Help Me Stock My Pantry

[waitingpatiently 250]

You guys are great!!! this has helped me so much!!. I think after I have completed my 2 week pre-op (that way I can add some things I found useful) I will make a complete list and attach it to the thread that way others will be able to down load the list and take it with them to their dietian for approval and then to the store as a grocery list.

Keep the tips coming they are great!!!

[pink dahlia 2,513]

put a bottle of Water and some lifesavers in the car for the ride home from the hospital. even with ice water and ice chips in the recovery room i still had bad cottonmouth all day long. i found the boxed chicken broth way too salty, but i loved campbells chicken noodle or vegetable beef Soup ( just the broth ). try some sf pudding cups frozen, they taste like ice cream ! also i dont like bottled water but i love Propel , some people like Gatorade Light or something like that. good luck to you !

[atcg1rl 0]

I agree with the list of zinhaha. You'll definitely need food woyh substance like sugar free puddings, Protein puddings, and hummus. You won't be too hungry initially, but as soon as the band heels you will be starving. Just stay low carb, and concentrate on Proteins. Atcg1rl.

[ellendeette 1]

I was going to add that I wasn't big on sugar-free anything. To soften the blow on the sugar-free pudding, I would add low-fat whipped creme. You can put a little on your pudding or Jello. I rarely like Jello because of that two week before and two week after surgery.

After the two weeks after surgery, I really did not like eating anything sugar-free. I would rather have nothing than having it or would rather just have a smaller amount of the real food (not sugar-free). I don't think the sugar-free part of foods is good for you.

I also made my own soups/broth. It seemed more flavorful. You can freeze it so you always have some around. Creamy Soups had more flavor too.

Popsicles were good too. I bought the ones with low sugar. I can't eat those anymore either because I ate them for two weeks before and after surgery. I think I as burned out on all those things.

Yogurt really helps too when you get the mushy stage.

[lisanj 15]

You should try the Jello cook n serve sugar free fat free pudding...it only comes in a few flavors and takes longer to make, but i like it way way better than instant

[ssmsdjs 11]

Greek yogurt is also good it has a lot of protien. I jike the dannon and fage brand of greek yogurt

[NWgirl 574]

Yoplait has the new Greek yogurt four packs. The honey vanilla and coconut both are creamy and have no lumps or seeds.

[Sojourner 2,446]

Ok. I need help. I start my pre-op diet in 4 days.Followed by Surgery on the March 15. Although I do like my surgeon, I feel I have been left to sink or swim when it comes to what I really need to have on hand for bothe the pre-op and especially for the first couple weeks after surgery. I told to drink 2 Protein drinks a day and either a very small dinner or a lean cusine. So I have gathered from other posts that the powder Protein mixes are better than the premixed stuff.And it looks like Primere(?) Brand at Sams is a good choice.So that will get me through the pre-op.

But what about post op? What should I consider having on hand that will help me get through the first week or two on a liquid diet. I know I need Vitamins (seems like several bandsters like flintstones) any certain brand of Calcium better than others? I thought I would get broth, tea, diet fruit juice,popsicles, can anyone add to my list?

Thanks for your help, the last thing I want to be thinking about is going to the store the first week or two.

Every doctor seems to have their preferred approach to the liquid diet...pre-op the only real chewable anything I had for the 2 weeks was 1 cup of raw salad veggies every day, and focus on taking in enough protein every day. The range varies by your age and height. For me, it was 62-80 grams daily. And a total of 80 oz of liquids. I was allowed to include the 3 cups of skim milk mixed with the Protein Powder in my daily Fluid totals.

Post op diet also varies; I was on liquids for the first week with the same protein and fluid goals. Week 2 I was able to add 6 oz of a no sugar added, fat free yogurt daily as a substitute for one cup of milk.

The key is to avoid any products which have sugar added. I was advised that we were permitted to use seasonings (even salt) within reason, and use splenda for sweetening. I have been overcome with cravings for salt several times, and I was thankful for having broth. SF Jello was allowed, pudding was not.

Altering the recommended diet post op can be a slippery slope of having your metabolism reverting to burning carbs instead of the fat we want to loose. We were told that naturally occuring sugar (such as in unsweetened fruit flavored yogurt) is allowed, but anything with sugar added is a definite no!

I am surprised at the number of people active on this forum who were not required to take a nutrition class as part of their education process with relearning to eat in a healthful way. I was required to meet with a registered dietitician a minimum of 3 times total. If you have questions or concerns, it would be helpful to meet with a dietician, and this cost may even be covered by your insurance.

Good luck as you move forward with your journey! There are many knowlegable participants on this forum...so ask your questions!

[NWgirl 574]

My Dr gave me a booklet with all the necessary info. They are a center of excellence and allow the following:

- Phase one (first two weeks after surgery):

2% milk, low fat yogurt (no seeds or chunks), Protein supplement, Soups without lumps/chunks, Tomato Soup w/added milk, non-fat milk powder, pureed Soups (must strain through a sieve after blending), low-sodium vegetable juice, maximum 10oz per day 100% fruit juice diluted 1:1.

Phase 2 (2-4 weeks after surgery) is pureed foods.

Phase 3 (4-6 weeks after surgery) is soft foods.

After 6 weeks, you can start to eat "normal" foods. They recommend introducing new foods one at a time to make sure you can tolerate.

[ucdog94 0]

crystal light, mio, At Walmart i get the body fortress whey Protein, I was told adult only Vitamins that you can chew. I really look forward to chicken broth.

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[Quinnmc79 27]

I had the same question about the gum - why can't you shew it? I'm big on gum....

[GLove 44]

chewing gum often contain sugar alcohols and it can increase the amount of air you take in, causing bloating, and if swallowed it can also block the opening between your stomach and small intestine.

[judych 225]

Im just wondering why we can't chew gum? I haven't heard that

i read here somewhere that if we chew gum and accidently swallowed it we would be in difficulty.. it would get stuck.