after surgery

[Rainydayz 27]

My nut. told me to use only whey isolate Protein. The best I have found is nectar Syntrax sold on the Bariatric Advantage website. Lots of flavors that taste like juice and some choclate and vanilla too.

Also, ask your dr. if he prescribes anything for heartburn. I had a lot after surgery and tool Prilosec. Sometimes they prescribe something. Good luck!

[bubbly78 1]

I will also look into that shake....i didnt think about the heart burn..

[Suzannesh 376]

You guys are the best I really apprecite it. I have gotten alot of information from you 2..I find it very helpful. WOW 3 more days for me to go, Is the Premier Protein at Cosco te same as unjury or do I need t purchase Unjury or Isopure.Just still questions I wonder about.I have a shake from herbal life unsure if that one is okay.

Bubbly 78

My link

Just a warning--I hated Isopure. So if you can buy it at GNC and keep the receipt. There are GNC in most Malls. They will refund your money if you buy something from them and don't like it. Isopure tates like Isopuke to me or pound sucm. As you can tell I don't care for it.

Hugs,

Suzanne

[Suzannesh 376]

My nut. told me to use only whey isolate Protein. The best I have found is nectar Syntrax sold on the Bariatric Advantage website. Lots of flavors that taste like juice and some choclate and vanilla too.

Also, ask your dr. if he prescribes anything for heartburn. I had a lot after surgery and tool Prilosec. Sometimes they prescribe something. Good luck!

Hi, if you have insurance and your doctor prescribes something ask for the Generic Prilosec. I can get a 90 day supply for $7.00 through my insurance company. And Prilosec worked for me so much better than Nexium which cost a lot of $$$$.

Hugs,

Suzanne

[Sleevie WonderLand 41]

Some of the posts I've read strongly suggest some sort of lip balm as some people complained that their mouths and lips were very dry after the surgery.

[bubbly78 1]

Thanks so much so I will make sure to bring my lip balm and generic prilosec...

Suzanne so the drink at Cosco is the best basically and can I drink that on the first stage..Just wondering

3 more days to surgery with Dr. Aceves..Whoo Hooo..Excited

My link

Some of the posts I've read strongly suggest some sort of lip balm as some people complained that their mouths and lips were very dry after the surgery.

[Suzannesh 376]

Thanks so much so I will make sure to bring my lip balm and generic prilosec...

Suzanne so the drink at Cosco is the best basically and can I drink that on the first stage..Just wondering

3 more days to surgery with Dr. Aceves..Whoo Hooo..Excited

My link 

Hi,

I could not drink it in the 1st 10 days. What I had to do the 1st 10 days is drink clear liquids--things that you can see through. Honestly I couldn't find a Protein drink that I liked that I could drink when I was in the Clear liquids. However I have found something that you could drink that is good and the web site is www.netrition.com I like the Necter variety pack and the cost is $22.95. So you might like to try that. After the 1st 10 days I COULD drink the premier Protein Drink and I love it. I mix it in a blender with about 4 small ice cubes and it taste much better to me that way.

Hugs,

Suzanne

[bubbly78 1]

[bubbly78 1]

Thanks Suzanne, I think I saw somewhere to get nectar and mix with chocolate...I think.I didnt see where to purchase it so thanks...So basically for the hospital stay, laptop, night gown, slippers, anything else.. I saw heating pad do we need that..

I am literally writing these tips down.>Thanks

Jackie

My link

[Suzannesh 376]

Hi,

This is something that I post about once a month. A lot of us have put this together about what to take with you when going for WLS. I want to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, so some of this pertains to that trip.

Here is what I took and you might want to have when you pack for the Weight Loss Surgery with Dr. Aceves.

1. Gas-X because you will have gas after the surgery and they don't have Gas-X in Mexico. They (the nurses and doctors) will ask you are you passing gas? It is nice to have this on the plane ride home too after the surgery. I bought a box (of 36 tabs) of Gas-X (thin strips) that you just put the strip in your mouth. It tastes good and it is easy to take--no Water required—nothing difficult to swallow either.

2. A comfortable bra & panties--nothing very tight (cotton is nice—what ever you like to wear) to wear home on the plane or if you want to wear these items in the hospital. Everyone was pretty relaxed with what they slept in or wore around the hospital. I didn't bring a robe at all--Just T-shirts and comfortable pants. Maybe a sweatshirt because the air conditioner makes it cool sometimes and then there are times when the air conditioner isn’t working that well. Bring some extra T-shirts in case you spill on yourself. My IV came out and I got blood on one of my T-shirts. I just washed it out in the sink and hung it up in the shower to dry.

