Need help for immediate Post--Op

The journey that seemed to be taking FOREVER is now almost here!  I have my insurance approval (YEAH!) AND a surgery date of 12/4.  My pre-op with the surgeon is 11/26.  I have done nothing yet for preparation post-op in case my insurance wasn't approved.  Well, now it is and I would like advice PLEASE/

I am trying to figure out what to do for post-op protein supplements and meal replacements.  I do NOT like artificial sweeteners and try and do as much natural food as I can so this is getting increasing hard.  It amazes me that the NUTS want to push frankenfoods instead of real food.  Literally my post-op in hospital diet includes margarine.  Why not butter, they're very close in caloris/fat ratio and margarine is now proven to be very bad for you.  I also am not a fan of sweet protein drinks.  I make my own smoothies now in the vitamix, but was told no fruits or veg right after surgery.  Any advice?  Any powders that are not totally frankenfoods? Anything that tastes remotely good?  Once I get to my 3 week out soft foods I will be great - I can manage a lot with real food there that will taste good (or at least I HOPE it will still taste good!!)

Also, anyone NOT lose weight with the DS?  I have had the hardest time ever losing weight - I did the HCG diet and started gaining weight on day 7, did Atkins at Induction phase for 6 months and lost about 6 pounds.  I am terrified that I will go through all of this and NOT be able to lose weight.

THANKS IN ADVANCE! Would love any advice :)

Paula

Congrats on your upcoming surgery! It sounds like you have a crappy metabolism and will benefit from the metabolic changes the DS will give you.

As far as the margarine is concerned, my guess is that the hospital serves it because it's cheaper than butter.  can't imagine what use you will have for it as an immediate post-op anyway, so just leave it on the tray. Once you start eating real food at home, you can eat all the butter you want.

Protein drinks - I don't know any that seem "natural", sorry to say. I used the pre-mixed Adkins shakes, and Trader Joes also has some that are 35 gms of protein and not bad tasting (not great either, but not bad is about the best you can ask for). The ones from Trader's are called "pure protein" and I think you can also find them on Amazon.

Larra

Sounds like you are a superabsorber.  If you want your DS to work lose as much as possible as fast as possible.  Do liquids like shakes as much as possible and I agree they are awful.  But it's not forever!

Immediately postop try stuff like watered down gatorade.  You need the electrolytes.  Just drink, hydration is the only thing you need to worry about.

I am very sensitive to artificial sweeteners so try to go as much natural as possible. Jay Robb has good protein drinks that are very natural. I

use a protein powder called Organic Warrior Whey by Defense Nutrition. It is not an Isolate but it is an all natural powder with no sweeteners,  high in protein,

it can be mixed in anything and is non -denatured which I think helps with absorption. I don't have a lot of issues with protein levels now

that I am drinking this protein powder.

You might try Optimum Nutrition gold standard 100% whey. I has sucralose but it is the second last ingredient so not a lot. I saw on a facebook post that the milk they use is tested for GMO's and antibiotics before it can be used to make the whey isolate.

I think the days of having that hard a time losing weight will be behind you.

Congrats! Have an uneventful surgery...

Order a sample package of Syntrax Nectars and all the other flavors from Vitalady for your protein supplements.  That's the cheapest way to get a taste of all the different brands.  She even has afew custom flavors she mixes herself.  I don't recommend buying a big 2# tub of anything until you taste it.  GNC and CVS don't have samples.  BJ Bariatrics has a sample package of Syntrax.  Those are really sweet, the Nectars.  If you just want unflavored, Syntrax Medical is great. 

Alot of us DSers are lactose intolerant immediately post-op.  ALOT, but not all.  If you are, like I was, you'll get diarrhea.  Then you'll want only the whey ISOLATE form of protein shakes/supplements.  No whey concentrate.  So it's wise pre-op to only purchase the isolate form, in my opinion. 

The reason you don't want to buy alot of one flavor is that often they taste good pre-op, but will gag you post-op, when your taste buds are really unpredictable.  And what tastes good one day is nauseating the next day.