trying to get my water and protein intake.... having trouble

Here's the deal.. I had my surgery on 4/20/09 and I am definitely on the bandwagon- excited and feeling better than I have in years.

My issue is with getting in the required protein and water.

First off, I do not like/want food right now. It is such a chore to eat, I don't have any cravings or hunger pains, and when I do eat- I get full after just a few small bites and try to "guess" at how much protein I just took in.

My second challenge is that I can't drink 30 mins before or after meals - so when I try to eat 6 tiny meals and also get in my 64 oz. of water during the day, I basically have to constantly eat or drink something at all times to meet my daily minimums. This makes me feel full and bloated and I sometimes have to keep drinking even when I feel stuffed (like I just ate at a buffet).

Typical day:

4:30am - 16 oz of water
6am - low carb sugar free yogurt - 12 grams protein
7:30am - 1 scrambled egg - 6 grams protein
9am - 16 oz of water
11am - 3 spoonfuls of chicken salad - 12 grams (?) protein
1pm - 16 oz of water
3pm - Fat free string cheese - 5 grams protein
5pm - (2) boiled eggs - 12 grams protein
7pm - 16 oz of water
9pm - Fat free string cheese - 5 grams protein

Total water - 64oz
Total Protein - 52 grams

Non-stop eating/drinking - what a chore! :-/

 I know every program is different and I'd definitely follow what Dr. Houston and his staff are telling you to do.

On the other hand though, I can tell you it was a struggle for me too. I didn't like the protein shakes after the surgery, they were great before. And getting all the protein and water in took me close to 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, so I understand. But if you can do it, you will definitely feel better. But don't feel like a failure if you aren't able to get it in all the time. At where you're at it's pretty normal. You're doing great if you're able to get in what you mentioned, but definitely keep working towards your protein & water goals, some days will be easier than others and remember to sip, sip, sip.

I'll basically second what Kenny said. Personally, I wouldn't over-worry so much about getting in all the protein at this point - you'll be able to get it in easier as time goes by.  But definitely make sure you get the fluids in EVERY day. Dehydration is not good!

I drink protein shakes still and I am 10 weeks out.  Dr. Houston told me that if I wanted to still do that he did not care.  I also found this product called Genesis today protein 100 and it has 15g of protein for 1 oz.   so that helps me get in my protein.   My stomach is bigger than your pouch so I can hold more food and water so i guess it is easier for me to get it in but some days it still seems like a chore.   I am suppose to get in 80 - 100g of protein a day and below is what i typically do

2 oz. Genesis today protein 100 (30g)
8 oz. slender soy milk (7 g)
16 oz. water 
2 hard boiled eggs (12 g)
16 ounces of water
carb master yogurt (12 g)
16 oz water
4 oz. chicken (20 g)
16 oz water
1o z. Genesis today protein 100 (15 g)

water 64 oz.
protein 96 g

But remember I am a lot further out than you and have a DS but don't stress out over the protein yet.   If you need some more add in a protein shake.

Everyone's program is different like a previous poster said. I was told not to do snacks. I get three meals a day and the snacks I have are actually liquid. Like my daily protein shake. I would also suggest that you log your food on fitday.com to see where you are with protein and other nutrients. It isn't hard to do. Just remember some equivalents... 2 tbsp equal 1/8 cup or 1 fluid ounce. It is easy to log those small amounts on fitday.com. Fitday lets you choose the amounts for each food. Also, it is hard to eat when you are not hungry but you should at least make an attempt 3 times per day. Even if you only get in a few bites. My nut doesn't like snacks because after a while it can lead to grazing. Not a good thing. I make up for my lack in food protein with protein shakes. One a day is enough for me now. Remember though, eventually, if you arent getting enough food or protein, you may start to feel weak and your weight loss may slow down. Just keep doing the best you can. It will all work out.

Karen

First off....you are doing GREAT!! I had the exact same issues as you right after surgery and soon enough you will be able to get it all in.  You are staying hydrated & getting protein & that's great. 

You are taking a great approach w/scheduling it all out....shortly after surgery Kerri (who had surgery just a few days before me) posted a sample of how she was getting all her water & protein in & it was really helpful!  It does take some planning to get it all in...especially w/the 30 minute before/after restriction that Dr. Houston gives us.

One great tip I got from Jill (the RD at Dr. H's office) was to set a timer at 45 minutes & give yourself that long to eat the serving of protein.  We are so accustomed to eating large amounts fairly quickly, that we have to relearn some things post-op.  She said that the timer will do two things...first, it will allow us a time limit by which to get the serving of protein in...it took me about 35 minutes to eat two eggs even three or four weeks post-op.  It also gives us a time to stop eating....if the timer goes off, throw away whatever you have not finished.  This prevents "grazing" and "snacking" habits.  That was helpful to me...I hope it will be to you also.

I am impressed that you are doing as well as you are so soon after surgery......keep up the good work...it will just get easier.......funny, in a way, that our lives have changed so much that food just disgusts us & we have to "work" to eat!  I think that's a good thing!  Good luck!  Micheala.

I struggled for months to reach my protein/ water goals. I hated all the protein shakes. I just kept trying different ones and now I fund my magic mix. I have a protein coffee. 30 gr. protein 1st thing.in the morning. decaff of course !   i mix a scoop of  protein (cinnamon capp. flavor) with my coffee. this protein is made to handle to hot coffee without problems. (no clumping etc) I buy it from bariatriceating.com.  it is called inspire. I also used vitalady.com to buy samples of  several different proteins to find the ones I like. they have individual servings of every kind of protein .you can think of. really saved me alot.  Nectar seems to work well for me.like the flavors and it mixes well. hope this helps and good luck !Rebecca 

We do not usually encourage drinking protein shakes, but I know Dr. Houston would not have a problem with you using them in the beginning until you are able to eat enough protein at one setting 3 times per day.  I would like for you to eat as much as you can tolerate comfortably at each of the 3 meals and then supplement with a protein shake for whatever you are lacking to get 60-80 gm for the day (at bedtime or between one of your meals).  Gradually wean off the shakes until you no longer require them to meet your protein needs.  If you are still not able to eat all of your protein in 2-3 weeks, call me so we can re-evaluate food choices.  Measure your foods like chicken before making chicken salad (3 ounce chicken breast cooked, divide it into 3 even portions so you can estimate whether you ate 1, 2, or 3 ounces)-- take your time but don't take 2 hours to eat a meal.  You can spread it over about 45 minutes if you need to, but not longer.  Hopefully this will help make it easier to get in all your water without feeling like you are going to burst!  Just sip throughout the day between meals.  You are doing great starting early and drinking through the evening.  It will get easier as time goes on.

Note: IF you are a patient from another program reading this or our program but a patient of Dr. Dyer's or Olsen's, please contact your surgeon's office for his approval before "supplementing" with protein shakes (usually they are only intended the first 2 weeks after surgery while on a liquid diet, then as a meal replacement on occasion thereafter).

Thanks,
Pam H., program dietitian (centennial center for the treatment of obesity)

Thanks for all the kind words. I have been doing great overall. Just had a few days where I didn't want to force myself to eat/drink much of anything. It gets better, and will. :-)