I really need some help ya'll!!

Good morning everyone.  I think honestly I'm having a "feel sorry for myself week" and I DO apologize for laying this on ya'll, but who better to help than those that are either Going thru it, or have Been thru it!!   Everyone has been telling me HOW GOOD I'm doing since the surgery. (It's been 5mths and 1 week and I've lost 102lbs!!)  I am doing good!  But am I REALLY?  From the things I've seen posted and the things the doc and nut have told me, I'm not coming anywhere near "what I'm suppose to be doing."   I have a HUGE hard time even coming close to getting in enough fluids, and come no where near getting enough protein!  I know that I would be doing better if I COULD do what I'm suppose to!!  I mean come on!!!  HOW IN THE WORLD are we suppose to get in 64-120 oz of "liquid" and 60-80+ grams of protein when we aren't suppose drink the before and after times??  Have I just not found my system?   WELL, I'VE TRIED!!! and I need help!!  I just can't do it!   My mom fusses at me and says I want someone to "do it for me"  well, maybe this is true right now??  Not DO things for me, that's ridiculous lol... but "do" as in give me an example of their day??  Is there anyone out there around where I am or remembers back to that time, that could give me an example of how YOUR DAY IN EATING goes, or was?   I like just about anything, and can tollerate just about anything really.  I do the protein shakes, (I've found a couple that's not too bad) Along with protein bars too.  I use the protein waters and mixes for water that have 5 grams to it instead of water to help get more in.  I add dry milk to anything I can.  But I'm still coming no where near what I should be!! And don't even get me started about how much hair I have lost!! (and am still losing) I KNOW, IM SORRY, this is a BIGGGGGGGGGGG whine fest on my part!!  But I know I am quickly approching the stage that I'm not going to lose the weight because of the surgery!  The stage that I call, "OK BABY, FUN TIME IS OVER!!"lol  I just mean, that I'm starting to work at it more and more now with the ABSOLUTE right foods, drinks, and exercise  and I SO want to do it to the best that we are suppose to.   I know that it is different for everyone, but if I just had "something to go by" it would help so much!! **I ate my first morsel of beef (that wasn't hamburger) last night and kept it down!! wooooooohooooo  So I do know that my pouch is "growing up" lol  STILL can't do turkey or pork though!! lol   It's all good!  I don't really MISS anything.  Well, maybe cheesecake lol  But I don't miss things much and I don't get hungry.  THANK YOU LORD!! lol Anyway, thank you all for letting me whine and for any advice, examples, or help ya'll can give!! 

I'm not far enough out to give any good advice. Right now I'm able to drink about 60ozs a day...which has shocked me. I just drink, drink, drink in between my pureed meals. To get my protein I'm using the 42g protein bullets. I make my Crystal Light, pour 30ozs into my water jug and add half of a bullet. I drink off that the first half of the day and then repeat for the last half of the day. Hope this helps a little! I can't wait to read how others get theirs in. :) Becky

I have never ever recomended going against your Dr's orders, however how are your blood screenings coming back? Are you showing deficiant in certain areas?

I have never been able to get in that much protein and water and I am doing wonderfully. My blood work is awesome, my energy is great, I'm thriving and succeeding.

Sometimes it's better to listen to your body than anyone else. What are you feeling? How is your body responding to what you are taking in? How's your energy levels? Learning to really listen to your body can be so bennificial. No one else can 'feel' things the way you do, so don't be affraid of what your body is telling you.

{{Hugs}}

I am a little over 7 months out...  145 pounds gone.  I feel fantastic.  However, like you I struggle with water and protein...  In fact, my protien comes from food because shakes make me sick.  I was really worried and never said much of anything.  I knew I was not getting in enough water and protien according to my NUT, but I felt fine.  Well.. I was fine.  My bloodwork came back with great results and the only thing low was my potassium.  Easily fixed with some prescription vitamins for two weeks.  We all progress at different rates.  We all have differing advice from NUTs and Docs.  And I am not sure about you, but I go on advice plus how I feel.  Thankfully I feel GREAT!  Just take a deep breath.  You will know for sure after your 6 month bloodwork.  Hopefully you will have more peace after that.

