Question:
Watre restrictions, protein and meds?
— Lynn W. (posted on September 2, 2007)
September 2, 2007
Hey Lynn, I got all of my vitamins (childrens chewable x 2), calcium,
pepcid and Gas-x in chewable forms. As far as the medication, I crush them
all and mix a bit of water and also some Snapple Diet Lemonade. About 2
ounces after it is all mixed. The Snapple has a really strong taste and
helps mask the meds.
The fluids I take in 2 ounces every 15 minutes to try to reach the 55
ounce per day quota. According to the informational packet....you can take
2 ounces of fluid every 15 minutes. The shakes are considered to be a MEAL
and I have those 3 times a day. Even still I am also feeling that I am not
getting the protein needed. The Carnation Instant Breakfast shake seems to
taste the best as opposed to the Atkins & EAG shakes. But yes...to me
they still taste icky!...lol. Good Luck and I hope this helps. I am
only 2 weeks post-op myself.
— MariaRN
September 2, 2007
Yes, you can do it! My biggest problems have been the protein and taking
all my pills when crushed....yecch! but for now I have had all my meds
changed to either liquid or crushable and I have found to let the
crushables disolve in some water or other in a 30cc cup and then drink it
down quick and chase it with a protein drink. I don't know how much it
affects the strengh of the medicine, but I haven't had any problems yet, in
fact with WLS have reduced and removed some of my meds totally! Try
different protein drinks with maximum protein and few calories. There are
many out on the market! As far as water restrictions.... I thought we were
suppose to drink as much as possible, just not with or immediately around
meal times.... guess you will need to get that clarified.
Best Wishes....
— wheezer53
September 2, 2007
go to Trader Joes and get OLD WORLD SHAKES they are 35 grams of protein
each. If you are diabetic like me, take your meds with SF applesauce, or SF
pudding. Swallow each seperately, unless they are really big, you don't
need to crush them. I was doing that 2 days post op. I take 2 centrum
vitamins perday and 2 calcium. Iron and B12 weekly under the tongue. I am
not limited to 2oz per meal. I take anything up to 6 oz. My shakes I count
as liquid, but count the calories and protein and oz of liquid. Keep the
calories somewhere between 600 and 800 per day. It really isn't so
confusing.
— bderuiter
September 2, 2007
I drink Dr. Atkins protein drink in the morning (6 month post-op) and for
me it is a meal replacement. My job is sedentary and therefore I drink
more than I eat. I usually don't eat until I get home from work and that's
usually a salad, or chili, or chinese food. Sometimes we cook a steak and
I'll eat off that for at least 3 days.
Yes it is a challenge to get in the protein and water that you're suppose
to get in; however, that has to be done. Vitamins, I don't take all of
them in the morning -- I break it up through the day and some I take at
night. I work with a person that is a fitness buff and he takes his
vitamins at night so that his body is dormant and the vitamins can do
whatever it is they are suppose to do while our body is at rest. So you
don't have to take all your vitamins in the morning at one time.
— the7thdean
September 2, 2007
You won't really be limited in the amount of fluids you can have. Most of
us have a hard time getting in fluids right after surgery because we just
aren't interested in them. I was told that I had to drink one ounce of
liquid every fifteen minutes, and that felt like a lot the first week.
After the tiniest sip I found I didn't want any more. As far as the protein
drinks go, my nutritionist counts them as liquid, but not solid, so that
when you get to the point where you are having solids but not allowed to
have anything to drink after eating (if that's what your nut. tells you,)
the protein shake won't stop you from having something to drink.
— packrat
September 3, 2007
Luckily for me I don't have to take a lot of meds but from all that I have
been reading here that Protein can be achieved through shakes or powder put
in soups, as for the fluid I have been told by my nut and close friends
that have had this it should take 1 hour to drink an 8oz cup of water so
you are sipping on something all day long, as for the vitamins I too have
been told to split them up as to when I take them as they are not all
absorbed properlyif all taken together. I an still pre op due to have it
on the 24th but I have been reading and asking all that I can as I too was
getting confused and these are the answers I have been being given.
