Can't get my protein or water in!

I am 17 days post op and struggle with protein DAILY, Heck HOURLY. The whey isolate shakes make me sick for 5 to 6 hours everytime I drink them. I bought the EAS Myoplex today and managed to get 1 entire shake down (25g) and also got 3 oz of tuna and 1 scrambled egg in (24g). This is by far the most protein I have gotten in and it was SO hard! Things are also very tight financially for us right now and the amount of $$ I have wasted on shake mixes is ridiculous. I know 49gs of Protein isn't cutting it but I have no idea what else to do! I also am kinda stuck at about 55-60 oz of water a day. I just dont feel like I am ever going to get it right. I feel like this is just another diet I am failing at.

Hi Kim, As background, I am 2.5 years out. First, there are those who will disagree with me, but you are only 17 days out of surgery.....work VERY hard each day at getting in your protein, and the water. The WATER is critical. But, not only are you still recoverying from surgery, you had your stomach decreased to an incredibly small size....these things take time. Keep a log and give yourself a mental pat on the back when you do better today than yesterday...it will happen for you IF you work at it....keeping a log keeps you honest with yourself. 3 oz of tuna...that is a good amount at your stage!!! Not sure if you have tried Unjury protein...got to their site...you can order samples. My favorites are vanilla and choc...they have a strawberry that mixes with water but I won't be doing that one again.... Also, even at 2.5 years out, I do not eat 3 meals a day...I eat at least 6 mini meals through the day....otherwise I couldn't get in all my protein either...eat lots of small meals. Some days I feel like all I do it eat...but by keeping a log, it keeps me honest and informed about how many carbs, calories, fat and protein I am actually taking in.... I use fitday.com...there is a fee for service part but I have never used it...only the free part...it really helps me. I had a terrible time with eggs and milk early on...now I can drink lactose free milk and eggs are fine....but it did take me a while. Congrats to you for making a life altering decision...having WLS is one of the smartest things I have ever done FOR ME.... Best wishes for your continued success!!!! RAE

oops...forgot...not sure if this is will help you (or not)...but....after WLS I had a terrible time with plain water...it upset my stomach terribly...but if I added a lemon or a flavoring, like crystal lite, the water went down fine. Even at this stage, I still prefer flavored water over plain. RAE

Hi Kimberly! I totally agree with Rae - you are 17 days post-op and doing far better than I did at that stage! I am currently 3+ years and still struggle to get all my protein and water, but by now, it's more of a disciplinary issue than a physical one. Give yourself lots of credit that you are so conscious and concerned (this early) about your protein and water intake!!! As Rae mentioned, your pouch is really just starting to heal and will only "allow" you so much per meal. If smaller, more frequent meals help you, try that! Best advice at this point is to get as much fluid as you can and the protein will fall into place as the next weeks give your pouch time to heal. Don't push yourself! I recently tried the Unjury protein powders, as well. I hate having the fork over the money for protein supplements, but I can't seem to manage my daily totals from just food, so I have to do it. If you order protein (from anywhere) or whether you go to GNC, ask about their return policy. Some folks are kind enough to take back what you don't like! It's worth asking! Best of luck to you and welcome to the losers club!! Hugs! Kristi

Wow, thanks ladies! All I have heard is "Get 60-80 gs in" and I have been feeling like a total failure because I can't do it yet. You guys made me feel much better about the whole thing. What I do still worry about is lack of weight loss. I read lots of posts about not losing weight due to not enough protein. Kim

Kimberly - If you aren't doing so already, keep a food journal for the next couple of months. Log what you eat and your nutritional values (the most accurately you can) - take this with you to your doctor's and/or nutritionist visits. If, for some reason, (and I'm NOT saying that it will happen!) you aren't losing weight like you think you should be, your food journal will be a very clear indication as to where you need to make changes for your future endeavors. If you are staying within your doctor's guidelines and concentrating on that protein (as much as you can handle right now) and water, the weight is going to come off!!! Keep us posted on your progress!! Hugs! Kristi

I also struggle with finding a protein powder I can handle. I hate wasting all the money on trying them, only to find I can't even gag down one serving. GNC and some grocery stores carry Muscle Milk, which comes in ready to drink shakes. They are higher in calorie and about $3 each, but my surgeon recommended them. They come in banana cream, chocolate milk, cookies and cream, vanilla, and mocha joe. My favorite is the mocha joe, but it has some caffeine. The chocolate milk is good too and the banana was tolerable. You have to shake them well though or you might get a clump. Also, I just ordered the two free samples of Hank's protein. I tried the chocolate this morning with 10 ounces of the Hood low calorie low carb milk. I must say this was delicious. It tastes just like the Ovaltine chocolate milk I make my kids. The nutritional info for the protein powder alone is 118 calories, 22 grams of protein, and 1 gram of suger. With the Hood Calorie Countdown milk it adds 90 calories and 8 grams of protein for 8 ounces. (I added 10 ounces of milk to mine.) Unfortunately, I checked the price as I thought about ordering some. It's $49 for a 2 lbs. container. There are 30 servings in a container, so that works out to be about $1.63 a scoop, but you have to add the milk and have a blender. Still, with all the money I have wasted trying to find one I can handle I think I might order some. I wanted to post the link to you so you can get the samples for free. http://www.healthfitnesschannel.com/FreeProteinSampleHomePage.htm I hope you find one you like. Good luck and just do your best. Angela

Try cottage cheese or yogurt. Cottage cheese has 12 grams in 1/2 cup. That's pretty significant and mixes well with applesauce for taste. It will get better, don't worry. I never got over 50 grams of protein in at first and never over 32 oz of water a day. Your doing great. keep up the fight, its worth it.