3. Drawstring pants or pants with elastic waist—nothing tight around the middle section. I had some Nike walking pants and they were very comfortable—or short, or pants you would wear to relax in. I also had some that I wore to sleep in, walk around the hospital in and wore them home on the plane too (a pair for each day you are going to be away from home). Sweatpants work great too. I was there in Oct and so the air conditioning was going and sometimes it was cool at night when I was sleeping--so I brought some warm socks along too. But in some rooms the air conditioning wasn't working so well in their rooms and they were warmer than some of us were. If it is too warm or too cold tell one of the nurses they will help you with anything you need. They are excellent when you need something—don’t be afraid to ask.

4. A heating pad--I was so glad I had mine (someone had suggested I bring one) because it felt good on my stomach area. When my feet were cold at night I used my heating pad on my feet. Also when I was there with a friend for her surgery in April 2009 I found out at the nurse’s stations they also had heating pads—so if you don’t want to bring your own use theirs.

5. Some kind of slip on shoe for the plane ride home and something to wear in the hospital (I had some flip flops for the hospital and some clogs for the plane ride home. Flip flops didn't take up a lot of room in your suitcase. I also carried on the plane my tote bag carrying some things like, meds, change of underwear—in case my suitcase got lost, a snack so I could eat something after the tests that first day you arrive—because they will tell you not to eat a few hours before you get to Mexicali because of the tests you are going to be having upon arrival at the hospital in Mexicali. Sometimes you have to wait for everyone to have their test before they take you to the hotel and your are soooooooo hungry because you haven’t eaten anything all day long because most of us are flying into San Diego, so bring a snack that you can eat after your tests while waiting to go to the hotel. I brought along some packages of trail mix—bring what you like.

6. Only one (1) small or medium sized suitcase with wheels is really great because you will have to deal with your own suitcase at the airport (coming and going). I also brought along my laptop computer so I could stay in touch with my friends and family—I carried that on the plane too—don’t put it in a suitcase—too much stuff has been stolen out of suitcases.

7. Please be aware if you use your cell phone in Mexicali they will charge you roaming fees to CALL OUT. For me if people called me from the US to Mexicali and they were calling my Cell Phone there were NO ROAMING charges because they called me from the US. Most all cell phones work in Mexicali; I think they said Cricket was the only Carrier that they had problems with. I didn't have anyone come with me for the surgery, and they were so nice as to call someone (in the US) for me after surgery and let them know that I was doing great.

• I brought my own favorite small pillow with me (almost sofa size). It was nice to have it while I was in the hospital and on the plane ride home.

9. As far as money someone suggested I bring about $45.00 to $50.00 in one's so that I could have them for tipping—they all accept US money in Mexicali. I tipped Ernesto $25.00 who picks you up and takes you to the hospital, takes you to the hotel, takes you back the hospital for surgery and then back to the San Diego airport. He takes such good care of everyone and I tipped him at the end when he took me back to the airport to go home. I also tipped the hotel guys for taking my bag to my room, and when I had dinner that night at the hotel. I would also bring along a small gift for 4 or 5 nurses or give them a little cash—I understand they really don’t make a lot of money and they might appreciate the cash as a gift. I would suggest that you take enough money or Credit Card or Debit card to purchase the medication that you will need after the surgery. There is a pharmacy about 1/4 block from the hotel--anyone at the hospital will tell you where it is—it is a easy walk. The Nexium that Dr. Aceves suggests you take after surgery for acid reflux for about 3 months cost a lot less —don’t forget they will negotiate over the price of medication in Mexico –even when it is at a pharmacy-they will give a price and then ask them “if I buy 4 boxes will you sell it to me for—ask for a lower price. This medication costs a lot less in Mexicali than in the US—so don’t forget to buy it while you are there. I also bought Prilosec because some people had told me that Nexium did work for them—as it turned out I was one of those people that Nexium didn’t work that well on and so I was glad that I purchased Prilosec.

10. Do not take any jewelry with you or wear any. All I took was my watch. Leave ALL other jewelry at home.

11. Be prepared that Ernesto will be late picking you up--find a place to sit down in the baggage area where they said he would pick you up. Make sure you can see people walking in that area and he will come walking down through there with your name on a sign holding it up. He will have you back at the airport on your return trip home in plenty of time to catch your plane ride home.

