Post-op newbie... please help

[Gru]

I'm in the full fluids phase for 2 weeks and I'm trying to figure out how to get in around 500 calories and 60 gms of protein, plus 48 oz of water.

I can eat about 2-3 oz per meal so far before I start feeling pain (is that what "full" feels like?). Today I tried having 2 oz of muscle milk for breakfast. 2oz creamed tomato soup for lunch. Jello for afternoon snack. Another 2oz of muscle milk for dinner, and since I felt I was behind (and hungry), another 2oz of muscle milk a few hours later.

The rest of the time I drank water and got in about 30 oz.

So all together, I've had only 164 calories and 23 grams of protein. I must be doing this wrong.

I could try having 7 2oz meals of beef broth throughout the day. I would get 322 calories and 63 grams of protein. That would take all day and I wouldn't have time to get much water in.

Is there another way I should be thinking about this?

[Jen43]

Are you having any protein shakes with around 20-25g of protein. Right now it’s hard to get your liquids in cause you are just a few days out but I suggest getting a good high protein drink and have two sip all day on them you have to along with water. It’s hard to get everything in at first.

[Luv49ers19]

Meals as a rule on the full liquid don't really apply. Just keep sipping on your fluids all day. Try protien shakes. More bang for your buck. Just keep sipping. It does get better. And no you aren't doing it wrong. We all started out on the ultra low caloric intake at first.

[sraebaer]

For my first 2 weeks after surgery I concentrated on the protein and liquid only. I was told not to count calories, just the protein and liquid. I met my 64 ounces of liquid and I can't remember the grams of protein I was to meet, but I did that too. I kept a log. And remember, if you have a protein shake/drink that will also count toward your liquid intake. So, for example, a bottle of Isopure was 20 ounces of liquid and 30 grams of protein. (I think, it's been really long.)

I didn't worry about "meal time" those first two weeks. All I was doing was drinking. I just sipped every waking moment. Teeny-tiny sips. You HAVE TO get in your liquid and protein. Without the liquid you'll end up back in the hospital with dehydration. Without the protein you won't have any energy. No excuses, you can do it! Good luck!

Week three I added soft, mushy foods.

[RehabNurse]

If you're near Walmart, they have Premier Protein shakes with 160 calories and 30 grams of protein. You'll automatically consume 320 calories and 60 grams of protein if you can manage to drink 2 of these daily.

To add another 200 calories for a 500-calorie daily total, just eat 2 tablespoons of full-fat peanut butter (190 calories).

[Gru]

Thanks for all the great tips everyone. That sounds doable

Oh... and I'm down 20 lbs so far Happy New Year's Eve!

[sraebaer]

Peanut butter is a fluid?

[RehabNurse]

Peanut butter is a fluid?

Peanut butter counts as a pudding-thickened liquid in many bariatric and therapeutic diet plans, similar to Greek yogurt and custard.

[AnnieG]

I was allowed to count protein shakes as part of my water intake. It is hard!

[Christie13]

Congrats on the weight loss Gru. As stated, protein shakes count as fluid as well. It is hard in the beginning. Another thing that helped me with fluids was the sugar free popsicles. You have to sip all day long to meet your goals. Good luck.