Help! Newbie! Need Advice!

Hi All, I found out my surgery date is September 28th. I have lots of things to get done before then and need some advice. First off, Im not sure what to take to the hospital or what to have on hand when I get home from the hospital. What type of products such as protien powders, drinks, vitamins, calcium, yogurt, or anything that I could eat post op for a liquid diet for a full month. I am also wondering, is there anything I should be incorporating into my diet to prevent hair loss? I am planning on getting a perm and foil before surgery as I have read where sometimes the anisthesia could alter the outcome if done afterward. Another question I have is does anyone have any suggestions as far as things I should do before surgery or ask such as maybe taking measurements or whatever? I am not even sure what areas to take measurements on.If anyone has any suggestions in this area as well, I would truely appreciate any advise. I want to be as prepared as I can be. My angle is Julie D and she will be keeping tabs on me. God Bless her!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASEI need any and all information you all could give me. Even as to where to purchase certain products, names of them etc. Thanks so much in advance. Warmly, Sherri B

((((((((((((((First off, Im not sure what to take to the hospital or what to have on hand when I get home from the hospital. What type of products such as protien powders, drinks, vitamins, calcium, yogurt, or anything that I could eat post op for a liquid diet for a full month. I am also wondering, is there anything I should be incorporating into my diet to prevent hair loss?)))))))))))))))) Well I didn't take anything with me to the hospital except for my CPAP machine. I packed clothing but didn't need it until the day I got out and my hubby just brought that bag back to me so I could get dressed. They kept us in johnny's the whole time. They provide you with a bucket type thing that has deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, etc. If you don't want to use the toiletries they provide then I suggest you bring your own. I bought this one protein powder from Walmart that was so nasty I can't remember the name. I finally settled on carnation instant breakfast but then realized I couldn't stand it after my surgery. So now I am drinking those soy protein drinks you can find at GNC. I got apple (which I Love), grape, blue raspberry and another flavor. I hear if you take a prenatal that will help with hair loss but I am not sure what else there is........................................................... ((((((((((((((((((have is does anyone have any suggestions as far as things I should do before surgery or ask such as maybe taking measurements or whatever?))))))))))))))))))) Well before surgery I had to go on a 2 week pre-op 3 shakes a day plus one lean meal. I tried cutting down on everything. I stopeed snacking between meals. Basically getting ready for the future. I had my mother take my measurements because I knew if my husband did it we'd aruge about where to put the damn tape measure. she measured my: HIPS, THIGHS, BUST, WAIST, NECK, FACE, ANKLE, WRIST, UPPER ARM. I think that was it. I think it is very important to do it right before your surgery. Also I reccomend doing it monthly. With past weight losses I found that by taking my measurements it helped when there were times I wasn't loosing pounds. I was loosing inches. And it is pretty cool to actually know how many you've gone down. Alot of people mean to but forget and always wish they did at the beginning...................... (((((((((((((Even as to where to purchase certain products, names of them etc)))))))))))))))) When I was looking for my viatmins I was able to find a calcium citrate vitamin, chewable. I found them at a local warehouse. They are called Solaray and are orange flavored with no sugar added. You need to take 4 of these a day. I find that with this and my multi if I just chew them up with out any liquids they go down without any problems. I also take a multi vitamin chewable by Centrum. They are new to the market in my area. You only take 1 and it is also orange flavor. Also in case you forget GNC is a great place to buy your protein drinks..................... I hope that helps. Shannon

I packed my CPAP, some shampoo, some toothpaste and toothbrush, some clean underwear, some chapstick, a book, a journal, and my slide-on slippers. I didn't get to take a shower or wash my hair until the day I left, and the hospital provided shampoo. I used my slippers, my journal, my CPAP, and my book. The hospital provided everything else I needed. I bought some Nectar protein drinks (from the website Bariatric Eating) ahead of time to have at home when I got out of the hospital. I also bought sf popsicles, bouillon, gatorade, V8, sf CIB, and some Fruit 2O. I've heard some say that biotin is what helps you keep your hair and the Nectar drinks have biotin. I merely weighed myself the morning of surgery. My doctor's office got a waist measurement on me about a month before, so I didn't bother taking another one. Don't stress too much about what to bring or what to have at home. It's likely you'll have help and if you need anything all you'll have to do is ask. Good luck!

