Anyone have suggestions for preparing for surgery and recovery?

[Bino 44]

I'm still almost six weeks out from surgery, but I want to do what I can now to prepare. I know I saw a list somewhere on the Forum, but can't find it again.

So far, I've only done a few things.

Bought:

A hand blender (which I absolutely love already) so I don't always have to get out my food processor to make pureed food

Some smaller bowls to use (I already have smaller plates)

GasX strips

Different samples of Protein powder and drinks to try out now.

I've also started making and freezing some meals for my hubby and son to eat while I don't feel like cooking.

Any and all other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!!

[highdesertblue 70]

I am four weeks out, and I have the same questions.

[jillstl 55]

You two are on the ball. I am also 6 weeks out. I'm going to Mexico for my surgery, so my preparation is a little chaotic. I am going to pack ahead of time, the items that I would need on any trip. And I want to make sure that everything is on wheels so I don't have to lift anything on my returning flight.

You are on the right track by preparing meals and freezing them. Are you already taking your bariatric Vitamins? I started mine this week. They already have me on a preop diet. Going to join a gym this week and start working out

s l o w l y. I'm curious to see your list.:-)

[TheBombMom 20]

Congratulations! I know it feels like forever before your surgery date gets here. Great job on planning ahead! My surgery date was 12/30/14. One suggestion I have (which really helped me) is to start now with modifying your diet. A few months before my surgery, I tried to keep my calories at around 1200. I also got a Fit Bit and downloaded the My Fitness Pal app onto my phone. It was really helpful for me to learn how to track my food and also made me aware of how fast those calories really add up!

Good luck! I'm sure everything will be great for you!

Sharon

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I would say make sure you have additional samples of Protein powders/drinks on hand for after surgery. Because if you sample something now and buy a tub of it before surgery, you may well find that you loathe it after surgery. Sampling now is fine but many if not most people need to sample after surgery before committing to a larger quantity.

I made sure I had my Vitamins and supplements ready to go -- I used liquids rather than chewables for the first four weeks. I got a heating pad, which I found very comforting after surgery. A digital food scale. I was required by my surgeon to have a home blood pressure cuff since I had high blood pressure prior to surgery, and blood pressure can fluctuate a lot after surgery.

I also made sure I was stocked up on my Amazon instant video library, Netflix queue, and had a bunch of books to read.

Good luck!

[Bino 44]

You two are on the ball. I am also 6 weeks out. I'm going to Mexico for my surgery, so my preparation is a little chaotic. I am going to pack ahead of time, the items that I would need on any trip. And I want to make sure that everything is on wheels so I don't have to lift anything on my returning flight.

You are on the right track by preparing meals and freezing them. Are you already taking your bariatric Vitamins? I started mine this week. They already have me on a preop diet. Going to join a gym this week and start working out

s l o w l y. I'm curious to see your list.:-)

Are bariatric Vitamins different than normal Multivitamins?

[Bino 44]

@TheBombMom ... thank you for the suggestion. I made some changes (things I omitted) when I went grocery shopping and plan on making small changes to my food choices over the next few weeks.

[jillstl 55]

Are bariatric Vitamins different than normal Multivitamins?

They seem to be geared at your digestive system. Probably your basic Multi Vitamins in the end some other specifically for your gut health. I'm just speaking about what I am taking.

[k9nana 50]

My surgery is scheduled for March 3rd. I've been obsessed with research and watching youtube sleevers. I have read multiple books that I purchased on Amazon for my Kindle. They are so much cheaper that way. I have found a wealth of information in the "Big Book on Gastric Sleeve" and so many other publications. The Kindle version is about 10.00 and I've also found some books for 3.99.

My question is: Which unflavored protien powder is the best and will I need the giant costco sack or will a smaller container be sufficient? Is the Unjury brand the best or is it just good advertising? I see Isopure on the list but hear that the isopure drinks are awful.

Last question, I'm buying the Unjury chicken Soup, will one can be enough? Any input out there?

[minniegirl 258]

Is the unjury brand the best or is it just good advertising? I see Isopure on the list but hear that the isopure drinks are awful.

Last question, I'm buying the Unjury chicken Soup, will one can be enough? Any input out there?

Definitely good advertising BUT I have tried the Unjury choc, van, strawberry and the chix soup and they are all EXCELLENT. No hint of anything weird whatsoever. I ordered all my Protein and all my Vitamins from Unjury yesterday, $233 for 3 months of Vitamins and about 5 weeks of Protein. Seemed like a lot to me at first but as I think about it it really isn't bad, and I AM WORTH IT lol

[The_Maite 5]

I have my surgery on the 19th and Im waiting to hear back on a preop diet. While I do, I've started a self imposed pre op liquid diet and, I'm researching some Protein Shakes that are type 2 diabetes friendly, since some can contain too much sugar. I'm excited, scared and hopeful about surgery and the next coiple wks are gonna feel like the longest ever...lol Im so glad I found this place!

[k9nana 50]

How did your surgery and recovery go? I hope that your doing well and have something to share with us waiting for our surgery day. Best wishes for a wonderful journey.

[IvyLeagueNP 31]

I think one of the harder things is the no drinking with meals... Maybe start practicing that. No fluids 15 mins before a meal/during/30 mins after.

Start tracking your food.

Measure everything.

Chew chew chew.

[LSF 264]

I had surgery 2/4. I pre-made my Jello the day before my surgery. Stocked up on Soups and Protein Drinks. costco sells Premier Protein which I love. I've been drinking them since 2008 when I got my lapband and just revised to sleeve. Plus they are 30 grams of Protein. Walmart had an Atkins shake that's Mocha Latte. I bought a 4 pack and am regretting I didn't get more. They are delicious. I bought small paper coffee cups and I put my Soup in those. Ocean State Job Lot sells little containers. I stocked up on those. I made a batch of ground chicken meatballs and stored those in small containers and put in the freezer

[k9nana 50]

Ocean State Job Lot....... where are you in MA I haven't heard that name in a long time.

I plan on visiting Blackstone MA. in Sept. My surgery is on March 3rd. and I'm concerned about what my family will say about my weight loss. I haven't told them about my upcoming VSG and really don't want to. I'm hoping that I can get by with just "being on a diet" or " eating healthy" I think its all they need to know.