I need a smack up alongside my head

 I have been struggling the last 2 days to get my protein, liquids and my vitamins in as required. I am barely eating anything (puree phase), and I just don't have the whatever to take of myself like I should be.  Yesterday my liquid intake was 42 oz, I missed 1 dose of vitamins, and my protein intake was 50 out of 90. 

This does frustrate me and I worry about myself. I am taking this seriously, I am just not sure what I have to do to insure I get it all in. 

Any input would be greatly appreciated. 

we'll gladly smack you when you need it :) BUT you are doing well, except for the missed vitamin thing. IT is VERY hard to get in your protein and fluids at first just strive to get in as much as you possibly can and try to add some everyday - before you know it you'll be there! Supplement your pureed foods with shakes, greek yogurt etc to help get in your proteins.

One step at a time.

Liz

John,

You're still relatively early out, so don't beat yourself up too much.  No smacks required.

As to vitamins, I find it helpful to have one of those 7-day pill dispensers, which I fill up every Sunday evening for the week.  That way I can easily see if I've forgotten to take my vitamins on a given day, and it also makes it really quick - Open and dump into my baggie for my lunch bag.

As to your liquids, keep in mind that some of your pureed foods and all of your protein shakes and such count toward your liquid, so you may be getting more than you think.  More concerning at this point is getting all your protein in.  So as you're pureeing your food, can you add something to it that will increase its protein content - unflavored or flavored protein powder, greek yogurt (use it like you would sour cream), low-fat cheese, extra pureed meat, etc.?  

Are you tracking your nutritional intake throughout the day?  Especially early on, I found that critical so I could see if I was going off-track by lunch time so I had time to correct it before the end of the day.  I still tend to track several times throughout the day (whenever I eat a full meal I also "catch up" on snacks) using sparkpeople.com.

I don't recall where you are, but if you can get to the Barix post-op meeting tonight in Langhorne you'll be welcomed with open arms.  Might be a good opportunity to get yourself energized around the journey and get some good ideas.

Karen

sounds like you are doing a great job.  You are still very early out and even though no one might tell you this, you aren't going to get it all in right away...but you will over time.  I think I was told to shoot for 60% of what I should be getting in at the point you are at now.  Enjoy not being able to get it all in now....at 3+ years out I am struggling with making sure I don't get TOO much in.  I would give anything to go back to the days where food was a struggle to get in. 

oh...no excuse for the vitamins though LOL 

HG

 John,
You are doing very well for being so early out.  Note what the other posters said.  Lots of good information there.
 I posted this little hint today on another board.  I just discovered it (although many others probably already knew it!).  Try this:  ad a scoop of protein powder to a serving of greek yogurt.  Last night i tried orange nectar protein powder in peach yogurt.  Fantastic, I must say. Try any combos that appeal to you...hmmm how about strawberry and chocolate?

Good luck, keep at it and keep posting!

LIke everyone else said - getting protein in early out is a chore and doesn't always happen.

The vitamins - I am like Karen.  I have a pill separator that I do once a week and just take them throughout the day.

Planning my meals ahead of time also worked for me.  I always tried to be over protein when planning so that I got at least most of what I was actually supposed to get.  The greek yogurt REALLY helps with that.  17gm in 6 ounces....so even if you split it into two meals...it's a decent amount in a sitting.

Fluids - keep a bottle with you at all times.  Not just in front of you - but I found physically in my hand.  I started to mindlessly sip and that helped.

Keep tracking everything and keep taking this seriously.  The minute you think it's no big deal is the minute things start to spiral down a road you don't want to be on!

everybody get back and let me do the honors!  Only kidding!  Now seriously John you are a baby learning how to walk all over again and all I can say is no excuses for skipping vitamins!  You need to make it where after waking up in the am after going to the bathroom the first thing to reach for is your vitamins and also go and get a small container that they make for meds and such and the nite before put all of your vitamins into it and into your pocket and try to take them the same time everyday.  Make it your routine.  Now for the protein and liquids you need to just do the best you can and like everyone tells you plan is the key word.  Plan all of your meals the day before none of the crap of looking into the refridge or cabinets and saying to yourself now what am I in the mood for because when you do that you have gotten off track.  For example before you go food shopping try and write down your menus and pick up the food accordingly to plan.  I know its a pain but we all signed up for this.  You really can't force yourself to eat all of that stuff at once but you do build up to it.  Good luck to you.

I had the same challenges post op. I ate seven smaller meals a day.. One meal or snack every two hours.. And I kept the water bottle by my bed. I got the water in, even if it took me 24 hours.

At three months out I want to five slightly larger meals a day.

It gets better.

 Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I feel like I should be getting everything in since I am 3 weeks out today. It is nice to know that this is somewhat par for the course. Truthfully, I am struggling not only with my vitamins, but my other medications as well. I know I need to get into a routine like now with them, or I am going to be in trouble. I should mention that my other meds are anitidepressants  and I don't need to fall off that wagon on top of all this right now. I will strive tomorrow to get all my vitamins and all my other meds in. 

I will report back honestly about my attempt.

John,

At such an early stage, your body is still healing.  As I recall, the first six months, what I could tolerate changed every week or three!  We who have faced obesity have learned too well to beat ourselves up for every perceived flaw.  Be gentle with yourself.  Never punish yourself by giving up.

Try looking at eating as a medical necessity.  It doesn't have to taste good.  It doesn't have to be fun.  It just has to be done, as taking medicine has to be done.  Your protein is the med that will make you healthy.  Your liquid is the med that will make you feel good.

If you haven't yet, try making a chart with times for food and drink.  Live by it.  Don't look too far ahead.  This is a daily process, a daily learning experience, a daily win.

All the best!

Lisa