GRRRRRRRRRR and a few questions.

Ok, I am getting a cold 11 days before surgey. Good news, I have a docs appt this afternoon to head it off. It's great I told them I was having surgery on the 15th and I was in today no questions asked.  Here are the questions. I have my list from Liz for food. What the heck is cream of tomato soup. I have never heard of it and I couldn't find it.  Also, any advice on calcium supplements? I had a hard time finding chewable cal citrate.

Bariatricadvantage.com - That's what my surgeon uses for his patients for all our vitamin supplements.  They have different flavors and personally I'm starting to despise the mint... I think its hte chocolate one that I liked when I tasted them out but they were all out of those when I was ready to buy them. As for Cream of Tomato... just go to the canned soup aisle in your local grocery store... near the chicken noodle soup cans you'll find cream of tomato soup... its not white or creamy, its just called that but its condensed tomato soup...  I prefer Campbells.     You shoudl be able to find them in any store that carries canned soups...  just asked a store associate and they'll help you but they are quite common and my kids love those with cheese sandwiches, since I can't have bread I make the soup like I am suppose to (1 can cream of soup and 1 can water)  then when its nice and pipping hot I add a little cheddar cheese or american cheese to it, let the cheese melt and sip! Hope this helped!

Amy's Organic low fat cream of tomato soup.  Excellent.  Found at Whole Foods and any Stop & shop that has a natural food section.

You can also add milk instead of water to Campbell's regular tomato soup to make a version of cream of tomato.  Brings back memories having it as a child... 

When I was post op and on liquids, I made Campbell's low fat tomato with Lactaid milk.  It is a nice change from all the sweet shakes and the Lactaid adds protein without risking the lactose intolerance that can arise post op.

Kathy, to decrease the intensity and duration of your cold, I highly recommend ZIcam nasal gel (although they sell it in other forms as well).  It is basically zinc, which gives a big boost to your immune system and will help you kick that cold in no time at all.  I know, I know, I was skeptical at first but after using it for the past year or so every time I've felt a cold coming on, I'm a firm believer.  (You can get it in any drug store.)  Best of luck to you!  Laurie

Also another one to add to the mix is Airborne. Take it every 3  hrs.

I got a zpack and cough syrup w/codine, I am also getting off at midnight so I get enough rest. I am actually feeling better.

Given how high the Campbell's creamy tomato soup is in sugar (over 20 grams) and very low in protein (only 4 grams), I would double-check if that's the liquid of choice.  For me, I used lots of broth (no carbs and some protein). Regarding Calcium Citrate, a few people in my support group are having trouble finding calcium citrate--- you might want to check out a Tommy K's (if one is near you) or go to one of the bariatric food websites (like Susan Maria's).

Yup Steve, it's cream of tomato soup. I'm going to call and check on it but that's what the list says.