Hi everyone,

I am trying to get my 64+oz of fluids, 50+grams of protein, vitamins, and 4-6 small meals a day. It feels like there isn’t enough time in the day to fit all these things in. (Luckily I don’t have to juggle a job too, just being a mom at home).

With no fluids 30 minutes before or after a meal and 20+ minutes for the meal I am spending at least 6 hours not sipping. I have moved (per my nutritionist) on to soft solid food. But my tummy still can’t handle more than a few sips of liquids at a time. I can’t handle regular water, so I have been drinking Powerade Zero. I have tried protein drinks, but don’t really like them. Perhaps due to having nothing but them for too many weeks. My mind screams “no!!!!” when I even think of a protein shake lol. [emoji4]

How did everyone else get the required amount of liquids? I am getting between 30 and 40 oz right now.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

Right after surgery your body is in a major heal mode. So during the first few weeks, many find it difficult to meet the fluid daily requirements. But you are almost a month post op and you should be likely able to handle the requirement at this time.

It is common for your taste buds to change after surgery. Be willing to experiment. After surgery, my taste buds changed dramatically. Even water changed. In the hospital it tasted excessively chlorinated and I could not drink it. So I experimented. Sugar free popsicles became my best friend. Some individuals find hot or cold can help with fluids. For me, I found that I could tolerate flavored water. So I began using Crystal Light. I also found a new drink Bai which I liked cold. In the winter, I found that I tolerate hot drinks such as piping hot cocoa. But you have to use the "No Sugar Added" variety. Also fine English teas were very good.

The fluid requirement is met by a combination. It is not only the water that you drink each day. But also the water you drink when you take your vitamins and medicine. It is the milk you drink. It is the fluids content of the protein shakes. It is the water component of the soups you take. It is met by flavored water such as Crystal Light. It is met by sugar free popsicles. It is met by tea and decaf coffee. It is a combination of all the fluids that you consume during the day.

Some individuals find hot or cold can help with fluids.

Thanks for the advice. I was able to drink 10 oz of honeybush tea this morning. I didn’t even realize how much I drank and my tummy was happy with it. The tea is sweet so nothing is needed and the plant is caffeine free. Just water and the tea bag. Yay!

Seems like hot is the way to go for me. I was trying cold then warm, and getting nowhere. Now to find some more thinks I can drink hot.

I found peppermint tea was my favorite, helped with the nausea also.

It is more difficult in the beginning. Water is more important than meals. If you have to choose, drink water. I changed my routine to drinking first in the morning. I hated protein drinks as well after the surgery and liquid post-op. But I gradually incorporated a protein drink almost every day to help get water.