I found proper planning was the only way I could get the water and the protein in early out. If you are only doing 3 meals I suggest adding 2-3 snacks... you can always cut the snacks out later, or cut back on them when you can get more in at your meal time. When it comes to protein you do NOT want to play catch up - you want a good majority in during your breakfast and lunch - if you are aiming for the 80g protein then do 3 meals at around 20g protein each (=60g protein) and two snacks around 10g protein each - or if you want to do 3 snacks then do you meals at 15g protein and snacks around 10-15g. Your meals should be around 1/2 a cup total volume now so you should be able to get in the 15-20g of protein in - especially if you are doing suppliments.  As for water - your protein drinks count towards water, as does soup, popscicles, yogurt and milk. You really want to seperate your 'drinks' from 'meals' but if you are struggling every little bit counts. You need to sip sip sip alllll day long - never be withou****er. I drink 8-12oz of water during my drive to work, I drink anouther 8-12oz during my drive home - theres 2 glasses while Im sitting in the car pretty much wasting time. When I work out I keep sip sip sipping. When I get home in the evening I always have water around.... at work I have a huge bottle of water - I pour it into a cup with ice to make it easier to drink - no unscrewing a cap! Here is an example of my day today - mind you I am further out and eating more calories but it will give you a good idea Drive to work - Homemade chai tea latte - FF vanilla soy milk (10oz) and General Foods SF Chai Mix  Breakfast - South Beach Protein Bar  (I had a Drs appt and they did bloodwork so I needed something easy, typically I eat more than that for bfast) Snack - 6 almonds Lunch - 1/4th of a turkey sloppy joe on a whole wheat bun plus another 2 big spoonfulls of of turkey sloppy joe meat, 1/2 a large banana, few bites of edamame Snack - 1/4th cup light and fit yogurt, rest of edamame, few bites of deli turkey Dinner - I am thinking grilled cheese and veggie soup tonite, not sure and a salad. I bring a big bottle of smar****er to work - its 6 glasses total, I drank 1/2 of it already but load my cup with ice each time - so I had the 10oz this morning, plus the 3 glasses, I count an additional glass for all the ice (for the day, I will fill up the ice 4-5 times) so a total of 42oz of water already. I will finish the bottle by the time I get home so thats 3 more glasses (42+24=66oz), I will drink on average 2-3 (2 glasses is 16 so that +66= 82oz) glasses of water while working out and sip on another 1-2 glasses before bed (1 glass 8 + 82oz = 90oz). So basically when I am not eating I am drinking - you have to stay focused and always have water handy!

I'm just gonna give you a hug and tell you to re-read Jennifer's post, because honestly she's said it all and I can't think of anything that I can add that would improve on it. You have to really plan it at first. I do 3 meals and 2 - 3 snacks a day and break it up pretty much as Jennifer has suggested. I use www.mydailyplate.com to track my intake. It has a feature that allows you to indicate which meal and/or snack you are having ... You might want to do this for a couple of days to see what you are doing and to see where you can make some changes and/or add some protien. At the bottom of the page you can see what your total protien intake is as you go, so you can see if you need to make some adjustments as you progress throught the day. As Jennifer said, remember that your 64 ounces doesn't all have to come from water, so count the additional sources as well.

Wishing you all the best,

Barb

Thanks again for the help everyone!! AND for the hugs!! I have been having a really rough go of it these past couple of days!!  My hubby just doesn't understand it!!  He looked at me this morning and said, "but honey it's not even THAT time for you yet!"  Like we woman aren't allowed to just be grumpy for NO reason!! lol  I just about bit his head off!!  Things ARE ok, I know that.. It's just hard.  BUT WORTH IT!! Love to all of you!! Connie

I can feel your pain. Thankfully my surgeon doesn't require as high protein limits as your's. As for the water, I'm slowly working my way back up to 64 oz. I've made it a couple of times. Most days I get in 48 oz. Like all the others, I keep a cup of water with me at all times. Sipping constantly. I even have my students remind me to sip if they haven't seen me touch my cup in awhile.  As for the cheesecake, Jello makes a wonderful Sugar Free Cheescake pudding. You can even add it to the graham cracker pie crusts. I made it for the Ronald McDonald house and am making it for myself and friends at the tupperware party this weekend. It's easy to add protein powder to this as well.