I see a lot of posts here from new post ops about how they just can't get their liquids or protein in.  I really sympathize with those having trouble with protein because it took me about three months to start getting enough.  I had a lot of problems related to that - lost a lot of hair, was really tired and weak, nauseous a lot, I got pneumonia which I don't think was caused by lack of protein but I think the lack of protein made it much harder to recover, had to have surgery to drain fluid from one lung when I had pneumonia and that incision did not heal right so I had this nasty wound vac thing for a while, etc.  So I know how hard it can be when you hate all the protein drinks that you've tried, but I also know what bad things can happen if you don't get it in anyway.

Sometimes you just have to do it.  It does not suprise me if someone is having trouble with liquids or protein two or three days after surgery.  But after a few days, we really need to be getting the liquids and after a few days more, we really need to be at least getting close to our protein goal.  I know it's hard to drink if you aren't thirsty and instead feel full and bloated or nauseous.  I know it's hard to drink a protein shake that smells and tastes bad, especially if you're feeling nauseous.  I know.

If you post here on OH about your struggles, you'll get lots of ideas from people that have found ways to get their liquids and protein and even learned to make protein shakes that taste good.  But while you're working on finding a shake you think is yummy, you still need to be getting that protein in.  Sometimes you just need to do it.

I remember at the beginning it was a big struggle but things got easier. I invested in a lot of different protien drinks. Now I have the right combo for me. And it does get better..

hey, I'm so thankful that the protein shake are not that bad to me. I've been blessed to get some great flavors. Before surgery I loved the choco flavor and now 5 days post op I'm enjoying the carmel flavor. (surgery - 10/14/11) Reading your post has really made me even more thankful that I love protein.

 Not sure if this suggestion will be helpful to new post-ops, but I had to frame protein/liquid intake in my mind as my "job". For the 2 weeks I was off of my work, my daily job was to try to get to my goals. I knew it wasn't going to be a pleasurable experience - everything tasted yucky and just too much - but work isn't easy; we do it anyway.

Great post! I'm drinking a protein drink as we speak! LOL

But, I'm sorry you went through all that, Kelly!

Ok fine I will go make a protein shake! Lol thanks for the motivation. I am still having trouble getting in enough protein. I am on regular food, but I can't seem to eat too much so I don't get enough protein from food.

 I think I am about getting all my protein in at last.  I am about to drink a protein drink in an hour or so.  Nummy have made some good ones lately.  Get your protein in!!!  lol

This was great to read being a week out tomorrow from surgery. Motivating me to keep drinking! I'm having a lot of problems getting enough fluids and protein in, but it gets easier each day. I've been drinking Jay Robb protein with skim milk then crystal lite or hot tea alllll day, its my job as nfarris said and I agree 100%!

I hate that you went through all that Kelly. Thank you for always being here for all of us, especially us newbies!!! I've learned so much from all your posts!

Well said Kelly.  The important thing is not whether
I love what I'm eating, but if my body loves what I'm eating. 
If I don't feed it what it needs, it will only hurt me, so I can
either fuss about it or I can take charge of my body and
health and do what I need to do.  In the end, it's up to
each of us to do what we gotta do, however we can
do it.  Thanks for the reminder!

Ideally we can find things that we do love and that our bodies love, too.  And I do believe everyone can find a protein shake they love.  I would not have believed that six weeks after my surgery, then I thought anyone that actually liked their shake was either nuts or just lying.  But now I do believe that if you experiment enough, you'll find something you enjoy.

All that experimenting can take a long time, though.  And in the meantime, you do gotta do what you gotta do.