Pre Op Shopping List for WLS

Hey Friends, Erin was asking for suggestions on what to stock up on for after surgery. We all know some of the basics, but this may bea good place for us to list what we think we may need! I'll start: Flinstone Vitamins, B-12 Calcium Chew I know there is more but I haven't my list in front of me "Food" Fat Free Broth Propel or Crystal Ligh****er Cottage Cheese Protein Shakes that have I think 60 grams protein less than 3 grams sugar( VITA LADY is a good site to check out, she has TONS of flavors) Yogurt ( sugar free fat free) Egg Beaters

Cindy just a few I can think of: 1)tuna in the pouch(my favorite is lemon pepper) 2)Zero Carb Isopure Drinks( they have 40 grams of protien) 3) this sounds kinda funny but Toddler Meat Sticks(beef, chicken and turkey) not sure on the protien count, but they have no preservative, one jar is probably 2 servings, but believe it or not they actually taste pretty good! 4) ground white chicken or turkey

This is a good thread. I have my Doctor appt today that will tell me all I have to do between now and surgery. Hopefully I will have some things to add later.

It really depends on what your surgeon requires and I notice all are different, here is my surgeon's eating plan for the 1st 6 weeks Gastric Bypass Post-Op Diet Plan: Stage 1: Week 1- Clear Liquids Stage 2: Weeks 2 + 3- Full Liquids Stage 3: Weeks 4 + 5- Pureed Diet Stage 4: Week 6 and on- Introduction to Solids We also get a binder at our pre-op information class telling us what vitamins, protein etc that we are allowed to take. I would check before I purchased anything because the stuff is expensive and you don't want to waste money on stuff you might not be able to have. Stephanie

This was a list posted by a fellow WLS friend that already had it done. I'm not sure if you need everything on it...but I printed it and started checking things off already! a. Clip on fan for bedside b. toothbrush/toothpaste (should be supplied by the hospital)c. deodorant (should be supplied by the hospital) d. Lotion (should be supplied by the hospital) e. Moisturizing lip gloss (be careful with these as they are petroleum based and flammable, if you are on oxygen this may not be a good idea, check first!) f. powder (should be supplied by the hospital) g. shampoo (should be supplied by the hospital) h. brush i. hair clips, rubber bands, bandana or hat (you won't be able to wash your hair so whatever it takes to get it out of the way) j. nightgowns (could be difficult to use with the IV's you will have so you may just decide to use the hospital designer gowns k. robe l. slippers m. comfy pillows (don't be afraid to bring your own!) n. watch or travel clock o walkman or cd player (drowns out hospital noises) p. stuffed animal to brace against your tummy (hey, it works for some people) q. make up r. writing paper (pre-address the envelopes!) s. Books, magazines, cross-stitch, puzzles, etc. (but you'll probably never even pick them up) t. Stomach Binder (if they don't provide it, check with your surgeon.) u. Comfortable clothes to go home in. (or just go home in your robe on nightie...why not? v. list of phone numbers (If you need to talk with someone!!) w. chances are, if you are of menstruating age, that you will get your period in the hospital. So be prepared! Take panties, pads, tampax etc. They will have pads, but nothing for you to put them in, no pins, belts etc. x. Fabreeze or some air freshener, a scented candle Now Here is a list for stocking up on things at home: From the Supermarket: a. Sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast b. Sustical, Ensure, Boost, etc. c. Water d. Herb Tea (non-caffeinated) e. fat free canned chicken or beef broth f. Soup (stay with the simple ingredient ones) g. creamed soups (be careful with tomato soup. lots of sugar) h. bouillon (you'll want to water this down as the salt will knock your socks off!) i. rice or soy milk (nonfat) (only if lactose intolerant) j. sugar free Jell-O k. Mashed potatoes (you can thin this with chicken broth) l. Smooth, NO SUGAR added yogurts. m. Gatorade (again, may have too much sugar) n. Sugar free Kool-aid, Crystal lite, Diet Snapple, Diet Iced Botanicals o. Fruit juices cut half with water -- non-pulp grape, apple, Cranberry, etc. p. applesauce (check the label for sugar content!) q. sugar free popsicles r. Hot cereal (oatmeal, rice, grits, cream of wheat etc.) s. Baking potatoes (this will probably be ok around 3 weeks post op) u. Fresh fruit (can be pureed) Things to get from the drug store: a. Protein supplements (eg: Designer Whey or Carb Solutions Check the label for sugar!) b. Citrate of Magnesia OR Fleet Phospho Soda(VERY NASTY TASTING STUFF) (your doctor may require this to "clean you out' before surgery) c. Liquid pain reliever (children's liquid tylenol) d. Liquid, Chewable, Spray or Powder Multivitamin (Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, Centrum Chewable) e. Vitamin E Oil (if you put it on your scar, it will heal faster and not look as bad) f. Zinc to prevent hair loss g. Calcium citrate h. Chewable or liquid Iron i. Chewable or spray Ginseng to improve the smell of passing gas j. Chewable, sublingual or liquid B-12 Other Items that you may want to get: a. antibacterial soap b. ice cube trays for freezing right size portions of the puree stuff c. Blender - Handheld ones work great d. zip lock bags (to store frozen ice cubes) e. shot glass for measuring or those little cups you get salad dressing in f. Play tea set (helps portion control) g. camera (gotta have those before and after images. Be sure to take your measurements too!) h. seafood fork and baby spoons (helps you take smaller bites) chopsticks too! anything to slow down your eating i. a journal to keep your pictures in, and to chart your weight loss.