Clear Liquids Post Op

[Melissa D 34]

I am 4 days post op and I'm on Clear liquids until next week. My doctors diet says I can start Protein supplements next week.

So my question is, am I supposed to be trying to get any nutrition at all from the Clear Liquids? I'm happy sipping Water all day, I'm not feeling hungry at all, and I'm getting my liquids in.

I'm just wondering though if I'm doing what I should be doing.

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

You can buy Isopure clear liquid Protein drink at GNC. They have 40 g of Protein in 20 oz. Personally, I don't like the aftertaste from them, but I can tolerate it, so I mix 1/2 of it with Water and crystal light mix to lessen the aftertaste & sip it during part of the day.

The other thing I add to broth or crystal light is Beneprotein packets. Sometimes Walgreens carries it - or you can order it online through Amazon or nestlenutritionstore.com - there are 6 g of protein and 25 calories in each packet. It mixes clear.

The other option is powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup, strawberry Sorbet and Unflavored that each have 20 g of protein per scoop/packet. You can get them online at unjury.com - I got a few samples from the hospital.

I'm supposed to try to get in at least 64 oz of Fluid (popsicles & Jello count too) - and 70 g of protein each day on my clear liquid phase. It takes me all day, but I have succeeded so far.

the only downfall to ordring things online at this point is that I don't know how long it would take to get to you and you might be out of your clear liquid stage by then. All those things can be used at any phase though, so you could always use them later on.

Other than protein, I wasn't told to try to get other nutrients in at this point - I do have a liquid Multivitamin that I got at Walgreens to take now since I can't take my chewable ones yet.

[Melissa D 34]

Hmm... I was told not to start Proteins until next week. I already have a tub of clear unflavored Protein though & kinda feel like I should be having some sort of protein now.

[vanb0052 40]

My surgeon and NUT told me that the first week after surgery I didn't really need to worry about getting my Protein. The 2nd week with full liquids is when I really start getting it in. Hope this helps!

[NJsharon 119]

I was told no Protein for the first 10 days, just clear liquids. So just worry about the amount of liquids you are getting in. Try to drink as close to 64oz as you can. I know it is a lot, so just try!

I add in Protein drinks tomorrow, can't wait!

[Melissa D 34]

Thanks for all the advice guys!!!

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

It really depends on the doctor. I have to do clear liquids for 2 weeks after surgery and was told to try to work my way up on my Protein as long as I used clear protein because protein is one of the important things to help us heal. I was encouraged to use all the clear protein options that I mentioned in my other post above. I don't move to full liquids until Week 3 and quite honestly that would be a long time to wait for protein, especially since there is not much nutritional value in most clear liquids. I am a strong advocate for following what YOUR doctor said to do, but I also believe in the benefits of the protein right from the start too. I'm glad my doctor suggests the protein during the clear stage as long as it's clear protein. Personally, I think it's what is making me feel so good already. However, you need to trust your gut and your doctor and make the best decision for yourself.

[Melissa D 34]

I had surgery the day after you and other than minor soreness, all that's bothering me is UGH gas. I've been walking a lot but it just won't seem to budge much.

Do you still have surgery gas lol? Feeling like the marshmallow man here.

I did a report last semester in Nutrition & Health on Protein and that is perhaps what is making me wonder. I just remember how important it was to get your Protein in every day because your body will start canabolizing it's muscles to get it.

I just had some chicken broth for dinner, I should have added in some Syntrax nectar. I'll do that tomorrow I think.

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

I think all the surgical gas has finally left my system. I don't feel pressure from it anymore from it & my stomach isn't puffy like it was right after surgery.

I can understand doctors not wanting the thicker Protein drinks right away, but I think not having any Protein isn't that wise & also could make moving to the heavier Protein Drinks a little harder. However, I'm definitely not a doctor, so I don't know for sure. I'm just following what my doctor told me to do. I'm not sure that I would even know about it if he wanted me to do it some other way. :-)

[SleeveDreamer 383]

The most important thing is to sip all day and get as many liquids as possible so you won't get dehydrated. You should be taking Vitamins anyway, I used the RTD Premier Portein drinks from costco. I personally could not stand the powdered ones of any kind or flavor. I am 5 moths out and still drink one Protein Drink every afternoon for a snack.< /p>

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

My doctor doesn't have us start Vitamins & most supplements until two weeks out, maybe that's why he does want me to get Protein in now. I don't know. He had me start B12 & Iron now because my levels were really low for both, but his general rule is to not do supplements until 2 weeks out unless they're liquid. I did buy a liquid Multivitamin at Walgreens to take until I can start my bariatric chewables. I've also had some Airborne to help boost my immune system for healing.

[suzcomptime 17]

You can buy Isopure clear liquid Protein drink at GNC. They have 40 g of Protein in 20 oz. Personally, I don't like the aftertaste from them, but I can tolerate it, so I mix 1/2 of it with Water and crystal light mix to lessen the aftertaste & sip it during part of the day.

The other thing I add to broth or crystal light is Beneprotein packets. Sometimes Walgreens carries it - or you can order it online through Amazon or nestlenutritionstore.com - there are 6 g of protein and 25 calories in each packet. It mixes clear.

The other option is unjury chicken Soup, strawberry Sorbet and Unflavored that each have 20 g of protein per scoop/packet. You can get them online at unjury.com - I got a few samples from the hospital.

I'm supposed to try to get in at least 64 oz of Fluid (popsicles & Jello count too) - and 70 g of protein each day on my clear liquid phase. It takes me all day, but I have succeeded so far.

the only downfall to ordring things online at this point is that I don't know how long it would take to get to you and you might be out of your clear liquid stage by then. All those things can be used at any phase though, so you could always use them later on.

Other than protein, I wasn't told to try to get other nutrients in at this point - I do have a liquid multivitamin that I got at Walgreens to take now since I can't take my chewable ones yet.

My tummy is having a hard time with room temperature Water so I was afraid to try the popsicles but I think I will anyway. When people were discussing having a hard time getting their liquid in I didn't realize that it might mean feeling nauseous and so far water does not work. I'm assuming it gets easier each day and trying different things helps. I intend to try something warm too like broth or Decaf tea to see. Not sure if I dare add unflavored protein to anything yet. One day at a time.