve stones. One person reported no new stones for over a year after increasing water intake and adding lemon juice daily.

7. If you find it hard to drink large amounts of water, try flavoring it with something like lemon to make it more enjoyable.

8. If you're ever unsure about how much water you should be drinking, don't hesitate to reach out to your surgeon or nephrologist for personalized advice.