What was ESSENTIAL Post-op - Comfort and Food wise

[Chellz423 0]

sugar free puddings, Protein Shakes, Soups, Water, movies and pillows

[chrisdirects 0]

Good morning!

I had my band placed last Friday, the 26th, and came home from the hospital the following day. Here's what has gotten me through so far...

Since I'm on a Clear liquids only regimen for now, sugar-free popsicles, Crystal Light, Decaf hot tea, and diet Jello (try mixing a box of cranberry with a box of raspberry- fantastic!!) have been my mainstays, along with low sodium/low fat chicken and beef broths. I have put in stock powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury unflavored and chicken Protein powders, along with some other goodies from the Bariatric Choice web site, so I'll be ready when I'm advanced to full liquids. I was on Medifast preop, so those soups/shakes I had left over are waiting for me as well. The hot tea has been soothing for my throat, which is a little irritated from the endotrach tube used for the anesthesia. Cinnamon is my favorite.

Gas-X strips- definitely a help with the gas buildup. Plus, I've worn a path in the hall carpeting, walking back and forth. Whenever I get a phone call from family/friends, I walk through the entire conversation to get that movement in. The first night home, seemed as if all the CO2 rose to sit right under my diaphragm- was so happy to get rid of some of that!

I had a hiatal hernia revision at the same time, so I've been reliant on a heating pad to help with that discomfort. Cold didn't work for me as well.

Good books, good movies, good music to listen to, and for me, knitting projects, all to keep my mind occupied.

You might want to consider getting a blender/food processor, if you don't have one already, to be prepared for the next stages. My girlfriends bought me baby-sized spoons and forks as a gift to help me with portioning later on...and to make me smile (it worked!). My husband gifted me with several cookbooks specifically written for weight loss surgery patients, knowing I'm a cooking fanatic.

Today will be my first shower- can't wait for that!!

Hope this is helpful!

Good luck with your surgery- I know you'll do great!

Best, Christine

[pmommy 0]

So I wonder why it is some of us are told to do a clear liquid diet and others just liquid. The info from my nutritionist doesn't say clear and suggests options like v-8, Protein Drinks, etc which I guess means I can have any liquid? Also some people stayed overnight in the hospital?

[atgoalgal 0]

So I wonder why it is some of us are told to do a clear liquid diet and others just liquid. The info from my nutritionist doesn't say clear and suggests options like v-8, Protein drinks, etc which I guess means I can have any liquid? Also some people stayed overnight in the hospital?

Each practice has somewhat different protocolsfor post op diet, based on what they've seen in their patient populations. It's always wise to follow your doctor's instructions - you chose your practice, but never be afraid to ask questions of your doctor, and his/her stafff. I would ask is if there is any period of Clear Liquids required, just to be sure. Were you given written post-op instructions?

Regarding in-patient and outpatient. What I've learned is that most (NOT ALL), patients can be safely banded in an outpatient setting and some find it more comfortable and less stressful. Most large insurance companies require in-hospital, often a center of excellence. I was banded in the hospital, before my surgeon started doing bands in a surgery center. I know lots of people who were very happy with their surgery center decisions, but I think most if not all were cash pay.

[chrisdirects 0]

I've actually been wondering the same thing, re: postop nutrition. It seems like some patients are given more complex foods to take in a lot earlier than what's on my protocol. I guess my surgeon is just ultra-conservative in his approach.

I was actually glad that I was allowed to stay overnight in the hospital, particularly since he also did the hernia repair. The nursing staff came in several times overnight to check my sugar, give me a little insulin bolus when needed (since I was off my Metformin for 48 hours presurgery), keep my IV going safely, and ensure I was comfortable with my morphine pump. They also gave me other meds, both through my IV and by injection. Those were things that my husband wouldn't have been able to do at home. It's true that my surgery was completely covered by my insurance, and it was in a center of excellence, so perhaps Gloria has a good point about the self-pay issue- I would believe that it might be less expensive done on an outpatient basis. I don't think my insurance company required the overnight per se, though- that was more my surgeon's requirement.

Best, Christine

[pmommy 0]

Thanks everyone!

