Getting through clear liquids
 

I know some people come home on purees, but my surgeon has us on clear liquids for 2 weeks after surgery. (I had RNY, by the way) I have about 5 more days of clear liquids and I'm finding it harder to get to next week than I thought it would be. First, I'm pretty gassy and the rumbly gas really mimics physical hunger, which is messing with my head. Second, everything I'm allowed to have is starting to be unappealing.

So. Do you have any coping advice? I didn't expect it to be this hard because everyone talks about not being hungry at all post-op. I'm not going to cheat, obviously, but I just was hoping for a way to make it a little easier.

wow -two weeks of clear liquids? is the doc letting you have protein drinks with that? or yogurt? or cottage cheese? or something else? most of us didn't have to endure two weeks of clear liquids, but 3-4 days, sometimes a week.

sooooo. my best advice is to take in whatever protein you can. it'll help you heal and keep your blood sugar stable.

I can have like special k protein water, but not thick protein drinks. Otherwise no, I can't have cheese or anything other than clear liquids. Not even full liquids.

Wow, that's strict!

I'm not sure what you have been drinking/sipping, but I know I really liked plain chicken broth when I got home from the hospital. Actually, I just bought a little jar of chicken boullion cubes and would dissolve one in a mug of hot water. Sometimes something warm like that will feel more filling or satisfying than a cold drink.

I haven't tried it yet, but I have these individual serving drink mix packets on my desk. They are Crystal Light "hunger satisfaction." Each packet contains 5g of fiber and 3g protein, so maybe sipping on that instead of just plain or flavored water would help?

Also, to feel like you're "eating" something, maybe put some Crystal Light (or any low-calorie drink mix with water) in the freezer for a while until it gets to be slushy.

I could have sugar-free popsicles when I was on clears - can you do that? I could also have sugar-free Jell-o (though it kept coming back up on me when I was in the hospital, so I've developed quite an aversion to it, but it was "allowed!").

I emailed my doctor's office to ask if there was anything I could add before monday. I have had popsicles and jello, but I guess there's only so much 0 calorie fruit flavored stuff that one can tolerate before going crazy, haha.

I will try those Crystal Lights, though! Thanks!

I was on clear liquids for two weeks as well... man was it hard. I remember my last day I could not take it, I sucked on one gold fish cracker LOL, it was like heaven to me.

How did I survive. My Mom made chicken soup and strained it so I could have the broth.. it was magical LOL. I lived on that, bullion cubes, crystal light drinks, ice pops (no fruit pieces), coffee, iced tea...... I just needed flavor. Go to the store and see if there are any clear soups you can strain.

since you can have the vKellogs water, see if you can find Isopure protein in the bottles - it's a clear protein supplement - looks like pyschedelic kool aid in the bottles.

some people love it [especially when made into ice pops]. but i didn't - i always felt like i'd swallowed a jellyfish. maybe drinking some plain water afterwards would have helped.

since you can have the vKellogs water, see if you can find Isopure protein in the bottles - it's a clear protein supplement - looks like pyschedelic kool aid in the bottles.

some people love it [especially when made into ice pops]. but i didn't - i always felt like i'd swallowed a jellyfish. maybe drinking some plain water afterwards would have helped.