Question:
Am I really suppose to be eating/drinking every hour?

I am 7 days out from my RNY. I am consuming 4 ounces per hour of either crystal lite water, muscle milk, strained pea soup, cottage cheese or jello. I feel like I am putting more into my body now than I did before my surgery. Am I over doing it? It is a job to keep this 4 ounces up every hour. Am I doing this right?    — Lauri D. (posted on March 29, 2010)

March 29, 2010
You're doing fine. I felt the same way but I promise you are not eating/drinking too much. Just keep up those fluids for sure. It is hard to get to the 64 oz goal in the beginning. I didn't realize that it's something you have to work up to. I was panicked I was going to dehydrate before my family's eyes...lol. Journal your food intake and you will see that you are not eating too much. Don't worry about calories or carbs right now, just focus on getting in your protein, fluids and supplements according to your surgeon and/or NUT's eating plan. Those are challenges enough. It gets easier in time because you will eventually be back to eating more normally. I eat 3 'regular' meals with 1-2 snacks a day but I was probably 6 months out before I could achieve that. For now just practice the rules and keep sipping up until 30 minutes before/after your food meals even though meals are still pretty much liquids or mushies right now. And try to make your 'meals' count with as high of protein as you can muster into the couple of ounces you are able to eat right now.
   — Arkin10

March 29, 2010
It's tough to get in all they require during the beginning weeks... don't worry! You're doing great if you can get all that fluid in. If you have any questions call your surgeons office... that's what they are there for :) ~live as if all your dreams came true~
   — fortywhat2

March 29, 2010
My clinic recommends eating 3 meals a day only...while losing. No snacking. snacking can lead to grazing...and yes drink as much as possible. It won't happen over night that you consume all the fluid, but it will happen over a week or two that you should be able to get 64 ounces in. Soups and other fluids count, so add them too! Try heating v-8 juice up and spooning it in like soup. I used to season it up a bit. Made me feel like I was getting food, but its aliquid. Good luck to you and congrats ont he surgery! hugs,kim
   — gpcmist