Trouble getting protein and liquid requirement

[gustavio 439]

I was sleeved 5 days ago. Had no issues at all, surgery went great, 5 days out and pain is mild. Don't even take pain relievers anymore as of yesterday. Only problem is, I don't want anything. Not Water, not juice and definitely not protein! It took me 3 days to get down one snack pack of Jello. I managed to get 20 oz of diluted organic apple juice yesterday and no Protein. Today I forced down a Protein shake made extra strong. One scoop of Protein to 3 oz of Water. It was awful but I did It. But still, that's only 16g of protein so I'm Dreading the fact that I have to do it a few more times today. I felt so weak yesterday I knew I had to choke something down. Anyone got any tips to make this protein more appetizing? I thought about freezing it for a ice cream like treat? Up side is I've lost 15 lbs in these 5 days! I go back to work in 3 days and can't imagine working with this extreme weakness I feel! Any advice would help!

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Edited August 30, 2016 by gustavio

[theantichick 2,204]

I had to switch things up... Protein powder in Soup broth (tip: heat the Soup up separately, mix the powder with a few oz of warm Water, then mix the two.... Protein Powder in hot Water clumps and Protein Powder mixed with something and then heated gets gritty), popsicles made with clear Protein drinks (I use Syntrax). It was day 7 or 8 before I finally made my Fluid goal, and day 10 before I consistently was getting my Protein in (day 13 now, it's still a bit of a struggle, but I'm doing much better).

Remember that Fluid is more important than protein, especially at first. I likely got a little dehydrated, but not enough to need to go in for IV fluids, so I call it a win.

Good luck!!

[AgentSmith 39]

Yup the first few days suck. But the Water is critical. You absolutely have to get it down. It's not about "wanting" it. Measure it out at the start of the day and small sips throughout the day. As for Protein I take 4 ounces of Water with a good whey ISO for 20 grams. I do it four time a day. I do my PPI and my Multivitamin in the AM. That's my recommendation for the first week. Obviously follow your doctor's plan, but you gotta get the water and Protein down my friend. You'll have the rest of your life to eat what you want in moderation. For now you have to have a laser focus on simple fundamental nutrition. Keep moving and busy. That will help too. Good luck!

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[JamieLogical 8,708]

Focus on liquid first. Yes, Protein is important, but dehydration will be much more of an immediate issue. You really really really need to be getting water/liquids in. Try for 1 ounce every 15 minutes while you are awake. It's hard, I know. But take tiny sips and pace yourself. One thing that helped me a littler was marching in place while sipping.

You need to work at Water and Protein like it's your full time job these first few weeks.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

If you don't want to be weak you have to get some calories and Fluid in. If don't exercise your sleeve and eat/drink to keep it open, it will continue to be hard to eat. It only gets easier with use.

If what you described is really how you are eating, you are going to end up in the emergency room for dehydration.

If all these cold items are hard. Try warm liquids, like broth with Protein powder. Warm Water.

If you can't get your intake up, I don't see how it will be safe for you to return to work.

Finally when is your one week post-op visit? Make sure you tell your Dr how you are feeling and document your intake for the Dr to review.

[gina171 626]

So...it kinda doesn't matter whether you "want" to drink Water or Protein. Its not about what you want to do at this point. It's your medicine, you have to do it. If you were taking care of a small child who didn't want to take their medicine for days, I am pretty sure you would find a way to make it happen.

Sounds like you did not experiment with unflavored Protein yet. Try GENEPRO, you can get it on Amazon. A very small scoop has 30g of protein, you can mix it right into that apple juice you're drinking, you won't even taste it. I have tried a lot of Proteins, and the GENEPRO amazes me on how easily it mixes into tea, cold drinks, pudding, anything at all.

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[My1way 20]

I was told to drink 64 oz of Water per day. Impossible for me! I hate Water and always have. I would manage maybe 24 oz per day. I don't recommend what I did, but just to let you know you are not alone. My doctor finally told me to count any liquid into that 64 oz requirement. I found sugar-free Popsicles. I made frozen popsicles from Protein drinks both creamy and clear. For Protein powders, don't buy large canisters at first. You can get free samples from almost any maker, even buy them at GNC (single protein powder sizes). That way you will find what you like. I found mixing flavors helped. Mix chocolate and vanilla, coffee (Click makes good coffee flavor) and vanilla. I also use unjury. To me it tastes the best but Slim-Fast now makes a pretty good protein powder different from the original that was for Meal Replacement weight loss. When you mix the powders, use the blender, add ice, use half milk and water, add Peanut Butter powder, add flavored greek yogurt. Now at a year, I can pretty much figure out what works for me. I know to eat only when I am hungry and stop before I get full.

[MNovalis 93]

If you can sip broth, try Bone Broth as opposed to just regular broth. It has 7 grams of Protein where regular broth only has about 2. And a lot more flavor. I started using it to thin out my cream Soups too. I also found some great flavored protein powders, like pineapple coconut, that I sprinkle over a semi-melted sugar free popsicle in a bowl. AWESOME! If you can get creative with them, the protein powders can work for you!