2 Questions for you WLS grads

I am just a little over 5 months out and had some questions for you all.  First of all...water. 

I was good about getting my 64 oz of water in a day for the first 4 months, but for the past month, I've only gotten in 32-40 oz a day.  I take my 32 oz water jug with me everywhere and try to sip all day.   At work sometimes it gets so busy, I don't get a chance to sip in between calls (I work in an in-bound call center) and it's hard to get in 32 oz before lunch like I used to.   I try to make goals and get a certain amount of water in by 3pm and then by 8pm.   I worry about kidney stones if I'm not getting enough water, my doc said to at least be getting 50 oz a day.   So 32 isn't too far from that, but I know I need to get more than that every day!  My urine is a really light yellow so that is a good sign that I'm not dehydrated, right  ?   So my questions are....What is the harm (besides kidney stones and that is major thing) when you don't drink enough water (the 64 oz a day at least)?  How do you make sure you get your water in and how much do you drink a day?


And 2nd question is about protein.   My surgeon reccomended I get 50 gms of protein in a day (calculated it from my body weight ?), but advises AGAINST protein supplementation and to just get it from food.   Well at 2 1/2 months out, I started losing hair and at 3 months, I started supplementing once a day with a protein shake to get more protein in (it's 23 gms/protein for the shake).  Thankfully it stopped 2 months later, but I want to keep up my protein so I don't get hair loss happening again (even though I think most of it's over with). 

Some days, I get to that 50 gms of protein and then some days I only get like 40 gms because I don't do the shake and just get the protein from actual food.    I am constantly worrying about what I can eat and what there is to eat for me (and getting bored of what I am eating)  .   I like to cook and have found a lot of things that work for me, but like to switch things around so I don't get bored.    Is it still this hard the further out you are from surgery or is it just the first year it's hard to get your protein in and finding high protein foods to eat?  I eat protein first and then the other stuff after that if I'm still hungry, but it's hard focusing so much on protein, protein, protein all the time.   I'm still adjusting to my new lifestyle diet I guess.  I read about these people that are getting in 100 gms+ of protein a day and am AMAZED  and hope one day that is me!!  I want to try these SBD pizzas that have 30 gms or so of protein, but only can eat half right now probably because I'm not even 6 mos out yet. 

Does it get better?    Thanks everyone! 

Christie,

Yes getting the water in is hard, I've always struggled with it.  You lose better when your fluids are high.  Remember that you can count any non-caloric, non-caffeinated liquid.

As far as protein is concerned, I've never understood why some Docs and Nuts insist that your protein must come from food.  I generally have 2 protein drinks, some times more.  Most long term successful grads continue to drink protein.  The important thing is that dense protein will fill your pouch and keep you satisfied longer.

Hope this helps a little.

Michele

first of all let me say that you should not stress over this.

these are goals we should try and reach, but some days we will do better than others.

first the fluids

water is essential, but anything you drink without caffeine counts,so iced tea, crystal light things like that count towards your totals. i try and start my day with a glass of water, before i hit the decaf coffee im addicted to.  i find i do much of my water sipping or other fluids after work and at night.

second the protein

some doctors seem to be fixated on getting your protein through food.  most long term weight loss patients still supplement with protein drinks and I for one, dont see the harm in this.
if thats what you need to boost your protein intake for the day, go with it.  getting the protein seems more important to me than the source of the protein.  if i had to count on food protein in my first year,  i would never ever have taken in enough.  i could not eat too much at all for a long time.

lastly

dont worry about the amounts other people are consuming, worry about how you feel, how your weight loss is going and try and progress day by day to reach your goal.  we are all different and will take different paths to weight loss success.

sounds to me like your doing fine.

be safe and well, jacki

I get between 110-130g of protein almost daily, on 1200 calories. How it's done isn't much of a mystery-- we post our daily food intake on Dawn's post every day-- maybe take a good look at those and see what other people are doing?

I stopped supplements by two months out and and never had less than 70g a day.

You can do better than an SBD pizza. Make your own-- if you use a tortilla you can get it as a whole grain, you can get loads less carbs, and add your own toppings that will add up better.

It's not hard-- all the resources you need are right here. Ask a lot of questions, shop smarter, and it will become second nature quickly.

thanks for your responses so far, I'm feeling a little better about things.

