Hi there!

I’m two days post op and I’m supposed to get 60 grams of protein and 64 oz of liquids in per day. So my question is how fast do I drink my protein shakes? Like an hour to drink one? I just don’t know how to get everything I need in by the end of the day? Anyone have any tips?

Right after surgery, your body is in a major heal mode. Many people find it difficult to meet their daily protein and fluid requirements from the get-go. Just keep working towards that goal and you should be able to get there within the first month.

One way to look at it is like this: let's say you manage to get 8 hours of sleep each night, so you're awake 16 hours in a day. To get 64 oz in that means 4 oz an hour. Break that down further to a goal of 1 oz every 15 minutes. That being said sometimes it's easier than done. Other times you may have no issues at all and can drink a bit more than that. My NUT said if needed to get a little timer and set it to go off for every 15 minutes as a reminder to stay on pace. What I did was reuse a 32 oz Powerade bottle. That way I knew my goal was to have drank one of those by the middle of the day, and then have the second one finished by bedtime. I kept it by my bedside as well. Figured if I woke up in the middle of the night might as well get some in while the going was good...lol.

For what it's worth my doc said to count your protein shakes towards your daily fluid intake if you're struggling, but goal should be to have 64 oz of water on top of your protein. IMO better to be a bit short on your protein than risk getting dehydrated if you're really struggling.

I am two days post op as well! Woohoo! I just found an app called Eating Habit Trainer that gives reminders to take a sip however minutes apart you would like. So for me if I can take a 1/2 ounce sip at a time every 7 minutes that’s almost 1 ounce every 15 minutes. Then I should be able to reach my water intake for the day. Good luck to you!!!

Fluid goals first, then protein because getting dehydrated is seriously harmful and you just cannot get caught up on your own once you are in it. I also keep an insulated cup on my nightstand and drink during the night every night. I found the clear protein drinks easier to get down than the thick shakes - like Isopure ready-made blue raspberry and I would make sf crystal light lemonade and split the Isopure half and half w the lemonade. One 20oz bottle of Isopure is 40grams of protein - pricey but it's only for a couple weeks until you can get solid protein.