Question:
I've read your suppose to get between 60 & 120 grams of protein a day.

You're also suppose to drink 2 quarts of water a day. This seems like a lot to put in that little bitty tummy. Is this hard to do or am I just stressing for no reason. My surgery isn't til Sept.29.    — hannah R. (posted on August 23, 1999)

August 23, 1999
Dear Hannah Rae---No, its not too difficult, but it does require advance planning. You should have water with you at all times--when you mix dry protein with that, it still counts as your water, so you get credit for both water and protein, if that makes any sense. Charlene
   — charlene M.

August 23, 1999
I wouldn't worry to much about how much you can eat and drink. Just eat as often as you can and make sure it is protein. Cottage cheese, milk, what ever you can get down will save your hair falling out from lack of protein. As far as drinking water, I was told that I couldn't drink more than two tablespoons of a liquid at a time. So I probably didn't get in my two quarts of liquid a day. As long as your bladder isn't being effected by lack of fluid then you will be alright. Just do your best and try to eat protein as much as possible and take small sips of water all day long. I have been post-op 1 1/2 years. Very healthy and down 115 pounds.
   — Ellen M.

August 23, 1999
You get a protein that will shake up easily or you can take by the spoonful. You gradually develop a rhthym that lets you start your day with 30g of protein, sip water as you go along, take yoru vitamins, get another 30g of protein, sip more water, etc. It gets easier as time goes on. It's just the food that is hard to get in for awhile!
   — vitalady

August 23, 1999
I think, and have experienced for myself, that you are stressing yourself for no 'real' reason. If you gulp down fluids now you may run into trouble with air pockets after surgery. You have to take smaller more frequent amounts. What I do is take a drink of liquid and hold it in my mouth and then sort of divide it up and make three or four swallows out of it. I am not sure that I have explained myself very well. I am sorry about that. But practice it before hand. And the other thing I found helpful is to have a couple of good insulated glasses so that you can have them around longer. It takes time to consume 8 glasses a day even for a person who didn't have wls....you can keep drinking what you like and keep it handy and fresh for you to enjoy. Good luck!
   — Wendy Sue D.

August 24, 1999
Hi Hannah, I am 2 months post op and the only time i had trouble getting enough fluids down was the first couple of weeks. Now I make a protein drink (2 1/2 scoops of powder and 8 ounces of soy milk, and about 6 or 8 ice cubes) in the morning, it comes out to about 2 and 1/2 cups and then it takes me about 2 or a little more hours to drink it. That way I have my 60 grams of protein done and then I nurse a bottle of either water or crystal light the rest of the afternoon and in the evening I eat a jar of baby food. So see it is really not all that hard to do. You are just drinking all of the time. You need to so you don't get dehydrated. Good Luck. Will keep you in my thoughts. Cheri
   — Cheri H.