So, I can get about 64 oz. of Water but trying to get Protein is kicking my butt. I just seemingly can’t get it in. I am 7 days out. Getting liquids down is harder too but I am getting there. Does anyone have any advice? Tomorrow is my purée stage. I really don’t want to fall behind. I just want to make sure I’m doing it correctly and feeling a bit defeated. I’m supposed to get around 70-80 oz of protein. 

First thing is remember each step is just a stage. Don't get too hung up on the details. The important thing is to get in your liquid and move around. Protein can come in as protein shakes, cottage cheese, bone broth, at the puree stage you can actually get pretty creative and puree chicken, tuna, eggs just about anything but the main thing is to remember to go slow and take small bites.

70-80 ounces is just a goal and most people don't get close to that at first. Don't get too discouraged or hung up on the numbers. This is just a stage and your still healing. I am 6 weeks out and doing great and there are still days I don't hit my protein goal and have to drink a bone broth or thrown an egg in my meal plan to try to hit it.

Everyday gets easier but there are days that things are just tough to hit those goals and that does not mean you failed that just means you shoot for it again tomorrow.

My nurse told me not to worry about protein in the beginning, and that it was basically impossible to get it all in when we are taking in such small amounts of liquid (and even in the puree stage as well). Just make sure you are staying hydrated. Best of luck to you!!!!

My nutritionist said the first week I didn’t have to worry about getting protein so much, if my body doesn’t tolerate it, it’s ok. She said I can try drinking protein waters and bone broth (I’m a vegetarian, but I found a vegan protein vegetable broth), but the first week is just to rehabilitate, and keep it easy on the stomach.

Getting your liquids in is great! Are you able to do protein shakes yet? If so, those count as liquids as well. Protein water is a great crutch too if you can stomach it (I find them vile). Once you get into purees it's difficult and feels impossible at first (so filling for many of us). Add some flavorless protein - One word of caution, make sure you measure out your portions so you aren't wasting a bunch of protein powder - I still have a hard time eye-balling my new portion sizes (I put WAY too much on a plate) just because it's what I've always done....

What about protein shakes? Protein water? In the pureed stage you can have scrambled eggs and cottage cheese. I still, two years post-op, drink a protein shake every day.

I've been making my protein shakes with Fair Life (non-fat) milk which adds 13g of protein per cup. It's a great way to add protein if you can tolerate dairy. Shakes count for both liquids and protein too, so. There's also this Gelatein stuff which is protein jello- 20g per cup. It's shelf stable, so you can get it on Amazon. Protein water too. Good luck!