Tight Budget!!! What do I really need???

Ok I don't want to post a long posting but basically I have saved every penny I have to get insurance and pay my deductilbe in order to have this surgery so with that being said I need to know other than food, I get food stamps what do I really need for hospital and at home.  I don't want to waste my money on any leisures and I do kind of have a list started but I am afraid of not having everything.  I thought I would post this to get us cali folks talking.  come on girls help a sista out, lol

protien, protien, protien...lol vitamins, soups, jello.. (albertsons has sugar free jello cups for $1 for 4 of them... tht way you dont have to make it)

Congrats on getting your surgery date...just a few days now to wait..how exciting!  Not knowing what facility you are going thru, I'll be very generic in my suggestions ;-)  Pack light for the hospital...robe, slippers, loose clothes to go home in..keep it simple. Most hospitals will have you up and walking just a couple hours after you get to your room. You will want to continue the walking after you get home...for several reasons: 1) to help 'eliminate' the gas effects of surgery and 2) start getting into the habit of exercise..even if it's only walking to the corner and back for the first few days.

After you're home....don't stock up!  You will find as time passes, your taste buds will change...what you like one day may not be as tasty the next and vice versa.  At your pre-op, ask the doctor what his/her food plan is....most of us went thru 4 phases of introduction of foods...liquids first to pureed food to semi-soft to regular.  Regardless of what type of surgery you have...you won't feel much of a need to eat...but you still must get something down.  Concentrate on protein, get all the water in that you can and don't forget your vitamins!

I wish you the best and don't forget to come back and tell us you're home!!!  Welcome to the journey of your life ;-)
Nancy aka Sunray
OH Support Group Leader

Shantele,

Nancy gave you some great advice as far as what to bring to the hospital and to have at home afterwards.  Just to add on to what she said, I had sugar free popsicles, pudding, jello, some creamed soups, cream of wheat, and broth.  Later on down the line, a "magic bullet" works great for pureed foods. 

I bought and continue to buy all my vitamins at Costco and WalMart both for price and convenience.  My labs are spot on perfect.  So you don't have to spend a fortune on mail away vitamins if you can take the others.

Hope that helps.

Hugs and lots of contgrats!

Barb

thanks all for the suggestions, since my date has been moved I will be waiting another week or so and will keep all these suggestions in mind.