I should get honest about my Protein intake. It is no good. I am 12 days out and lucky if I can gag down 30 grams. I just can't take in protein and drink all this Fluid. Fifteen grams of protein fills me up for hours (half my average shake). So then I drink more when I can and I am filled up again. Of course while all this protein BS is going on I am not drinking Water. Just messing around with trying to get 70 grams is taking up my whole day.

I am still struggling with hydration. I am putting out about 30 cc to 40 cc an hour which is good but I wake up shakey and my mouth is dry. My husband curled up to me this morning and was like "What is wrong you are shaking" And I said I am just this way in the morning if I try to focus on protein and miss water. I am in a vicious cycle.

My calves are also cramping. I already got checked for blood clots. I have none.

I am not liking life right now. Still no regrets.

How long can I go with not enough protein? Mac? Help.

Today, I am 5 weeks out from surgery. From what I remember, I only took in 5-10 grams of protein the first week or so and then was able to take in 20-30 grams the next couple of weeks (I decided it was more important to not get dehydrated and like you, I couldn't handle both). I think it was week 3 that I got into the 40's, but that was not everyday. My surgeon's goal right now is only 50 grams, which I realize is very low based on what everyone else reports. Today for the first time I broke 60 grams (it was 61:-), but since I'm doing aerobic activity now I know I really need to get it up there.

You don't have to get all your Protein from shakes. You can use protein hot chocolate and add unflavored protein to broth and also use the bariatric foods like the protein enhanced Soups and the Protein drinks that are fruity.

Generally, people start out getting in about half the protein and half the Water that they should but by 2-3 weeks, you need to be getting all your Fluid and most of your protein. The fluid is the most important early out. If you get dehydrated, you can end up back in the hospital.

Wouldn't Isopure take care of both at once? It's high in Protein, and I would think it's a good liquid for hydration.

I feel so bad for everyone that has this problem. I had the opposite problem. i wanted to drink all the time and I had to remind myself to slow down. I had no trouble getting 60 grams of protein and 64 oz of Water in every day since the day I left the hospital.

All I can say is remember to keep sipping throughout the day and evening.

I would also look at Muscle Milk Light at costco. They are relatively small liquid volume with 20g of protien and no sugar (about 160 cal.). When I was out of the hospital, I made my own shakes and found them too big to get down for a measly 15g or 17g (with peanut butter) Protein.

I now do a muscle milk light for Breakfast every day sometimes with a mini-baybel cheese to hold me over till lunch. It does get better, but I have struggled with hydration myself. Just constantly sip.

Good luck!

As for your Water intake, I would just look at my pee. If it's clear, then I think you are hydrated enough. I am not drinking a lot of water, but I ice all my Protein shakes and ice my bullets and my pee is clearer than it's ever been. The Dr. said if that's the case than I am ok. The problem is when it's darker or cloudy. Good Luck!:thumbup1:

I should get honest about my protein intake. It is no good. I am 12 days out and lucky if I can gag down 30 grams. I just can't take in protein and drink all this Fluid. Fifteen grams of protein fills me up for hours (half my average shake). So then I drink more when I can and I am filled up again. Of course while all this protein BS is going on I am not drinking water. Just messing around with trying to get 70 grams is taking up my whole day.

I am still struggling with hydration. I am putting out about 30 cc to 40 cc an hour which is good but I wake up shakey and my mouth is dry. My husband curled up to me this morning and was like "What is wrong you are shaking" And I said I am just this way in the morning if I try to focus on protein and miss water. I am in a vicious cycle.

My calves are also cramping. I already got checked for blood clots. I have none.

I am not liking life right now. Still no regrets.

How long can I go with not enough protein? Mac? Help.

Early on my husband was using a lot of these liquid things that looked like "bullets" that were called New Whey. They were protein. He didn't especially like the taste of them (thought them too sweet) but they had very concentrated protein, about 42 grams for just a few ounces of drink. They helped him get his protein in a fairly concentrated form. He bought them at The Vitamin Shoppe (probably any health foods place sell them, maybe even the grocery stores.)

I drink these same bullets but I "cut" mine with glaceau low cal vitamin water - it's only 10 calories and 4 g carbs!

Straight up they are waaaaay too sweet!!

Isopure saved my butt in the early days because it gave me 40 g of protein and 20 oz of liquid.

Fuzzy Navel by Syntrax is AWESOME!!! You can get it on vitacost.com for pretty cheap. Put it in with some crystal light. GREAT STUFF!

Im a little over a week post-op, and im only getting in between 25-40 grams.

Thanks so much guys. You all have given me so many ideas to try and get more in. Being on clears limits my options so much.

On the positive note I did so much better today with fluids. It is amazing how you do better and better each day.

You guys are great. Hugggggggs for all.

I am with Mac on this one. I killed 2 birds with one stone so to speak, my first few days. Isopure has a lot of protein and gives you 20 oz of liquid at the same time. After that, I used GNC unflavored protein powder in Crystal lite and SF Hawaiin punch.

Early on my husband was using a lot of these liquid things that looked like "bullets" that were called New whey. They were Protein. He didn't especially like the taste of them (thought them too sweet) but they had very concentrated protein, about 42 grams for just a few ounces of drink. They helped him get his protein in a fairly concentrated form. He bought them at The Vitamin Shoppe (probably any health foods place sell them, maybe even the grocery stores.)

I will have to try these as I am not getting anywhere near my 80-100 grams a day. I MIGHT get 30-40 a day, and I'm 8 weeks out. Shame on me, but I can't get in my Water if I have to drink Protein shakes too. I can't get all my protein from food either. This is damn near impossible.

And I'm one of those that if the smell hits me, I start to gag. Isopure doesn't work for me, though I so wish it did.

In the beginning when it was hard for me to eat, I ate 2 bites of either tuna, chicken, or egg salad. I would eat 2 bites throughout the day. Sometimes one bite would be all I could get down, but then I would try one more bite an hour later. In between, I would sip my water. It got easier each day. I didn't start solids when I as supposed to, until it got much easier to eat the mushies.

I can stand the Isopure Artic Punch but that is the only flavor. I found a new shake my stomach likes so I can drink that. I am on clears until the 17th so my stomach and brain have just about had enough of jello, broth, and shakes. It was getting to the point all my shakes would make me nauseous just looking at them.

My water intake is doing better.

What I wouldn't give for some strained cream soup right now. It must taste like heaven.

I bet you are very anxious for the 17th to get here. Then you can have soups as long as they are blended until there are no chunks. There are also some places you can order bariatric soups that are higher in protein. I have a tomato soup that is very good and has 20 grams of protein. It's made by Proti.

Edited September 11, 200916 yr by Oregondaisy