Liquids

Okay....so my partner tells me that I'm worrying too much about things and that I'm doing everything right, but i'm still worried......

How do you know how much liquids to drink in between the small meals?  I'm supposed to eat three meals with three snacks (basically six small meals) and in between those I'm to drink plenty of fluids.  I've gotten up to a quart per day so far, but it's not really spread out through the whole day.  I try to drink a glass of milk in the morning (for the protien) and the glass is just a regular sized glass, but I drink it over the spand of an hour to an hour and a half.  I try to listen to my little tummy and make sure it's not getting too full or anything since I'm not really sure of the rule on fluids.  I never feel sick or full while drinking it.  Then I repeat this in the afternoon and then again in the evening.  I've been trying to get more water in, bu****er causes pressure in my tummy and gas pains like i'm swallowing air with it, even when I know I'm not.  I tried a protien shake yesterday....i got really nauseated and my tummy hurt, so maybe a little soon for those?  Which is why I"m trying to drink the milk to get in some protien.

So I'm scared i'm stretching my tummy and I don't want to do that! 

Any advice? Am I doing this wrong????

I had a hard time getting my liquids in at first. I was told you should be drinking atleast 64 oz but you have to work up to that. I think it took me two and half months or so to get to that point. Good luck

Jeff

Five weeks out here, and like you am still having trouble getting it all in.  I gurgle and feel like with just a sip or two (sometimes) my pouch is full, need to burp, have pain etc.  I think it's just part of the journey for some of us.  My doc kept saying, "sip sip sip" and I will just keep trying! Sounds like U R doing the right thing by going slow and listening to (and feeling) your body's responses.

Mike

Good Morning Rae,

Don't stress or worry yourself, you are doing just fine, it does take time to build up to all the fluids you have.  Basically when you aren't eating, have something to drink at all times and just sip, sip, sip.  As for protein, I found it difficult to do the shakes, so I switched to Isopure flavored drinks which have 40g of protein per bottle.  I can generally drink 1 bottle throughout the whole day.  That plus the protein in the foods I'm eating add up to what I need for the day. 

Isopure can be found at GNC and/or most other nutrition stores, I believe they have 6 flavors.  The great part is you don't have to add anything to them.

Keep up the good work!

~Kristina

So, Does Isopure actually taste good?  Sometimes the sugar free drinks make my throat hurt after drinking them....which is why I can't drink some of the crystal lights.....

Hi...I totally understand, I can't drink any of the lemonade crystal light drinks, those really hurt my throat even if I dilute it.  I can drink the fruit punch and rasberry flavor ones.  As for the Isopure, I haven't had a problem drinking them, but have not liked all the flavors.  My favorites are the fruit punch, grape and the blue one.  They have orange, melon and a few others I believe.  I would try at least one, grape or fruit punch and see how that goes for you.

I was able to get a discount after I found the flavor I want and buy it as a case instead of individual.  Good luck, hope it works for you, it's one of the best ways for me to get my protein in.

~Kristina

Thank you for easing my fears, everyone!  I'll just keep what I am doing.  :) 

Listen to your tummy, sip, sip, sip, and if all else fails, call the doctor and ask. Sounds like your are doing decent for being a newbie. I have just managed to work up to my 2 liters a day in the past few months. I think it was October that I was FINALLY able to get it all in. Do you best and don't get dehydrated. ER trips for fluids are not fun. Been there done that way too many times.

You're doing great for being so new..

Great rule of thumb I learned pre-op that I try to follow every day.

60/60/60

60 grams of protein
60 ounces fluid (water)
60 minutes excercise

Recipe for success!

I think you need to double that amount. The easiest thing to do is take bottled water to work. I take 3 and make sure I do one in the a.m. and 2 in the afternoon. That gets me off to a good start. Then I drink at least a quart at night. I find Crystal Light makes  the water easier to drink and more enjoyable. I just found the Chery Pomegranate. It is tasty and a nice change. -- Tom