Not Enough TIME

[AKReshaping]

We are only awake 960 minutes a day. It takes 40 minutes for protein to digest and move out of our small sleeve stomachs. Do the math - 70 grams of protein at 2 grams per "meal" with 40 minutes in between each is 1400 minutes/day or over 23 hours. Can someone please tell me how we are supposed to meet the protein goal? I'm 5 days post op and am barely getting 10 grams of protein and less than 100 calories/day consumed.

 

[Kcuster83]

Why are you only getting 2g protein per meal? One shake is between 20-30g protein depending on the brand. So basically half your daily intake.

This is my daily schedule... weekends are off a little but I still have no problem hitting protein and fluids.
7am: 30g shake for breakfast
8-11am: Fluids (16+oz) I usually get a lot more water in during this time, sometimes 32 oz
12pm: Lunch 12-20g protein depending on what I pack
1-3pm fluids (16+oz)
330pm (ish) Small snack 5-15g protein
4-5/6pm: Fluids (16+oz)
6pm: Dinner, usually around 20g protein
630/7-bedtime: fluids (16+oz)

TOTALS: 67g of protein OR MORE (I am usually 70 or more)
64oz fluids OR MORE (I am usually around 80oz)

 

[suzannethemom]

I was only allowed to drink half of a shake (4 oz) at a time. Half of a shake is about 12 to 13 grams of protein. Your dietician should have mentioned that you cannot possibly meet the protein and water goals in the first two weeks. My dietician told me to do the best that I can and focus on fluid intake (shakes count towards your fluids). Dehydration is the biggest risk.

 

[KAT in PA]

We are only awake 960 minutes a day. It takes 40 minutes for protein to digest and move out of our small sleeve stomachs. Do the math - 70 grams of protein at 2 grams per "meal" with 40 minutes in between each is 1400 minutes/day or over 23 hours. Can someone please tell me how we are supposed to meet the protein goal? I'm 5 days post op and am barely getting 10 grams of protein and less than 100 calories/day consumed.

Are you per chance intermingling grams with ounces? It's reasonable that your dietician suggested a meal consist of 2 ounces of food when you move to pureed foods/soft foods. There is approximately 2 Tablespoons in an ounce so 2 ounces of food would be 4 Tablespoons for our new smaller pouch stomachs. However, one gram is only about .04 of an ounce and protein grams are a nutritional measurement. I am 5 weeks post op tomorrow and have had no problem consuming an 11oz protein shake, containing 30 grams of protein over the course of 30 minutes. The first couple of weeks though, where you are, things are very different. You'll improve in protein and volume as you heal. Focus on hydration and getting as much protein as you can, but as others have said, it's okay if you're not meeting your protein goals at first. Best wishes! You've got this!

 

[AKReshaping]

Probably - I'm only able to keep down 1-2 oz at a time and have to wait 20 to 40 minutes between before I can swallow more. Very slow and time consuming process. I feel like all my waking hours are focused on preparing drinks or drinking them. I'm averaging 6-8 grams of protein a day and 80-100 calories.

 

[Roni]

Things will get better. Give yourself time to heal. You have had a major surgery. I found protein additives to add to water to help enhance my protein levels. There is a protein water called protein 2.0 in the health mart at local store, the blue raspberry and cherry ones are really good and they are 16.9 ounces. There is also a strawberry banana, coconut and mixed berry flavor. Hopes this helps.

 

[Kcuster83]

It takes time to hit goals. That seems very low though, even a week post op. If you are having trouble swallowing you should reach out to your surgeon and just make sure everything is ok. Goodluck! It will get easier.