And Jackie, I'm like you with water.  I find myself trying to cram most of my water in from 3pm until 10pm to get my quota in each day.   But I hate doing that because the later I drink water, I'll be up at night peeing!  I love my sleep and hate to get up even once to pee at night! 

This will not be a popular statement--most will disagree.  Unfortunately, I can't come up with exact documentation on this, but . . . I have read/heard that the "must drink at least 64 oz. of clear fluids" rule is not absolutely valid.  While I absolutely do believe that it is good to drink plenty of fluids for our systems to work well and to help us feel fuller between meals, I believe the 64+ ozs. is an arbitrary amount.  I have read/heard that if your urine is pale yellow, your body is getting enough, and you're fine--no need to overly force huge amounts.  So . . . I drink not only when I'm thirsty, but also just throughout the day (I almost always have a large insulated glass of water, Crystal Light or whatever with me), and some days I still don't get in the recommended amount cause I just got extra busy.  Most of the time I do fine.  Of course, like several others commented, we get considerably more water than we think--from our food.  (I do realize that the recommendation is for 64 extra ounces.)

I think protein is protein, but it does seem that most doctors prefer we eventually get it from food.  Not all Drs., however, agree w/ this.  I'm not sure, but I kinda assume that since liquids obviously go through our systems quickly, this type of protein probably doesn't have the same "satisfaction factor" (full feeling) that protein from food does.

I think you sound like you're doing great!  Just strive for the goals you've been given; you won't have perfect days.  Eventually,  you'll find what works for you, and in the meantime, you're doing fine!

I agree with your fluids statement - I believe DrOz addressed this on Oprah... MSN health also has an article about it as well :-)

A suggestion on the water...Get a smaller container. 24 ounces or even 16 seems more manageable and just disappears rather than slogging through 32 ounces..

I have a 24 oz container with me when I'm in the car. That's 48 ounces to and from work. Then I watch the clock and as SOON as it's been 30 minutes, another bottle. Seems that 24 ounce bottle disappears pretty quick. 5 of those is a gallon...

The car idea came to me because each time my husband starts up the car, he lights up a cigarette...If he can have a bad habit that centers around that car starting up...I can have a GOOD habit that works for me too. I have a bottle with me during meetings at work, while I'm shopping...Next to the bed..While I"m watching television (unless it's NSA chocolate cocoa with a home made Sugar free Marshmallow). Yum.

Im not sure about what would happen if you dont get enough water in... however I just wanted to make this suggestion - are you drinking and driving? I can get in 8oz during my drive to work... another 8oz on the way home from work... make sure you are drinking every chance you get.

My surgeon liked his patients to stopped protein supps by 6 months out, at 5 months out I was down to drinking 20g of protein via an isopure 'now and then'... most of my 60+grams of protein was from food. Its really a matter of planning and getting in high protein foods... aim to eat 20-30g protein per meal and then do a few additional high protein snacks as well. Once you get it figured out its not all that hard. Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, turkey jerky, tuna fish, chicken etc all pack a good amount of protein... get it where you can! I know its hard to focus right now but you are only 5 months out, further out you will be able to eat more so you can start to move more variety into your diet... the focus wont be so much on protein as it will be on balance.

 

Surgeons are like anyone else in life.  They all have their opinions. The key is for YOU to know what your body does better on.  Me, I gotta get in my protein and I get in 100 grams a day average. It's not the least bit hard.  I have my usual soy protein shake for breakfast just as I have for almost three years now.  I make mine from 4 oz unsweetened silk soy milk, 4 oz prepared cold instant coffee.  1 scoop of vanilla bean ON (Optimal Nutrition) soy protein powder.  Very low carb, very high protein:-)  28 grams.  I also have two servings a day of 4 oz fresh protein for lunch/dinner.  Usually chicken or fish.  Fish has more protein than chicken, around 25 grams for that 4 oz serving.  I have three snacks a  day.  I buy those 1 oz prepackaged peanuts from Sams Club and carry them with me everywhere.  I average 2 of those a day which are a perfect balance of protein/carbs with good fat.  I also eat cheese and I average 5-7 servings a day of fruit/veggies.  In the afternoons I drink a bottle of isopure which is 40 grams of protein, 168 calories a bottom. 

Water I really struggle with.  I have Crystal Springs water coolers both in my office at work and here at home because I like it really cold.  And often I will check off a list that I put in a place I have no choice but to see it thru the course of my day which reminds me to drink, drink,drink! lol