12. Bring a camera along to take some pictures of yourself in the “before stage” and maybe a group picture of the other people who are going to have the surgery the same day you do. I have kept in contact with them. You will be so glad you have done this. Take lots of pictures. People really do enjoy seeing the pictures if they are considering doing this surgery.

13. Don’t forget the personal things like toothbrush, Shampoo, soap that you may want to use in the shower, a razor, cream rinse for you hair—maybe a hair curler and hair dryer if you wan I don’t know if you want to bring make-up—I did, because I wanted to look ok going home on the plane. Yes, we used their Water to take a shower—it is ok for showers… they do give you bottled water to drink.

14. I brought along a book I wanted to read along with my Ipod, so I could listen to my own music. You may or may not get a lot of reading done because you might want to take some nice naps too. Getting up and walking around is good for you and it makes you feel a lot better too.

15. Bring along some chap stick for your lips—they dry out and it is good to have something to put on your lips.

If anyone else can add anything please jump in here and help me out! I know you are worried about a few small things and I can tell you not to worry because we all have been where you are. Just keep posting to the web site-- anything you want to say or ask. We all understand and have been where you are right now. I wish you GREAT success and it will be a life changing event and in about 2 months you will be saying the same thing too.

Also Linda adds that when they make you drink the vile stuff to make sure your new stomach has no leaks don’t for get to ask for chips of ice. It numbs your taste buds because they are so cold and you can drink their YUCK stuff. She did it and it worked great for her. I didn’t know about it and I wished I would have. I think they do this on the 3 day before you go home.

Suzanne

This is what someone else added to what I put on my list--you never can have too much help or information

I wore and underwire.....so I didn't get that message! I also brought a robe...for sure and maybe flip flops or slippers for doing lots of walking after the surgery. They give you those hospital gowns, but the day after the surgery, I was in my own pjs that were button down the front and elastic band capris...something easy to slip in and out of. Suzanne says-- I put my on PJ’5 on after the surgery when I got up to go to the bathroom.

I would definitely take a comfy pillow for on the plane ride too. Just don't over pack! You will need very few things....one outfit for the day you arrive and one for when you leave and just the PJ’s for comfort.

You may need to have something on the plane ride....maybe some tea from Starbucks or get some hot water and add some chicken broth to the hot water--(take chicken broth packets from Top Ramen Noodles works great for the Chicken broth. You most likely won't be hungry at all....but just in case......a clear broth with water works.

I realized that most of the stuff that I brought, I didn't even need.....so pack light! You will mostly be walking the halls of the hospital!

The best of luck to you! You will do great!

Hugs,

Suzanne

[Tas 0]

Does Maalox Advanced work at all?

[SKCUNNINGHAM 298]

I loved the Isopure PLUS and hated the regular Isopure. ISOPURE PLUS comes in two lightly flavored choices, grape frost and punch. Sort of like if you mixed half a tube of crystal light into a bottle of Water. I ordered a case of each from Amazon (I live in the middle of nowhere) Each 8 oz bottle has 15 grams of Protein.

I also got the concentrated broth in a jar - sort of a paste consistency - tastes much better than boullion cubes. I got beef, veggie and chicken. And, I seasoned the chicken with soy sauce.

I used a lot of SF popsicles, and Propel Water. It is also lightly flavored. I have an assortment of crystal light tubes.

Also, have a heating pad and an abdomen support belt. I wore my abdomen support 7 X 24 for 2 weeks after surgery once I got home. Made things much easier. I also have things that look like long (24") tube socks sewn closed on each end. They are filled with rice grains or buckwheat grains. You can heat them in the micro and they stay warm forever. I would tuck them next to my side where the incision was where they pulled the stomach out of (it was the sorest).

I took a pair of comfortable long pajamas to the hospital, extra underwear, fuzzy socks for my (always cold) feet, slippers, body moisturizer, cuticle cream (might as well cream your cuticles if you are just laying there), antiseptic wipes, my own pillow, carmax lip balm and a favorite perfume (to improve my mood). Also, my IPOD, a couple of magazines and a pad of paper and a pen.

Leave your jewelry at home. And, I wish I had had a front close soft bra (to wear under my pj top while walking the halls).

Good luck.

[bubbly78 1]

Thanks helpful

[bubbly78 1]

I didn't even think about tipping....u r a good tipper...

[Suzannesh 376]

I didn't even think about tipping....u r a good tipper...

You know I felt I got great service and I was takend care of and felt safe. The nurses and made who picked me up at the airport in San Diego are paid such a low wage. It was worth it to me to tell them how thankful I was for what they did for me.

Hugs,

Suzanne