How *I* got my fluids in from day 1
First off, the minimum amount of fluids should be 64 ounces a day, more is better. Protein drinks are considered fluids as are sugar free popsicles and jello.
Now, how I did it. I had a shot glass and a timer. Every ten minutes I filled the shot glass to the 1 oz line from the 16 oz bottle on my side table. I sipped the 1 ounce without too much trouble. When the timer went off I filled it to 1 ounce line again, and so on. Looking at the 16 ounce bottle and thinking "I gotta drink all that!! No way!!" Even including sleeping 8 hours at night and 3 or 4 one hour naps during the day it is accomplished.
By the time I was on puree/solids and had to wait a half hour before and after to drink I wasn't taking the naps so it still worked. Pretty soon I could drink the one ounce easily so I would reset the timer to 10 minutes when it was gone. Soon enough I felt that I didn't need the timer at all, but it was a $5.00 well spent to reach that fluid goal. Reaching the fluid goal will help with weight loss and keep you from becoming dehydrated.
Others have found their own way, but I wanted to share what worked for me.
High 250/Consult Weight 245/Surgery 205/Now 109
Height 5'4.5" BMI 18.4
In maintenance since June 2009 
Thanks for the timer tip!
I don't know about other people's plans, I know everyone's is different, but my plan says not to include protein drinks as fluid because they are protein rich. My plan wants 64oz on top of that.
Why would the fact that they are protein rich make them not fluids? You make your protein drinks with a liquid, right? So it's still fluid.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
