I'm 4 weeks post-op today.  On our meal plan, I'm supposed to eat 3 meals a day (1/3 cup each), plus 2 protein shakes, plus 64 ounces of water.  I'm not supposed to drink any fluid within a half hour before I eat or after I eat. 

I'm finding there is not enough hours in a day.  How in the heck do/did you force down that much food/fluid in your waking hours?  I know, I know all about the "sip constantly" theory, but there are many times that I feel like if I drink/eat just one more gulp/bite, I'll vomit. 

What's the secret?

i cant help but im wondering the same thing... i have my surgery next month.. blessed be

LMBO I'm a month out and was just complaining about this in my last post. I firmly believe and am accepting the fact it will get better. It will for you too

Me. Too!!! I will be 3 weeks out this week and I'm exhausted... Writing what time I eat and drink... I think I have to get up at 5am to start my day off because of the fluid intake and waiting to eat in between drinking... And I have not even gone back to work yet!!!!!

It gets easier.  I sip all day but between meals I can drink a few ounces at a time w/ no issues.  I couldn't even a month ago.  I'm 12 weeks now and just now regularly able to get in ALL my water.  I'm hitting closer to 100 oz of water a day now.

General Disclaimer:

 

This is just what worked for me. I am not suggesting to anyone that they follow this same regimen. I am a very structured, time-conscious person, and need a very set meal schedule, and I'm totally a "number person". While this worked for me, I realize it will not work for everyone, so please no arguing or saying that your surgeon said to do something different. This is what was prescribed to me after struggling for several weeks, and much trial and error. As always, do what is best for you, per your program, per your surgeon, per your nutritional and post-op needs.

 

 

It's tough in the beginning so don't beat yourself up right now. The most vital part of recovery is staying hydrated.Protein is necessary, but fluids are more important. For me, I drank 2ounces of clear fluids every 15 minutes that gave me 8oz per hour. Over an 8 hour time period, I hit the 64oz mark easily. With "eating" meals, 4 meals per day, each meal is to last no more than 30 minutes and wait 30 minutes before consuming liquids after eating. So, for this to work, you need to allot 12 hours per day for eating and drinking. Wake up, start drinking, at meal time, eat your meal (20-30 minutes) wait 30 minutes, there is 1 hour. Start drinking in hourly increments. At your next meal time, you will take the same hour break from drinking. I hope that all makes sense. This was my best regimen and tried several for the first few weeks and just found it overwhelming. I took my vitamins with meals because they were chewable. When I went on pill form for my calcium, I took them right before I started eating to make sure I had something immediately in my stomach. Most of us are up at a bare minimum of 16 hours a day with an 8 hour sleep time. Other have less time which gives them more time to drink more fluids. If you can consume ounces every 15 minutes, do it. You aren't going to stretch anything out, or hurt yourself with fluids at this point. The more fluids you get in, the better you will feel, let the protein be a priority as well even if 1-2 of meals have to consist of a protein drink/shake. Thin it out so it's easier to consume if thick liquids bother you. If you can stomach them mixed with water and ice, those count as clear fluid consumption. Just don't panic and stress out over the numbers right now. You're gonna do great. Take naps if necessary, even a 30 minute power nap will help you recover. I never had to follow the rule of "no drinking 30 minutes before a meal" since we have a normal stomach functioning stomach and not a pouch like band/bypass patients. But, some docs keep this same rule for all patients. Luckily, I didn't ever have to follow that one. If you do have to follow that rule, adjust the schedule of eating/drinking to accommodate for those additional 30 minutes.

pretty much what I did. Started when I woke up and kept going for 12 to 13 hours, just like USAFwife said. Worked great for me. However, I did nap the first week so add another 2 hours to the 12 and there you have it!
It's work - no doubt about it. Just gotta roll up your sleeves and get to it.

 Just do it.  Honestly its that simple.  The more you do it, the easier it will become.  I had 120 ounces of water today.  I could have had more, I started working on getting 64.  I also had 10 ounces of chicke, 1 cup of greek yogurt, 1 cup of cottge cheese, and 2 cheese sticks.

It gets easier, but you owe it to yourself to stick with the plan.

It really is a full time job for the first several weeks. My students got used to my eating and drinking patterns (I pretty much had to eat in front of certain classes to make my schedule work out at first), and they actually got to the point where they would remind me to eat... lol!

It does get easier. Right now you're still swollen internally, which makes it harder to get everything in. Eventually you'll be able to drink more at a time, and then the rest of it will start to get easier too.

Keep pushing

Get on a schedule, that is what helped me. This is my typical day:

9:30-10:30 protein shake ( 16oz)
11:00-11:30 protein snack (cheese stick, egg,etc.)
12:00-1:30 water water water
2:00-2:30 lunch
3:00-4:30 water water water
5:00-6:30 protein shake
7-7:30 dinner
8-bedtime water water water

It really helps and you get so use to doing things at the same time that it keeps you on track! Try your own and see if that works!

 This advice is very helpful for me...I just posted that I am a bit overwhelmed with this post-op regime, but I think I need to give myself a break and try to get into a little routine and adjust as necessary as I heal.

i remember those days. seems impossible. just do the best you can getting in as much fluid and protein drink as possible. don't force yourself. fluid and protein are most important. let other things slide if you have to. it will get easier. diane

What USAWIFE said!

Also, keep a water bottle on your nightstand so you can have a few sips before bed, if you wake up thirsty or need to go to the restroom, and to sip right when you wake up, one always in your car so you can sip in traffic while driving, one in your purse so you can sip if you go to a movie. Just always have fluid. That is the most important thing. Protein in form of a shake is great because it helps you fulfill your fluid AND protein requirements.

It really does feel like a "job" a lot of the time. It is what it is...but it is NECESSARY! You'll get more accustomed to it with time and it will be second nature.

Thank you, everyone.  I guess I just need to push thru it and challenge myself at times.  I'm glad that I'm not the only one feeling very frustrated right now, but not so happy that many of you are having struggles too. 

To top it all off, I'm having a problem finding a protein shake that agrees with me.  I've tried several kinds, but still not happy with any of them.  It's also a struggle to force that nasty stuff down.  Yuck! 

My best advice about the protein is to try:

UNJURY (online) unflavored and mix into a SF choc pudding.  Once mixed, Let it sit a minute and stir again.  It's thinned out adding the powder but good.  It's what I survived on for 4 months.

MATRIX 2.0 (by syntrax) in the flavors mint cookie and cookies and cream.  Tastes like a melted blizzard or something.  Not too sweet, but delicious and you can't taste the protein.  Fantastic find! I ordered the big 5 lb bags of each because they are so delicious. Protein never went down so easy!  good luck!