— GeorgiaD
September 3, 2007
I take 16 tablets & capsules in the AM, 9 mid-day, and 11 in the
evening before bed. Each batch goes down all at once. You can train
yourself to do this. I did it by learning at first to swallow finely
crushed ice and then increasing the size of the ice chunks. When you gag on
the ice there is no real problem because the ice melts rapidly before any
harm is done. I haven't tried swallowing a sword yet but the large number
of pills that I take daily are no longer a problem. <P.S.> After
surgery I was advised to crush my meds prior to taking them. That did NOT
work for me since those crushed up pieces taste awful and are
"scratchy", both of which meke me gag. I like to take my
"whole" meds with my protein "smoothie" that I mix up
each morning.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 3, 2007
To be very honest, I think it was 6-9 months before I got everything liquid
and protein wise. My saving grace was protein drinks by Protidiet. They
only require 4-5 ounces of water and have 15 grams of protein. GNC also
caries a couple of liquid proteins under their Properformance brand. That
has 18grams per serving. Actual volume of the drink depends on the person.
They say you can drink it straight (which I think is about 3 teaspoons), I
drank it straight ONCE>>YUCK It took about 5-6 oz of sugarfree
fruitpunch to make it okay to drink. By the way I am 22 mos out and very
grateful that I can drink pretty much normal amounts.
— tazthewiz23
September 3, 2007
Dear Lynn: I too have to take alot of meds for other health problems. I
started taking them with applesauce, before meals, but it turned out to be
too acicic for me, so I buy a can of peaches in light syrup or water, wash
the peaches, put them in the blender and mush. Its more liquidy than
applesauce so actually goes down easier. I was told that the protein shakes
NEVER take the plave of meals. I make a protein shake and drink half about
1/2 hr after breakfast (as slowly as I need to) and save the rest for
around three in the afternoon. Its gonna depend alot on your own schedule.
Now I dont know what surgery you had I had D/S Gastric Bypass. Good Luck -
Shelley
— shelleyjean39
September 3, 2007
I am a clinic coordinator for a program as well as a former patient and
this is how I did it. I had a protien shake in the morning, but I made sure
the protien I was using was at least 20 grams per serving, so you do not
have to use as much. I also had unflavored handy to cook in my eggs, mashed
potatoes and soups and so on for an added boost, I did not always use the
unflavored in my food but I had it for a boost if needed. You can crush the
meds and take them with a little water, or put them in a small bite of
homemade applesuce or sugar free pudding to get them down and space them
out. I then ate my small meals during the day and kept track of the protien
in the food I was eating. Finally I had a shake in the evening and I had no
problems. The key is to have a protien supplement thet is 20-25 grams per
serving so you do not have to use it as often.
— carcar01
September 4, 2007
First let me say that you are NOT limited on the amount of fluid you
consume. The limitations are applied to the times that you drink fluid.
Good health requires 8 glasses of fluid a day and that means you have to
drink this on purpose. Limit the amount of fluid you have with meals to
small sips to wet your mouth and 1 hour before and after your meal drink
water and other low calorie fluids to you hearts content. I take my meds
mid morning but if you take meds throughout the day you will need to plan
on the best time. I would suggest taking them one hour before a meal drink
lots of room temp water to completely was them through. If I don't get my
meds washed through it can upset my stomach. As for protien, please try
New Whey. They are test tube sized protien supplements that are very
concentrate in Protien coming in 25mg and 42mg doses. Drinking a 25mg New
Whey in the morning takes some of the pressure off concerning how much
protien you consume in your meals. As a new patient, when it is difficult
to eat solid foods this is a very simple solution. In my area, Fort Worth,
TX, they are sold at the vitamin shop and at Dr. Smith and Ferrara's
office.
— KAESMITH
September 5, 2007
Hi everyone and thanks so much for all the great advice and help. I'll
print this page and keep it for future reference.
Thanks to everyone and wish me luck!
Lynn
— Lynn W.
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