[Melinco 1]

I won't go into the food things, as the previous posters have covered it really well. Of course, the most important thing is to listen to your doctor's advice and follow it regarding what you can and cannot eat.

My list will be for the comfort items:

Pajamas tops/bottoms - the reason I mention this is that I normally sleep sans PJs. However, getting banded, for the first few nights, I couldn't sleep in my bed due to the discomfort of sleeping on side/back (I'm a tummy sleeper). So I found myself moving to the couch in the middle of the night. Having long pajamas helped keep me covered as well as warm (since it was middle of December when I got banded).

Zip up tops/hoodies - again, first few days when the incisions are very tender and your tummy feels like you've done the billion + 2 crunches a previous poster mentioned, it helps to wear shirts that zip up or button up so you don't have to lift your arms above your head. And if you're a gal (since I know some men may be reading this too) forgo the bra for the first few days. The girls will be fine without the bra for a while.

Loose fitting pants such as sweats or yoga pants. Your tummy may still be bloated due to the gas from the surgery, and having a loose fitting pant on makes everything so much more comfortable.

Pillow for the trip home - this time of the year when snows are melting, pot holes are forming, having a pillow for the trip home to hold against your tummy, or protect your tummy from the seat belt, will be the BEST thing!

Heating pad - not for your incisions, but for your back and shoulder to help sooth the gas pains. More people get them than not. Gas-x strips are great to have too!

Slip on shoes - since you won't feel like bending over for a few days, having shoes that you can slip on will be a must have.

I think another very important thing you can have post op, especially the first couple of days, is someone there to help! I could not get off the couch/bed/toilet the first day without the help of my husband. My tummy just hurt too much from the surgery. I know some people did it, but I think to be safe, you should have someone home with you for the first two days at least.

Also, when you shower, I'd recommend placing a foot stool covered in a towel in the shower so you can sit on it while showering. It's just a bit of added security so you don't slip or fall while showering.

One last very important thing is to have ALL of your prescriptions filled prior to the surgery itself. Don't wait to get them filled on your way home. By then, you may well need your pain meds, and sometimes the pharmacies don't have what you need in stock. And don't forget the liquid Tylenol for pain that isn't intense enough for the Rx pain med (if you're doctor says it's okay to use).

Good luck! You will do great.

[XxMariposaxX 1]

Lip Balm, Gas-X Strips, Liquid Tylenol, liquid vitamins, calcium chews, Crystal Light, Decaf Coffee/Tea, Low-sodium broth, a pillow to rest against your stomach when sleeping and loose sweats.

[philippians413 0]

Totally agree with the lip balm and slip on shoes.

As to the debate of heating pad vs. ice packs - here is my experience. The first 2-3 days I had a lot of burning in the incision where the port is. I kept ice packs on that incision for about the first 3 days. It cooled the burn, and helped with the swelling. From that point on, I used a heating pad, it helped with the sore stomach muscles. I guess everyone is different.

As for meals - my doctor only required 1 day of clear liquids, then puree for 2 weeks. I did ok with pureed fruits and veggies, pudding, etc; but I found it difficult to get the Protein in. I refused to eat the Gerber meats... I wouldn't even give those to my kids. My dietician suggested pureed chicken salad. Pureed meat, even if you make it yourself, is pretty gross looking. The chicken salad didn't seem all that different from how it normally was, it even had a little bit of texture to it. I used lowfat Mayonnaise and a recipe that didn't have a lot of carbs. Oh, and I also masked pureed meat in BBQ Sauce. I found one that was lower in carbs and put a tsp in with pureed chicken or lean pork. Really helped it go down easier.

Good luck with your surgery!

[Shelley8882 0]

First off, Congrats on the decision to get banded!!

For me, the most important thing was my ICE PACKS!!! I was extremely sore in the port area (I still am a little sore today) and my ice packs were the only thing that made it better...not even the pain RX. I ended up buying 4 of them so I always had one that would be cold. I found these great ones at CVS...they are called "pea packs". They look like they are filled with little blue peas; they formed to my body and just made it feel much better! I would recommend them to anyone having the surgery.

Besides them, a Protein shake you will enjoy and some yummy sugar-free pops!!

Good Luck!!!