I am scheduled for surgery on March 9 with Dr. Fernando Garcia. I start my two week pre-surgery diet next Saturday the 23rd.

My diet is one protein shake for breakfast, one for lunch, a salad with protein such as chicken, and a shake for snack if needed.

My question is, if I make my shakes with water do I include that in my water intake for the day? If so does it still count toward water consumption after surgery?

I am using myfitnesspal.com to keep track of my food, water, and exercise so I want to make sure I am doing it correctly.

Thanks!!! I am getting so excited!!

Yep, you can count any liquid as part of your water consumption. You should really make the shakes with milk (skim or light soy) to make sure you are getting in more nutrients, especially during the pre-op diet. It makes the shakes taste better too.

Kind of weird, but I switched to light soy milk for my pre-op diet and now, almost 7 months later, I really only like my protein shakes made with it. I can use skim milk, but the shakes taste "off" to me now. (I have a protein shake every morning for breakfast.)

Also, I had my "meal" at noon at work because it was so much easier to be able to eat with my team. I'd have a shake for breakfast at 6, a frozen dinner under 300 calories for lunch at 11, a shake at 2 pm, and a shake for supper. I was able to have unlimited veggies too. I suppose it also helped that my hubby went to visit his parents for a week during that first week of the pre-op diet. It made it SO much easier for ME because I didn't have to be around his food. I never did feel deprived. The shakes I drank were Bariatric Advantage. Very filling and they kept me satisfied 3-4 hours.

I am actually not sure if you count it or not. I mix my shakes with almond milk for the added taste and calcium... I do not count the 16oz of almond milk I get from my two daily shakes towards my daily liquid intake.

I assumed I did if I used water but I didn't want to mess my intake up.

I am really not a milk drinker but I will definitely try it with the protein shakes. It seems like it would make them taste better. I am ordering samples of different brands to try and see what I like. I plan on having enough for pre and post op so I can see what I like after surgery before buying a large quantity.

Thanks and any other suggests that you have for pre or post of are greatly appreciated!!

I am going to Mexico and I am worried about not having a strict diet to go by afterwards. I do best if I am told exactly what to have and how much and when. I am thinking about trying to find a bariatric nutritionist for post op to keep me on track.

My insurance does not pay for anything relating to weight loss so I don't know if that would be excluded or not.

Ugh! I am just worrying about everything. I have so many lists of what I need, and do's and don'ts from posts I have read on here. I am driving myself crazy thinking about it!!

Yes, my surgeon and nutritionist confirmed and it's in my surgery manual that you can count all liquids towards your fluid intake. Water, broth, milk (any variety), tea, etc. - all count.

That includes any liquids used to make foods.... like soup, pudding, etc. I had expressed a concern to my doctor about not being able to "drink" 64 ounces of water. She added up what was in the foods plus what I was drinking and I was pretty darn close.

Great!! I love water but it sounded hard to drink 64oz plus all the protein shakes plus the food we are allowed.

Especially since we can't drink for 30 minutes before or after eating.

Thanks!!

During pre-op and post-op restricted diets, I counted all liquids that I drank. Now, over 18 months post-op, I do not count liquid food (soup) as part of my water intake. I have more capacity, so I count decaf liquids (tea and coffee) and water as water intake only, but I add water if I drink something with caffeine, which I do occasionally when I dine out. I have also raised my protein goal from 70 to 80 daily because I had a heart catherization that found some weakness in my heart muscle. I am adding the protein to give my body building blocks for the muscle when I'm cleared to start exercise again this week. This IS on the advice of my physician.