Question:
Can you get your water in as you are drinking your protein?

I'm 5 days post op. I get the 3 meals in, the multivitamin and the calcium and sip water all day long. I've tried 2 different protein drinks, myoplex (25Gm) and Extreme Pure (42 Gm). Drinking in all the protein slowly (sip, sip, sip)takes forever. I'd really rather just be drinking straight water - it tastes better to me. I seem to spend all day sipping the protein drink ~ and today, I never got more than half the Extreme Pure finished. So that made it just 21 gm for the day. And I doubt if I got enough water in since the protein drink was taking forever. It made me too full. So, to get to the question ~ when I add protein powder to water, does that water count as part of the 48 oz? If I use the premixed extreme pure can I count that amount of liquid as part of the daily liquid?    — Marian H. (posted on August 5, 2001)


August 5, 2001
I am still pre-op but was wondering the same thing. I asked the nutritionist and she said that the Protein drinks DO count as part of your liquids for the day. Hope this helps.
   — [Anonymous]

August 5, 2001
From what I understand, all the protein you are ingesting can be hard on your kidneys (especially if you go over 60g a day). You need to drink water in addition to the drinks in order to keep your liver and kidneys functional. At 5 days post op you shouldn't be too concerned that you're not getting in all of your protein. Your new stomach is still pretty swollen. Take your time. I didn't start protein shakes until week 3. Then I was able to sip 30 g a day. You may want to speak to your dietician or doctor and specifically ask them how the large amounts of protein will affect your kidneys. There is so much to remember once you are a post op but soon, you will develop a routine. Good luck!
   — Kimberly L.

August 5, 2001
OK, you've chosen 1 thick one there and you might want to wait til you're a bit further out. Myoplex is a meal replacement, so way too high in calories & volume for us. The Extreme PP are great, but you want 1 scoop at a time. This is the grape & tropical? Or the choc/van models? Try ONE scoop in 4 oz and sip that over 1/2 hour. Then later, have the other scoop. The water in it can count toward your total. But if it is the choc/van and only 21g per scoop, you can either do 1-1/2 sc at a time or do one scoop three times to reach your 60g. Protein supps do not bother the kidneys like protein foods do. Because they are predigested, they do not place the same "load" on organs. So much for the good news. The bad news is that you need 64 oz a day of water. That is decaf beverages, like Crystal Light, water & other sugar free stuff.
   — vitalady

August 5, 2001
You are so new post op that it is more important to get the water than the protein! "Drink constantly". Sip "all" the time. Have water next to your bed at night and when you awake for any reason, drink it. You need it bad right now. I would'nt worry about the protein much until you are 10 days to 14 days post op when you will start to feel "alittle better". It took me nine days before I "started" to feel better. I bet at this point you feel like you've made a mistake. ;) But you will feel alittle better soon. Anyway right now the water is the best thing you can do for your body. The protein can wait a week or so until your stomach heals alittle more. Drink, drink, drink. :) PS In a couple of months you will "finally notice" one day that you are not "sipping" but rather "drinking". When that day comes it's great. You probally will never be able to "gulp", but you will drink normal again. But it will probally be around 4-6 weeks post op. But it WILL come Hang in there. It will all start to improve, but sloooowly ;)
   — Danmark

August 6, 2001
Your stomach is still healing and protien is essental, but you don't sound symtomatic of either low protien,it shows up in your blood work.Dehydration is more of a risk and can make you feel truly awful you need fluids to carry out of your body the fat being proccesed, you can tell if you are dehydrated by clasping your wrist or ankle and when release your fingers you have white marks that are from your fingers.Ask for your protien leval from the nurse.
   — Kathryn W.

August 7, 2001
To answer your question....yes
   — Sharon F.

September 3, 2001
I use ProComplex that I buy from Muscledepot.com. Teo scoops gives me 53 grams of protein. I mix it (vanilla)with orange juice and find it quite good. Others that use it also mix it with 50/50 of skim and chocolate skim milk. I still just like the OJ. Water is very necessary, but so is the protein. This was I get the most protein with the least amount of liquid...and it tastes good!
   — Janelle H.

March 3, 2002
I am 6 weeks post op and I ran into the same issue, I don't really like the powders no matter what, and I was still thirsty after taking forever to drink one. I found a liquid protein in my health food store it is by Optimum Nutrition and called Amino 2222 Liquid. I love it. I take a 20 oz. bottle water, 3 tablespoons of Protein Liquid, which is Fruit Punch flavored, and a teaspoon of Sugar Free Tropical punch Kool Aid, cap, shake up and enjoy! This stuff has about 132 calories, 22 grams of Protein, 22,222 milligrams of amino acids, 10 carbs, no fat and no cholesterol. It also comes in Grape! This has really helped me get in my protein, and is easier to carry with me everywhere. There is another one made by TWINLAB, but I didn't like that one as much.
   — Melissa S.

July 4, 2004
Yes, the water mixed with the protein DOES count!!!!!!!!!! Also try adding crystal lite or sugar free juice to the powder instead of water, and yes, it too COUNTS!!!!!!!!!!
   — Julie S.




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