Stabbing self in head with finger ..........

Nope my NUT and dietician are both at WOMACK. That is where I started when i began this journey.

P.S. I tried to call you earlier.......LOL

Hmm...that makes me wonder: How much protein should I (42 yo female/ 5'8") be getting daily? The hospital & doctor's office nutritionists both said 60 g/day. Any thoughts?

The ASMBS suggests 1.1 gram per kilogram of ideal body weight, which works out to about half a gram per pound.  Divide your goal weight in half and that's approximately how much protein you'll need.  Now, very active people may need more. 

60 grams a day is probably good if your ideal weight would be 120.  But at 5'8" I'm guessing your ideal weight would be a bit higher than that, right?

Thanks Kelly! That helps a lot! It sould be higher since my goal weight is 160. I'll up the protein and see if that helps my progress. :)

When you get labs done, you can also look at your protein level and adjust if needed.  That'll tell you if you're getting enough or not.

As Kelly said - once you start getting your labs - you want the proteins to be in mid range - in the 7's.  And if they are not - then you may need to start adding. A shake a day - 20 gr. Do that for a while and test. Journal;.
The more muscles you have and want to keep - the more protein you may need.

Even with 60 per day - you may need to try to get a few extra, so your average is no less than 60 gr.  In the first year - I had days that I could not do that, but then made sure I did more the following days.
I am 5.4 but with a large frame and lots of muscles. on 80 g per dy (everage ) my bloodlevel showed low-normal.  Eventually I had to increase to 120-160 per day. I have been doing that last year and finally my levels are "mid normal". 
You want to keep your muscles. At last as much as you can - so getting a bit more - if you can - may help you to maintain them. If you do not provide enough proteins - your body will use your muscles to get what it needs.

Like others you will get there but it will take time.  I can now do 24oz in 15-20 minutes with little effort.  I routinely do 70-80oz of water in my 2 hours at the gym, but again it didn't happen over night.

The first week or two I could not get hardly anything in. Dr Classen said  the main thing to concentrate on was to stay hydrated. In the beginning you will not be able to get much down  due to the swelling.  I found a protein drink that with a high amount of protein to help my favorite has 25g and with milk that adds a few more grams of protein. I gradually got to where I need even now somedays it is hard.

You haven't had surgery yet - right??

You are asking about pre-op or post-op??

Pre-op you should be able to meet these goals easily.  Post-op you will be focused on liquid and protein for several weeks/months.  So - combine the two - drink your protein in the beginning.

Hurrah to your NUT for wanting you to get good levels of protein.  We need it for healing and energy.

You will need to get the 65gm minimum and work up to over 100gm.  I did it and you can too.  It is challenging to find protein you like, but don't give up.  Our taste changes so much in the months following surgery that you need to keep trying new brands and flavors.

I still use whey isolate protein powders or ready to drink twice a day at 28 months out.

Best wishes.

I am a PRE-op right now and I do not get HALF that amount a day in right now because with this heat I am having issues with not feeling hungry.

I was asking about AFTER surgery...... I think I will be able to do it. Heck I KNOW I can do it. Mind over matter I guess but not to so much that I feel like I will ASSplode.