Question:
HELP!! I can not get in my fluids and protein... I am only 20 days post op .
I am able to drink a total of 40-45oz fluids a day and about 35g protein. Since I started on pureed foods I can't get more fluids in than this. Eating the pureed food and then waiting 45-60 minutes to drink is making it impossible to get in the recommended 64oz a day. How do you all do it??? I am very discouraged and am feeling like I am force feeding myself from sunup to sundown. I can drink 3oz at a time. I am worried that I am not doing this right because I have only lost a total of 21 lbs in 20 days. I had a starting wgt. of 225lbs so I know I will probably lose slower than those heavier but I still have the fluid and protein issues. Please anyone with advice or wisdom share with me as I am at a loss with this matter. Thank YOU !!! — MARY W. (posted on June 12, 2002)
June 12, 2002
Do the best you can! That is what we all do! As for me, I was a
devout water drinker prior to surgery, I would get 32 oz down
on my way to work in the morning and I only live 12 miles away.
Post op, I couldn't stand the site or taste of it. I still
have trouble getting it all down, but it is much easier.
Same with the protein. Most days, I do 60-75 gms. The last two
days, lucky if I hit 35. My doc does not support the use of
protein supplements so that is not an option for me. While we
are on the subject, getting all the vitamins down was also
a major challenge until recently. It's a lot to think about
and alot to do. I am four months post op, 70 lb weight loss to date,
NORMAL labs as of Friday, and feel better than I have in years.
Again, do the best you can, it will all fall into place, believe
me! Best Wishes,
— Ann B.
June 12, 2002
At 20 days post op, I'm congratulating you on the ability to get that much
water in already. It took me what seemed like forever to get all my water
in (I still have a difficult time now at 10 months post). My surgeon
required us to be on clear liquids for 4 weeks following surgery. After
day 7 we could start our protein shakes and vitamin regime. Only after the
4 weeks of clear liquids could we transition (with his permission only) to
pureed foods. The main thing to remember is protein first, water, then
food. What I try to do is drink my protein shakes right up to when I'm
going to start eating and that seems to fill me up. As for getting in the
food, we are only allowed to eat 1 oz of food in 3-4 small
"meals" a day. I try to make sure that I drink my protein every
2-3 hours. If (and I mean if) I'm able to get food in, great; but if I am
unable to find time to eat food, that's fine. I'd rather drink my protein
and water than eat. I hope this helps. (60" distal RNY 08/28/01 -90
lbs)
— trtorrey
June 12, 2002
I'd like to know the answer to this also. I'm 8 weeks post-op and I drink
about 20oz of water a day and might get 30 grams of protein in. My problem
is now, I'm NEVER hungry and have to force myself to eat what little I do
eat. I just now started with the 20oz of water, but maybe a week ago, I'd
only get in 4 oz of water. Yes, you heard me right, I said FOUR oz of
water. Pittiful, I know. I'll be watching this post and looking for
answers myself. Thanks for asking the question. As far as the 21lbs in 20
days, isn't that good? I think most heavier ones lose 1 lb a day for about
2 months don't they. Myself, I'm 8 weeks post-op and only have lost 33lbs.
I think at my 3 weeks, I'd only lost maybe 15 lbs, so you are doing great,
I think. I'm also a lightweight at 5'2" and 202lbs. Good luck and
I'll be watching for answers.
— Tina P.
June 12, 2002
I'm with Tina. I do protein supps first, then vited, then water. Food if
I get to it. It's not of great nutritional value to me now, esp in such
tiny portions. And it was never my friend. Some days it's easier to just
do the basics and let the other solid foods go. I also drink protein
shortly before a meal to dull my appetite so I'll eat more slowly and not
as much food. And I start drinking 30 min after solids.
— vitalady
June 12, 2002
Mary, you're doing great. I had surgery the day after you and am having a
very tough time getting everything in. We're supposed to eat every two
hours, but I don't always remember as I haven't been hungry yet. Sometimes
I just feel weak and know I must eat. I have a 32 oz, insulated mug
sitting next to me even as I sit typing to sip on. Try different liquids.
I discovered decaf coffee with some skim milk and sweetener was really good
for my evening dose of pills. Keep up the good work.
— Janis D.
June 12, 2002
To another Mary...I'am 3 weeks out...I have never had any problem with
fluids...If you are eating Jello, popsicles, etc that also counts as fluid
intake. I eat three tablespoons of whatever three times aday. That's it.
Cottage cheese, tuna, chicken salad. Nothing in between but maybe a
popsicle or jello. Your weight loss looks good to me for I have lost 21
lbs in 21 days.
Good luck to you.
— Mary H.
June 12, 2002
Hi Mary, i also am only 22 days post op and have a hard time getting the
water down. some days i cant stand another glass of water. i average about
30 to 40oz a day now. my doc does not support the protien supplements
either. i do just the vitimins. i have lost 18 in 22 days. appt agian
tomorrow and i am hoping for the 20 lb mark. seeing the other posts, i am
also 5'2' and 207 lol. i drink my water with a slice of
orange,strawberry,lemon, or grapefruit in it just to add flavor but still
there are not enough hours in a day. your doing great, just keep drinkin :)
bobette
— Bobette R.
June 14, 2002
Hi. I'm 25 days post op and having the same problem myself. I do good to
get in 20 oz of water and other drinks and my protein consumption is
minute. I just don't have any appetite and generally don't want to put
anything in my mouth. I'm hoping this will get better. By the way, as of
day 22 I'm down 22 lbs.
— Mariann S.
June 14, 2002
I'm 25 days post op and I was having the same problem as you. I asked my
dietician what I should do. I wasn't getting my protein in either. This is
was she told me I could do. Protein shakes mixed with water. Not as a meal
but as a supplement. I drink 16 oz of water before breakfast, wait around
15 minutes, then eat. I wait 90 minutes, then I fix a protein shake( she
said to count that as a liquid also). Once I'm finished with that, I wait
about a half and hour and I eat lunch. Then I have to wait another 90
minutes. Then I drink 16 oz diet snapple, when I'm finished with that I fix
another protein shake(again count as a liquid). This is all at work. By
this time I've already had 40 grams of protein just from the shakes and 64
oz of liquid from shakes, water and diet snapple all before dinner. Then I
go home, cook and eat dinner and sip on 16 oz of water in between. I also
found that I'm able to drink much better if I don't use the sport bottles
but a regular cup. I hope this helps. PS. I started at 231 and today I
weighed 210. Yeah!!!!!!
— Traci B.
June 19, 2002
Thanks for asking this question. I'm going through the same thing (16 days
post op) and it's driving me nuts. I'm having a lot of problems with
finding a protein drink that I can stomach, and I'm lucky if I can get in
32 oz of liquids in a day. I'm a lightweight too (5' 4", started out
at 218 and am at 194 now) I'll be interested to read more posts to this
question!
— Melissa S.
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