question for the old-timers :)

When you first came home, did you find that working with the 30-90 minute rule leaves you kinda dehydrated?  I can't seem to get enough water into me.  I have the sugar free popsicles that I have and I drink a glass of water here and there but I can still sense that I'm dehydrated.  It's very hard to get everything in LOL  Although I think now that my house is empty and it's just me it's easier (I already made my protein quota today....still short on the water though).  I'm slowly getting down some sort of a routine like drink drink drink and right before I have to wait 30 minutes before a meal, I have a protein drink.....then I eat and then sometimes I forget to start drinking again until 2 hours later.....then I start drinking again.......but I feel stuffed all day LOL

I had a hard time getting all the fluids I needed because I felt stuffed all day long.  But I was on a clear liquid diet for a week after surgery and then 2 weeks of full liquids after that so all I did was sip all day long.    You should keep a bottle of liquid next to you so you don't forget so that you don't get dehydrated. Glad you are doing well.

That's really interesting.  They told me that I could be on full liquids as soon as I got home that I was only on clear liquids the three days I was in the hospital.  Yeah I'm going to have to invest in a good water bottle.  I have tons of crystal light and I can't drink it....it doesn't sit well with me LOL  Thanks Cira :)  HUGS!

I don't like Crystal light but the  one I really enjoy is the s/f packs to go at walmart great value brand.  I truly love the sunrise orange flavor!  All doctors  have different protocals but as long as you do everything as your doctor tells you, you will do fantastic. I bought a 32 oz water bottle and refill it all the time and drink all day long.   hugs,

Aaron I would try popsicles and jello that is also fluid.  I bought bottled water and left out the empty bottles to see really how much I was drinking.  Broth is also fluid if you want to try that.  It sound like you are on your way, just keep DRINKING. Hugs Kristen

yeah I'm hitting the popsicles hard....and I have jello that I haven't made yet.  I'm loving the SF popsicles....a great alternative to just plain water.  I like that Idea about drinking the bottled water and leaving the bottles out. I may do that.  Thanks Kristen!!!  HUGS!

I have heard of some people that set alarms to let them know when to drink. Just an idea.

Well you know the nutritionist said to go buy a timer to make sure you stay on track......maybe I should do that.....the timing thing is harder than I thought.  Thanks for that Aime!  HUGS!

Well...welcome to the wonderful world of "everybody is different"!   :-) You will concentrate on Fluids and Protein for about the first 3 months.   I am not sure where they have started you with protein, but it will change.  Generally they start you a little low and then just about the time you figure it out, they make you increase it. The fluids are really important though.   Stay on top of them.   If you need to set an alarm do it.   I found that keeping the bottle with me all the time (even when I ate...I just did not use it) was very helpful.   If I had it in my hand or next to me, I remembered to drink.   I got sick of plain water pretty quickly.   We were allowed 1/2 juice 1/2 water mixtures for the first week.   It tasted horrible but when I was done, crystal lite then set pretty well.    But again..."everybody is different".   You need to find what fluids work well for you.    Isn't it nice to actually feel full?   That was something that was a novelty for me at first.   Fluids still help me find that "nice comfortably full" feeling.    Stick with it.   After a while it will become habit and get a lot easier!

Thanks Dave!  Right now, I have to get in 60 - 80 grams of protein a day.  I'm a champ at doing this.  I'm putting protein powder in everything.  However, I'm getting conflicting dietician requirements in regards to measurements.  When I was still in the hospital a girl came in and handed me the Roux II diet and told me that this was the one I was going to start when I go home.  This is calling for a 1/2 cup pudding and 1/2 cup of pureed soup and stuff like that.  I'm looking on my papers from the actual dietician I work with at the surgeon's office and it's more like 1/4 cup.  Have I totally ruined the tool by eating too much too soon?  Also I'm a slave to the 30-90 minute rule....no drinking 30 minutes before and 90 minutes after so that's a killer for me. Aaron