Time Consuming!

Geez, mixing, measuring, blending, sipping, is all very time consuming!!! How does anyone get anything else done? I feel like this has consumed my life and I haven't even left the house yet. I no sooner get done with one of my drinks and I'm having to figure out the next liquid & protein intake...ugh! I can't imagine trying to go out and do something while trying to do all this. How do you all manage getting out of the house and still maintaining this rigid schedule? Gosh I can't wait to get to some normalcy in my life again... will it ever come? And did I mention I'm SICK OF SIPPING LIQUIDS!!!! Cheers, Lisa S.

Lisa, I felt the same way. Then I started making out what I was going to eat or drink for the next day and make it all up the night before. That way you just have to go to the frige and take out what you need. I would do this in the evening so I was only mixing & measuring once a day instead of 6 or 7 times a day. I understand completely how sick of liquids you are. Did you have to do liquids pre-op too? I figured out that I was on liquids for about 20 days and I was really sick of it. When do you get to advance to pureed??? That will help you so much. Just keep your eye on the prize and all the mixing & measuring will be so worth it. Someday soon, you will be eating real food again and it wont be as bad. Take care Cindy

I second what Cindy said. It is all in the planning. My problem is keeping my housmates from consuming my carefully planned meals!! Also, I always have a bottle of water, always.

I don't mix or measure anything. I have some small condiment bowls I put my food in. If it fits in that bowl then I know I can't have anymore. If I feel full or uncomfortable, I stop. I don't do protein shakes. I already get in enough protein using regular stuff and I'm still on full liquids! I just keep a bottle of water with me all the time. I drink 2 water bottles a day, 16oz. of milk and 8 ounces of juice. See if there are areas where you can uncomplicate things. I don't know what you're eating or drinking or I'd try to help. I think at some point it does become second nature........just wish that point would come sooner huh?? lol Allie

Welcome to my world.... I know exactly what you mean. It's like your life revolves around "feedin' time". I've basically given up. I have my 50 grams of protein shake in the morning with a banana blended in for flavor, and then eat a little something as needed. It seems to work for me. Hang in there, "rookie". DD

what kind of shake do you use?

Isopure Whey concentrate/ vanilla. Available at GNC or online. 2 scoops equal 50 grams of protein. 8 oz. of milk will give you another 8 grams of protein. My Doc says get a minimum of 60 grams per day. This about covers it. DD

I'm with you. I've just gotten up to two water bottles a day and only if one of those is crystal light. My doc says one in the morning and one in the evening. And then in between there is the stuff from my meals. I love the cheap sugar free popsicles at wal-mart in the tropical flavors. I could eat a bag of those a day. The pureed foods are what's killing me. Tonight I did fish. Didn't puree it just made sure it was done just to flakiness and then mashed it with my fork and chewed FOREVER. I wish you the best of luck and I know it will get better. Just takes a little time.

goodness yes! I feel like it's a freaking full-time job with the vitamins (yay for the pill caddy!), and remembering to sip 3 meals. tomorrow i start mushies, thank goodness!! It's a good think I'm not working or I'd never be able to keep up with all this, but it will come easier when it's not so new, in a month or two! as for getting out of the house, i "eat" before I go, and if i'll be gone longer than the next meal I plan around it so i can be home or i take jello or broth in a cooler. I have always carried water with me, that part was easy. making sure i'm near a bathroom is also important! and somewhere i can rest for a spell. today was my outing to the grocery store and it wore me out, but was a good long walk with all the label reading! keep up the good work! Inky

This might help - try going to smart and final - they have those little cups (and lids) in 1, 2, and 3 oz (and everything in between). They are the kind that "to-go" salad dressing or salsa or sour cream come in when you order from a restaurant. If you buy the two or three ounce sizes, you can measure that way pretty easily. Just put it on your scale and measure some chicken, fish, soy beans, tofu, etc. and get a good idea of what each one looks like. Then you can always fill them up to about the same place. Or, the other thing I did was go to the store and buy shredded turkey and weighed it all out and put it in snack baggies in the shape of little burgers, then froze them. That way, it's quick and easy to pull out and throw in the toaster oven or pan. Also, bought a rotisserie chicken and measured out 7 servings and froze 4 and the other three I can eat w/in a couple of days. That way, I'm never worried about what's next. Variety will help too, if you just have a few different baggies of a little of everything waiting for you. Good luck.