How the hell do you get all your fluids in??

For me, all protein drinks count as fluids. I also can't drink 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after meals. If you're really worried about your fluid intake I would strongly suggest you make an appointment with your nutritionist. Bring your logs and get some help before you have problems. 

When I asked my surgeon why no drinking for 30 minutes before meals, he just laughed.  He said that surgeons think we won't remember whether it is before or after so they say both.  It is important not to drink 30 minutes after meals.  He told me to go ahead and drink up until I start eating.

My surgeon also said no straws. Never used one anyway. I even keep a glass of water on my bedside and have several drinks during the night and as soon as I wake up. 

My surgeon said I could skip the 30 min. prior rule, but I find that if I drink something right before I eat, it still slows me down, to the point that I have to wait another 5-10 min. just to take the first bite of food, and that just frustrates me.  I feel like I have become physically attached to my water bottle.  I'm not used to carrying things (I hate purses, too), so it kinda bugs me, but it's still worth it!  I keep looking for that perfect "cute" water bottle accessory.  

I had to get it down to a system that I could do to the same thing every day.  My trick was to drink from when I got up to 30 min before my first break at work at about 9am.  Then I had breakfast.  I could usually get 8-16 oz in before breakfast and I still try to do so or I tend to be worried about not drinking for 30 before or 1 hr after meals all day.  Remember that your protein shake fluid counts. 

Later on, our NUIT said that the 30 min before was not as important as the 30 min after rule (I had problems early on with stomache pain and my surg said to wait 60 min, and it worked so I wait 60 min. 

is 15 grams of carbs in a protein shake too much????

My nutritionist wants me to drink only shakes with 20-30 grams of protein. She said the ones with lower amounts of protein usually have more sugar than you need or want.

Its very hard in the beginning but DOES get better.  I have to use those flavor packets as I hate plain water.  I'm 8.75 months out and I can now get in 5-6 bottles of water per day plus the protein shake and 1/2 c decaf coffee in morning.

The truth?  I didn't.  I didn't get ALL of my liquids in.  I tried my best but I was recovering from 2 major surgeries, was blown up like a balloon with gas from both procedures, and down in the dumps that I didn't get the surgery I wanted.  I made it through and you will too.  Your protein numbers are awesome.  Just keep trying and you'll see that every day gets a little bit easier.  Sugar free pops were a lifesaver for me and helped me get at least half of my liquids in.  Just don't get store brand (publix or kroeger) they are made with sorbitol and did a number on me.  Get Popsicle brand and you should be good!

I've had a string of days where I didn't drink enough water.  I was feeling so badly, I used Hydralyte powder to help me get back to hydrated quickly.  I don't know if anyone else on here recommends that.