This topic is about finding a balance between staying hydrated and gaining weight after having ileostomy surgery, which can be quite challenging. At three weeks post-surgery, the person is having difficulty drinking enough fluids while also trying to eat enough to gain weight. Drinking more fluids leads to more liquid output from the ostomy, while not drinking enough makes the output thicker. This situation is causing frequent trips to empty the pouch and urinate at night, leaving the person feeling exhausted and wondering if things will get better.

Here are some helpful tips and insights:

1. Try electrolyte-rich drinks like sports drinks, homemade solutions (such as orange juice with a pinch of salt), or water with added electrolytes. These can help you stay hydrated without needing to drink large amounts of plain water.

2. Instead of focusing on drinking a set amount of fluids, monitor your hydration by checking the color of your urine. Aim for a pale yellow to clear color.

3. It's normal for the stoma output to be more liquid while your intestine is healing. Over time, it should thicken. You can also try eating foods like rice to help thicken the output.

4. Consider eating 5–6 small meals or snacks throughout the day instead of three large meals. Smaller portions are easier to digest and can help you increase your calorie intake without feeling too full.

5. Opt for calorie-dense foods that are easy to tolerate, such as smoothies, ice-cream sodas, or root-beer floats, to help with weight gain.

6. If high-sugar drinks or those with high-fructose corn syrup upset your stomach, try to limit or avoid them.

7. Reduce or avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks if they seem to worsen your output or cause dehydration.

8. Try drinking a large glass of water (8–16 oz) right after waking up and after breakfast to get a good start on your fluid intake for the day.

9. To reduce nighttime trips to the bathroom, stop eating and significantly cut down on fluids a few hours before going to bed.

10. Remember, every ileostomy is unique. Give yourself more than three weeks to heal and experiment with different foods and drinks to find what works best for you.