Liquid Question

I am one week out as of yesterday and I am having a rough time with all the drinking! I drink from the time I get up until I go to bed so that I can get in the 60 grams of protein and the 64oz of water. Im falling short Im getting about 40-50grams of protein and about 40-50 oz of water. I feel stuffed! Im nervous about stretching out the new pouch I read on the soup question that some of you were saying it goes right through you like drinking durning your meals...is that the same for this stage? My NUT is pretty much slapping me on the hand because I cant get in the 60/60 Will the liquid just go through or is it going to stretch?

At one week out, your pouch is small and healing. It is important to get in as much protein and water as possible. Many people do not get it all in. However, you need to try to get there. It will get easier as your pouch heals. You don't stretch your pouch with liquids. The reason we aren't supposed to drink while eating is because the liquid flushes the food out of the pouch quicker and you don't stay as full. Right now, you are drinking liquids. It is important to stay hydrated and get in as much protein as possible. Don't beat yourself up if you fall short. I know very few people who drank 64 oz of water and got 60 grams of protein in. The reason they set this as a goal is because there are new post-ops who fall far short of this goal and become either dehydrated or don't get in the protein their body needs to sustain itself. Do the best you can for now. In a few weeks it will get much easier. Happy melting!!! Jon

Congrates Christine, Good for you for at least trying, that is all anyone can ask, everyday will get easier. Your pouch is extremely swollen so don't beat yourself up, but do what you can. Are you walking as much as possible? That will help things move, so you can get more in. Good luck to you and God Bless---Toni

My NUT advised 64 oz of liquid, whi*****ludes sf popcicles and your protein drinks. So when I drank instant breakfast or yogurt smoothies with extra milk added, it counted as both a protein and a liquid. You might try to do more protein enriched liquids so you get to kill two birds with one stone. And I agree with everyone else. Sometimes it's impossible and you have to do the best you can.

I put a scoop of AnyWhey in my hot chocolate or soup (17 grams of protein per scoop). This works very well especially the first few weeks. I still put a scoop in my yogurt 3 days a week just to make sure I get enough protein. I usually do get enough from my food but extra won't hurt either.

This is a good one! I just got home from meeting with my nut we have a post-op group (6 weeks) and she meet with us individualy for a few minutes goes over our food (liquid) journal...She tells me that I am doing great to keep trying in the next few days to take a little bigger sips because I am so close to the 60/64 that they want me to be for the first few weeks...then she asked me is I would like to know what my goal for protein actually is and what I need to work towards...I said well yes of course! I guess they base it on our height and build, our frame I am 5'10" and have a large frame so my goal for protein is 85 grams! Then she says do you even know what your goal weight is and me Im thinking around 200 I would be happy (my starting was 382) she says my ideal weight is 165 wow! This is going to be fun...Im really excited! It helps too that I am down 20 pounds I dont think I have ever lost 20 pounds! Heres another one... what about calorie intake what do you think I should be at? I have been maybe around 300-400 calories a day I think I am under way under I had 1/2 a bottle of isopure (the 20oz flavored drink ) those are like 160 for the entire bottle I have had half of one today so my calories are very low I will drink the rest tonight (working on it now) but that will be 160 calories for today I have had water all day...should I even worry about calories at this point?

Hi Christine, One bit of advice, and this goes for the rest of your life: Maximum protein-Minimum Quantity. The less you have to eat for maximum protein content, the better off you'll be. I think you're doing great. I would definitely start adding protein powders though. Unflavored powder can be added to just about everything. The one I use has 23g per scoop, and actually is pretty good tasting. I mix the scoop with one cup of water or skim milk and sip over 1/2 hour or so. I have to use an immersible hand mixer but it's worth it when I am getting 31 grams of protein in only 8 ounces fluid (an example of "max. protein/min. quantity"). I simply can't afford the Isopure and other brands that are already made, so I forced myself and got used to the powders. I do however, buy the EAS AdvantEdge shakes. They taste good and are only 11 ounces with 17g protien and almost no sugar. As far as calories are concerned, remember that calories are units of energy. Not enough and we become sluggish. Too many calories are stored as fat. Low-fat calorie intake is fine as long as you are exercising and getting your protein. I have never counted calories, except the "calories from fat" content. I try to keep that as low as possible. IMO, 160 calories a day is not enough to fuel your body under normal cir****tances. But since you are just now post-op, I would be more concerned with quantity -- get in your 64 ounces each day and that includes SF popsicles, jellos, broth. It doesn't have to be all water. The protein will be easier once you get on purees and softs. Keep up the good work! KathyG

Sorry...I wanted to add one more thing... My NUT makes me crazy...I do my best to take her advice and continue to follow up with her but Number 1, she has a very thick Asian accent and I can barely understand her and she talks really fast. She talks -over- me so I can't get a word in edgewise. Number 2, when I tell her what I am eating, she practically freaks out. I don't know why because according to the literature they gave me pre-op, my NUT classes, and going by how I feel, my weight loss and my labs, I am doing everything right. She even yelled at me for eating the yolk in my eggs--"All the protein in white part. Yolks too much fat. No eat yolks, okay?" I told her "Look, I barely eat anything and what I DO eat is high protein, low-fat, low-calorie, low sugar, low sodium. I eat maybe 4 eggs a week. I am absolutely NOT taking the yolk out. Sorry." Then she was jumping up and down when I said I add 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise to my can of tuna. "Oh No...too much fat. Use only 1 tablespoon no fat kind mayonnaise, yeah? Ok?" I said "no, the extra full fat mayo makes it taste better, mix better, and it goes down easier and if I have to eat the whole can to get the maximum amount of protein, then I am adding mayonnaise to it." She doesn't like it and reminds me every time I see her to "no eat yolk! Only fat free mayo!" I just nod and say, "ok, yeah, whatever." My next appointment with her is April 4 and if, after seeing me and my labs, and my improved health, and the 90+ pounds I have lost; she still harasses me about the mayo and the yolks, it will be my last appointment with her. I'm not gonna drive 3+ hours to see her just to hear her complain. KathyG

Kathy, That must be so frustrating!!!!!! I cannot stand when health professionals are like that. I'm so lucky to have a great NUT that is very realistic and only offers gentle advice and guidance. She even went to lunch with us at Applebee's after one of our support group meetings and never paid attention to what any of us ordered or ate. It's a good thing you are sensible and can do it "on your own". Keep up the good work and the smart eating and you'll be fine without NUT help! Brenda

Sounds like you are doing great Kathy! Guess thats why we call them a NUT right! I bet she eats the yolk and real mayo!