Advice

I need some help. I am 4 weeks post surgery and I am still having trouble getting my protein and water in. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do to get it all in? I am frustrated and very tired and I know its because I don't get enough protein. Any advice would be appreciated.

To get your fluids in, keep a drink with you all the time.  When you go to the bathroom, take your drink along.  Take a sip, pee, take a sip, pull up your pants.  Seriously.  Keep a drink with you all the time and just sip, sip, sip.  Set a timer to remind you to drink if you need to. 

Do you have a protein drink that you like?  Your protein drink counts as fluids, too, so it makes it easy to get both in at the same time.  If you don't have one that you like, go to www.vitalady.com and buy a bunch of samples and try them out.

Kelly

what size sips are we talking about?  I'm a week out from my RNY and no one has told me how big or small the sips should be.

That's a good question. At first I was taking very tiny sips, now it's smaller then a drink but enough to satisfy my thirst. That is a very good point- no one really tells you how much a sip is. Anyone else know?

I was told 1oz every 15 minutes in the beginning.

Most people find that if they take big sips right after surgery, it causes discomfort.  Sometimes a lot of discomfort.  You cannot stretch your pouch or do any kind of damage by taking big sips or gulps or whatever, so if it's comfortable for you to take big drinks, go for it.  But chances are you'll be more comfortable taking small sips.  But you don't need to measure them or anything.

Kelly

I havent found a protein drink that I really like yet. I think they taste horrible. I will check out that website! Thanks! I will definitely start taking my water with me to the bathroom. Any suggestions on what else to drink besides water, milk, juice?

Crystal Light, sugar free Koolaid, Ocean Spray  makes these sugar free cranberry packets like those Crystal Light packets that are good, decaf ice tea, decaf hot tea, decaf coffee, herbal tea (hot or iced), sugar free hot chocolate, sugar free popsicles (counts as liquid), water with lemon or lime in it.

Kelly

Being tired can be a part of not enough protein but I'm going to say that's just part of the surgery at first.I got all mine in and was still tired that will pass.Its hard to get what you can in just do your best it will get easier.

Thanks- that is good to know that I am not the only one who feels so tired. I just can't wait to feel "normal" again.