Post-Op must haves....

[missymoo78 0]

Hi! I finally have a surgery date! :thumbup: It is September 2nd and it will be here before you know it. I've been to the nutrition class but can anyone share some of the "must have" items you needed after surgery? What in the world did you eat/drink those first few days. The nutritionist recommended Isopure because of the Protein content, but it looked as thick as molasses!:thumbup: Any ideas would help! Thanks so much for all of your support over the past few months!

[Jodi_620 37]

Congratulations on getting your date.

Make sure you get a script for nausea along with pain meds just in case. I also got prescription antacids.

Gas X

Clear broth

sugar free Popsicles (help with sore throat)

Loose fitting undies and pants (I wore light night gowns as much as possible for the first few days--they don't irritate the incisions as much. )

Shoes that you can step into without bending

Oh and tongs...they work great if you need to pick something up from the floor (bending over hurts!)

Edited August 11, 2008 by Jodi_620

[Angelsma 1]

CONGRATULATIONS!! In addition what everyone has said before...I found the following helpful.

Although I have a desk job I took off a week from work to recoup. Others here said they took 2-3 days but I was sooooo tired and needed frequent naps or least the option to lay down.

Stock up on low sodium Soups cream and broth based as well as powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken broth(20 grams protein) you can order from Unjury.com

Fat Free/Sugar Free Jello and pudding cups.

Gas-X (I used the CVS brand and it was fine)

If you don't have a recyliner to sleep in seriously practice getting up w/out using your stomach muscles (harder than you think) by pressing your pillow up against your stomach firmly - your dr's may have a one-pager on this.

[PATCHELTON 0]

I found it helpful to get my post-op Rx from the surgeon beforehand, unless you have someone who can go to the pharmacy for you after you come home. I live alone so I did that, then didn't have to stop on the way home.

As for Protein drinks, unjury is good (powder that you mix), comes in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and chicken Soup flavors. Unjury.com is their site. You can also get EAS Advantage (powder or ready to drink) in Target or Walmart, an Atkins Advantage (ready to drink) at Target among other places. My sister found a Protein Drink at Trader Joe's called Worldwide Protein shake. TJ carries it in vanilla or chocolate in 21 or 35 grams of Protein. The 21's are $1.69 (in Maryland) and the 35's are $2.29. GNC carries the 35's but charges $2.99 for each. The Vitamin Shoppe carries the 35's for $2.79 and they have the other flavors of strawberry, Cookies n' Cream, or banana Cream. I think they taste better than Atkins, have more protein, very low in carbs and sugar. It is milk based in case you have a problem with that. It also is not loaded with Vitamins, since you will be taking them anyway.

I would also suggest getting in a supply of the chewable vitamins and Calcium that you will need. Bariatric Advantage.com sells a variety. I take Centrum chewables, and my calcium citrate (don't get carbonate--doesn't absorb as well)with D (should be D3 or cholocalciferol) and magnesium comes from Twin Labs. I got them for around $7.00 for 60 wafers from vitacost.com (much cheaper than retail, even with $4.99 shipping--I got a couple bottles at a time--shipping the same).

Whatever your surgeon gives you for the liquid and pureed stages I would try to get ahead of time so you won't have to shop for a couple weeks. And if you can get rid of everything you are not supposed to have or eat. This is hard if you have a family, but the less tempted the better.

Congratulations on becoming a bandster!

[bas 0]

Congratulations and best of luck on your upcoming surgery!

Adding to what's above:

liquid Tylenol (When you don't want to take the RX one.)

Rachel Ray's chicken and beef broths taste MUCH better than Swanson (you can get them at Walmart)

I know someone mentioned a recliner. If you don't have one ... you might consider investing in one! I don't know how I would have slept without mine during the healing process!!

[Jodi_620 37]

I do agree that I wished several times that I had a recliner. I did do fine on the couch though. You definitely won't want to lie flat in bed for a few days. A bunch of pillows to prop yourself up on the couch will probably work fine too...I did it that way for a week.

[missymoo78 0]

Awesome! Thanks for the replies....i'm making my shopping list!

[SalOdyssey 441]

New whey Protein bullets. I hear they taste pretty good. I am going to get my 12 pack this week to see if I like how they taste. I am due to get banded hopefully by late Sept/October. You can get them at GNC.

Sal

[mustangirl 0]

Great tips, that's why I love this site! I'm banding on the 21st so I am looking for the same info. I'm finding lots of tips--THANKS :biggrin2: