Need help with protein and water amounts PLEASE

Yesterday I started my protein drinks (7 days post op).  It was not a clear protein.  If I would have finished it it would have been 52 gr. protein (16.7 fluid oz. of water mixed w/powder).  I could not finish the last 2 oz.  Because I drank protein all day I neglected to drink enough water.  By 10pm last night I had only drank 12 oz. of water.  I took a bottle of water to bed with me and drank it all through the night.  You see I'm worried about dehydration because I'm feeling so weak with NO improvement as each day goes by.  I was able to drink 8 oz thru the night.  My question is if I mix a Syntax Nectar fuzzy navel which is 23 gr of protein with water because it is clear (I hope, haven't done it yet) could I count the water I add to that protein as part of my water intake for the day?  I just want to feel better.  I'm not sick or in pain just so weak.  Hope you can help me.  Thanks.

PS.  If the Syntax Nectar is only 23 gr of protein I will need to drink 3 packets in a day?

Count all your fluids not jus****er and definitely those you use for your protein shakes. Yep, 3 of those Syntrax Nectar packets a day as you can. Your number one priority is hydration though, so if you're having to choose, choose hydration. (i.e. mix your shakes with more water or soy milk or Lactaid milk)

--gina

Gina, even if the protein drink is NOT clear i can count that as my fluids?  My doctor only recommended 30 oz for now but everyone is telling me at least 64oz. what is your recommendation?

THANK YOU so much for responding it's so nice to have wonder people that are committed to this board to help others.

64oz of fluids clear and not clear count.

It is perfectly normal to feel weak for the first month.  You just had major surgery and you aren't eating near the food you did a few weeks ago.  It actually took me closer to 2 months to get my strength back.

I count the water I use in my Proteins.   I was told at the beginning to get in at least 60 grams a day so yes that would be 3 protein drinks if you are only counting protein from drinks (that's what I do).  I always get in over 100 now in drinks and any food proteins are a bonus.

I also heard that your saliva breaks down protein so you can't drink the same drink all day if you are drinking straight from the cup.  Another thing I heard was that our bodies can only absorb a certain amount at a time and I'm thinking it's 35 grams but I might be wrong about that number.

Personally I think it's best to spread your protein drinks out throughout the day so your metabolism keeps working.

Roz, even if the protein drink is NOT clear i can count that as my fluids?  My doctor only recommended 30 oz for now but everyone is telling me at least 64oz. what is your recommendation?

THANK YOU so much for responding it's so nice to have wonder people that are committed to this board to help others.

Yes, even if it's not clear.  Count ALL liquid (whether clear or not) towards your fluid intake.  You should aim for about 64oz per day.

The only liquid you shouldn't count toward your total liquids is dehydrating liquids like coffee, which if you drink, offset by drinking the same amount of liquid.  Protein over 40 gr at a time is a waste, so should be spread out throughout the day.  Most people newly out of surgery get their protein through their protein drinks.  I kept a bottle of water next to my bed throughout the night.

You are doing fine.  You can also add crystal lite to your protein drinks if you choose.

Sue

Coffee is not dehydrating. Caffeine drinks have the same mild duretic effect as water. This is old information that many doctors and NUTs keep spreading but it's been disproven many times.

Also, it's not true that you can't absorb more than X grams of protein at a time. This is another myth.

From "ASMBS Allied Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient"

"One popular myth is that only 30 g/hr of protein can be absorbed. Although this is commonly found in both lay and some professional literature, there is no scientific basis for this claim."

http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/resources/bgs_final.pdf

Two articles about it:

http://nakednutritionnetwork.com/30-grams-of-protein-in-one- meal-rule/

http://www.tomvenuto.com/asktom/protein_grams_per_meal.shtml

Thanks everybody for your replies!