I am a newbie too relatively. I had my lap band done 9/10. I would suggest taking an outfit to go home in, robe, slippers, hairbrush, toothbrush and deoderant and something to keep you occupied, either cd player or a book work well. Protein helps prevent hair loss. There are many brands out there Atkins for one is sold at walgreens or you can get nectar, isopur and other ones at GNC. You also need chewable multivitamin such as Centrum and calcium. Now the Viactiv calcium chews are pretty good! I would also have broth on hand, 100% fruit juice, sugar free jello and or popsicles since they are all part of the clear liquid diet. You can also have sugar free hard candy in moderation. Day before surgery I would recommend taking your weight and measurements and photo's from all angles if possible just think, this is your before picture and stats! Something to be excited about! Hope this helps

Sherri, I had RNY 14 months ago & have a small business in which I sell to my WLS group members protein supplements & low carb products. I don't think it is a good idea to put protein powder of ANY kind in your pouch right after surgery. We tell our post-ops to wait 21 days before trying a protein powder. I have found a protein powder that is 100% digested & it is the ONLY protein powder on the market that WE are able to count on 100%. You see, after RNY, we only digest 20 to 30% of what is put in our tummies, because the part that breaks down our foods is gone. So, to answer your question what should you buy afterwards --- none of us really like the taste, but about the ONLY thing you will be able to drink in order to get your daily protein requirements after surgery is either Pure Pro (4 flavors - pina colada, grape, tropical punch & strawberry banana) or Isopure (5 flavors - passion fruit, grape, orange, apple melon, blue raspberry or peach mango). The Pure Pro comes in plastic bottles (Isopure in glass) - 22 oz. & both are ready-to-drink liquid & both contain 40 grams of protein. It is suggested that you NOT purchase a huge supply before surgery, as your tastes may change after surgery & you won't like it. When you drink your first make sure you water them down quite a bit, as you won't be able to drink it all if you don't. Good luck with that. If you want to purchase from me (only if you cannot find them where you live) contact me at maggles_2003 @yahoo.com & we can discuss it further. Re: hair loss -- If you get a perm prior to surgery, the anesthesia will make your hair very rubbery & you will have to get it cut afterwards anyway in order to keep it in good repair. Most of us don't start to lose our hair right away & some in our group haven't lost any hair at all. If you're going to lose your hair it will start to happen at 3 months out (usually). So, just take a turban to the hospital w/you to keep your hair covered (for pictures if you plan on taking some). Otherwise, let your hair breathe & relax. Perms are very hard on our hair as is any type surgery. Regarding measurements, tracking, etc. -- there is a website called fitday.com where you can enter your info & it will tell you EXACTLY how many calories, fat, sugars, carbs you've eaten & it can be very helpful to you in your journey & your new way of eating. Tell your angel to take lots of reading material, a pair of good walking shoes (for your walks), & I don't know about your hospital, but ours provided us with warm blankets & pillows. If yours doesn't furnish them for non-patients, then she should take those items too & possibly a sweater, because at night it gets very cold in the hospital. Also, she should take her own jug of water (or whatever she drinks). We WLS'ers in AZ use the 1/2 gal jugs & carry them with us wherever we go post-op. If you freeze about 1/3 of the water, put ice cubes on top of it & fill it with water when you're going somewhere, it will last all day long (7 hrs). Then you always have your liquid with you wherever you go. We are required to drink 64 oz./day (1/2 gal) because dehydration is really significant, especially for WLS post-ops & where we live requires us to drink even more in the summer. We cannot do advertising on this site, so I hope that giving my group email address is okay. I wish you the very best on your special day & will look forward to your diary afterwards. I hope your angel knows how very important a role she is playing in this process too. Tell her that it is a very rewarding experience & we have a better experience because of "special" people like her. Best regards, Maggie

Hi Newbie! I am almost 6 weeks post op, from my RNY. I have been taking Floc acid and Biotin Caps for hair loss ( preventative). also I keep good tabs on my protien intake. So far so good, I'm not loosing any hair, but I have been told that it starts falling out at about 6 weeks. Yikes! I'll keep my fingers crossed!!! I brought a book to read, but I found that napping, walking and being poked and prodded for 5 days kept me very busy in the hospital. There seemed to be no down time at all. I brought chap stick ( a life saver) and a tooth brush. I didn't need anything else. Maybe some lotion for my feet would have been nice...but the nurses should be able to provide that for you. At home I had pro-cell and yogurt waiting. I knew my "tastes" would be different after the surgery, so I didn't get too mu*****ase I hated it. I get to chew in 5 more days! I have been on baby food and other forms of "sludge". I have lost 30 pounds so far. Don't worry about a thing. Just stay positive, and handle the challenges as they present themselves. You will do fine, and pretty soon, you'll be half the person you are!!! Avalon