Do's and Don'ts?

Is there some sort of list for Post-Surgery do's and don'ts as far as foods/bevvies etc?  I'm set for surgery in September and am trying to get my head around everything so quickly! Id appreciate some tips/suggestions. I've already heard no caffeine and sodas (something about the bubbles???) Also, does everyone usually stay overnight or 2 nights?  Of course all these questions are popping up in my head NOW, lol ;) Thanks in advance

Crysti congratulations on your upcoming surgery for sure!

The best thing I can tell you is to follow your doctors protocal. Yeah we know a lot of do's and don'ts , but most of us followed what our doctor said to do.

Keep coming around and posting on the boards and reading....there is a wealth of info here!!!

Good Luck!  

Good Morning :) When will I get the protocol?  When I meet with the nutritionist?  Just trying to plan ahead is all :) Thank you!

Hi CrystiP, You sound just like me.  I am having my surgery on 8/1/08.  I think my process of getting started was super quick.  I just posted to my blog of some the thoughts and concerns I have about this surgery.  From what I have been reading it is different for each person.  Each doctor has his/her own rules etc.  I about fainted whenI read you heard about no caffeine.  I think I would die if I had to give up coffee.  But they say you are changed after the surgery.  What you loved before, you can hate now and visa versa.  Good luck to you and keep us posted. rlfroo

Hi!!  I just cannot imagine myself not liking my coffee in the am but if it's what I have to do, then I'll do it! My frustration with the process is not knowing what to do, other than go to their hospital for everything. They make that real easy but it's hard for me, with so few vacation days etc.  I wanted to do the tests local....But whatever, one thing at a time.  I'm trying not to stress out but it's hard not knowing what the heck I'm doing here!  lol

Good for you to taking the bull by the horns and getting a jump on your preparation. There are different schools of thought in regards to caffeine and sodas. I abstain from both. I have trouble getting enough water in, and caffeine is a dieretic. So I skip it. As for soda, I've never really liked it, don't want my kids to like it, and my surgeon said it was a big no no. So easy to get rid of that one. I know plenty of successful post opers that drink it though. Janine is right. Its best to follow your docs protocol for the first year at least. They will be monitoring you closely (if you post op care is good) and you want to be able to speak of your diet on their terms. Way back when, when I was originally researching surgery, USC had their post op diet posted on their bariatric surgery website.

Hi Rachelq, I for the life of me cannot find any USC site!  The sites I've nosed around on are old and not much info on them.  I also joined the USC MSN group but honestly, it's not that active and I haven't even been "approved" yet and it's been quite a few days.  :(   Do you have a link to the site that you're referring to?  Maybe I'm missing something?  lol Thanks!

I think this may be the site you're looking for:

USC Bariatric Surgery

Hi Julia, I did see that but it didn't have the info I was looking for on it.  I'll keep checking and see what I come up with, thank you!!

Hi, Crysti-- I think I may have found a page here at OH that addresses your original question: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/nutrition/Nutritional-Guid elines-Following-Weight-Loss-Surgery.html Although these guidelines are not specific to USC, they will probably give you a general idea of what to expect. The center where I am having my surgery gave us all a binder at our very first orientation meeting.  One whole section of the binder was devoted to post-surgery nutrition.  They also required us to go to a meeting where a dietician went over that section thoroughly and answered questions.  This was required well before we would be cleared for surgery and receive a date.  I'm sure every surgery center is a little different, so perhaps USC will go over this with you later.  You can certainly call and ask them--I'm sure they have some sort of handout.  In the meantime, check out the the link above.  You might also want to buy the book Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies.  I have found it very informative--you can get it at www.amazon.com. Hope this helps! --Julia