What's your daily intake?

Hey, Feb. Post-Ops - Just wondering how you're doing with your daily protein, water, and all that good stuff, and if you'd be willing to share what you eat/drink and when during a day. I'm only 8 days post-op, and after some setbacks to clear liquids, I still struggle getting in enough liquids, and I'm not anywhere near the recommended amount of protein. At the same time, I'm trying to listen to my body to see what feels right. Think that's probably normal for this point, but would like to hear from other 2-4-6 week postops. Thanks! Sherri L.

Sherri, what stage are you actually on now? I'm almost 4 weeks post op now and on the soft solid stage - I'm not sure how much I've lost, haven't been on a scale for 2 weeks but 2 weeks ago I had lost 34 lb's!! I'm very much enjoying this new stage - I feel somewhat "normal". I'm enjoying ground turkey and chicken (couldn't handle the sight of the pureed versions of these 2 meats). Of course my portions are so small but it feels good to sit and eat the same looking things that other people are eating. At 8 days post op, I was struggling with getting in all the fluid they wanted me to so I tried different methods. I was not sensitive to cold so I had sugar-free popsicles, and sugar-free pop-ice. I put ice in my water so that it stayed cold, for some reason that seemed to really help. I also had a good amount of sugar-free jello (of course, always be sure to not do more than 2oz per hour). I personally found the variety allowed me to get more liquid in. Also, remember if you are taking any med's that are ground up and put in a beverage, that also counts towards your intake total. I also had trouble getting in the protein, I could only do 2 "meals" at this point, my Dr's office said just get in as much as you can. Luckily on day 9, I was advanced to the next stage so I could have yogurt and cottage cheese, so shortly thereafter I started to be able to get in my 3 "meals". Remember to eat slowly. Don't let yourself think too much about the clear liquid intake, just get in as much as you can (I played the mind game ... 48 oz divided by 2oz per hour was ... ) DON'T DO THAT TO YOURSELF you'll eventually get to where you need to be !!! One more thing, VERY important, DON'T forget to take your vitamins!! Good luck - as I tell myself, the end will justify the means!! You will get through this!! Pamm

Sherri, My surgery was the day after yours. I'm doing GREAT. Down 6 lbs since surgery (total weight loss is now 56 lbs for me over the last year). My surgeon is very admanant about only liquids for 4 to 6 weeks. He had me start with 2 tblsp. of protein drink and am working on increasing it daily. We don't add in vitamins till 3rd week I believe. I'm doing water, propel water, SF jello, some protein drinks, broth, diluted apple and grape juice. Yesterday was the first day I was able to get all 64 oz in. I have some type of fluids sitting me at all times. I sip away, sip away. I had open RNY and can't believe how quickly I'm bouncing back. Was in the hospital for 4 days, came home Saturday. Each day I've gone out for a while, even gone out to dinner (only had broth or water). I'm not hungry at all and really have quite a bit of energy. I'm 51 years old. Family and friends are amazed at how good I am doing. When I had my gall bladder out years ago, I was dragging for 3 weeks afterwards. Mary

Thanks for your responses, guys. I know everyone's doctors advise different things and set us up with different post-op dietary requirements. I'm on only liquids, too. Thanks for letting me know that others had to work up to get to the amount of liquids required - helps to know I'm not the only one who's had to work up to this. I've done a lot better just yesterday and today, so I'm feeling much better about it. Thanks again! Sherri

Hello Sherri .... Come Tues 3-10.....I'll be 4 wks Post-op. At 2 wks my Dr.had me to start with more solid foods....Example: Moist chicken, Tuna, Fish, Shrimp.....Vegs...For now no gassy ones.....Eggs, Cheese and some Fruits Etc....Etc Anyways, I'm able to eat just about anything, Or I should say.... so far everything I've tried has settled well !!! I dare not even think of trying sweets.....Was a down fall even before surgery !!! As far as water intake...I range between 48 to 64 ozs. a day and I have 1 protein shake in the morning and the rest is usually by food. I eat mostly lunch meats ....like Oscar Meyers Oven Roasted Turkey which for 1 slice is 25 cal. No Carbs or sugars and 13 grs. protein. I take 1 slice meat and 1 slice FF Cheese(5 grs protein) and that gives me 18 grs. in food. I don't do water well and didn't prior to surgery either.....But I LOVE the SF Tang and the Crystal Light Tangerine-Strawberry. Hope I've helped in some way.....Still feeling the new here to !!! Take Care !!! God Bless !!!!!!!!! Rhonda