How many calories do you take in on full liquids?

[southernmom]

I'm entering my second week of full liquids and I'm wondering about my calorie intake. I am drinking a lot of water, but I cannot seem to drink more than 2oz of full liquid soup at a time. The only thing that I don't seem to have trouble with are the EAS Carb Control shakes. I can drink about 3oz of those at one time. I have no problems sipping on water, broth, or herbal tea. For lunch I had stained gumbo and was only able to eat 2oz before getting full. Tonight I had creamy tomato soup, but could only get 2oz down. In order to get my protein in, I did a New Whey protein shot over the period of a few hours. So besides the clear liquids that I had, my meals looked like this:
Breakfast EAS shake 100 calories
Lunch 2oz gumbo broth 25 calories
Dinner 2oz Tomato soup 25 calories
New Whey Protein 180 calories

Like I said, I am drinking a lot of clear fluids, but I am not hungry and get very full quite easily. I'm just wondering if this is the normal caloric intake at this point, or should I try something different?

[Dawnislas]

You do not need to worry about calories at this point. Just get as much protein in as you can and your water. You concentrate on not becoming dehydrated and building your body back up from the trauma of surgery. You also shouldn't feel hunger for quite a while. You will feel rumblings but since they removed most of your hunger hormone you will experience more psychological cravings than anything else. Your calories are at a huge deficit than normal people but the key to staying healthy is the protein and the water.
Remember also your stomach is still swollen and tender so don't worry about the rest. Check your surgery notes for the protein in grams that you should aim for each day and the water. I am supposed to do 64 oz water and 60-70, grams of protein per day.

[southernmom]

That's good to know. I am getting 64 oz of liquids and meeting my 40-60 gram protein goal. It just freaked me out a little when I looked at my intake log and saw so few calories. I'm glad I'm not hungry, prior to surgery I'd be starving!

[Kindle]

I tried to get my calories up ASAP so I didn't screw up my metabolism too bad. Not to mention I Was working 10 hrs/day and needed the calories to function. The only time I was under 600 calories was in the first 3 days postop while on clear liquids. As soon as I Started full liquids I was up to 600-800 calories, I drank two 24-32 ounce protein shakes made with 1% milk, protein powder, and pureed fruit like bananas, peaches and mangos every day. They usually had around 300 calories each. This was in addition to the diluted fruit juice, sports drinks, drinkable yogurt, tea, and pureed/strained cream soups I was drinking. Nothing was really separated into meals since I was sipping something all day from the moment I woke up till I fell asleep at night.

[WANAGL]

I sipped all day also...I sprinkled unflavored protein powder into and on everything to increase protein intake as per my "team" instructions. Calories were increased by adding drinkable yogurt (Kefir) and blended cottage cheese to fruit in smoothies. Blended soups also.

Best of luck as you continue your journey!

[Kindle]

I would also look at something besides new whey protein to meet your protein needs. It contains collagen which they count towards "protein", but actually is very poorly absorbed by the body. The math alone should tell you something is amiss. If it has 42g of protein, it should have at least 168 calories, not even counting the other ingredients. But if they are claiming just 160 calories, something isn't getting absorbed. In contrast, 100% whey isolate is the number one best absorbed form of protein there is....even better than meat, fish, dairy, eggs, etc.

[southernmom]

I'm going to try and skip the New Whey protein if I can help it. I really don't like the taste. I cannot stand the Unjury unflavored protein powder, it seems to change the taste of everything I add it to and makes me gag. I am waiting for the chicken soup flavor to come in the mail. Really, it is the only one that I like. My nutritionist was very strict about what kind of protein she would allow. I see so many people saying great things about Isopure and Premier Protiein, but I'm not allowed to have them until 4 weeks out. I can start cottage cheese next week, and no fruit until week 5. As you can see, I am very limited. Clear liquids aren't a problem, but I'm going to see if I can substitute a few with some milk or more EAS shakes.

[Kindle]

Syntrax nectar is a good product with flavors ranging from vanilla, cappuccino, cookies and cream to orange, lemonade, grape, cherry and many more.

[rebamoon]

My surgeon said to drink half full sugar juices mixed with half water during the liquid stage as well just to keep calories and sugars up enough. I tried to do one glass of that for every glass of water, and then mix in broth as well. I wasn't able to start the protein drinks until after my liquid stage though, so maybe that's the trade off.

[KariVSG]

im on my 2 week preop liquid diet

[hopeful311]

That was wonderful information. There are alot of really great folks on this site, its awesome!! Thanks

[WANAGL]

Isopure is also an alternative...Clear, fruit-flavored, whey protein, 40 gms protein, 160 calories. It's available through Amazon, GNC, Lucky Vitamins and other online sources.