WHAT DO I REALLY NEED?

I AM CONFUSED, YA'LL PLEASE HELP THIS GURL..

WHAT DO I REALLY NEED TO TAKE TO THE HOSPITAL?

DO I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DRINKING PROTEIN DRINKS AND ALL THE SUPPLEMENTS/VITAMINS THE FIRST FEW DAYS I AM HOME? 

WHAT HANDY ITEMS/FOODS DO I NEED AT HOME WEEK ONE?

WHAT IS A GOOD HIGH/PROTEIN DRINK ANYWAY?

THANK YA-TASHA 

Tasha,

Where are you having your surgery at? Have you had a pre-op nutritional class yet? St. Vincent has them...not sure about the other facilities. St. V's patients are instructed to start off by drinking a mix of powder milk, skim milk & flavoring (ie sf jello mix or CIB). I would really recommend your starting off trying to drink this. As you get further out, then experiment with other protein drinks that are out there. I know some like Isopure..which I think sucks. I drink AchievOne (www.bariatric.com) but it has a little bit of caffiene in it so not good for a newbie (caffiene can cause ulcers). Most bariatric floors will start you off on a protein drink before oyu even leave the hospital...so yes, you do need it from the first day you are home. Whatever mix/drink you decide on, BUY SMALL. Don't even bother taste-testing it pre-op! Our taste buds change so much that what you thought was yummy pre-op may be gross afterward...and visa-versa. They can change from day to day as well...so again, BUY SMALL. And yes, you must have your vitamins from day 1 as well.

For the first few weeks post-op (4-6 weeks usually), you will be on what they call 'full liquids'. Instant mashed potatoes, creamed soup, refried beans, string cheese, sf pudding. Ummm..that's about it. I had also picked up 1 oz cups & lids at a place like Gordon Foods.

At the hospital...
Brush/comb, body wash (if you have a preference), toothpaste/brush, chap stick

If you want slippers & robe, that's fine or you can use their socks and a 2nd gown to walk around in. Myself, I also brought a puzzle book, magazines, and a novel. I skimmed through the magazines and worked a few puzzles.

If you have sleep apnea, many places also want you to bring your c-pap with you.

I think that's about it....

Sherri

SWEET SHERRI- I HAVE HAD MY NUTRITION CLASS...DO I SOUND LIKE I DONT KNOW MUCH...LOL!
ITS JUST THAT SOME FOLKS SAY THAT THE MILK MAKES THEM SICK IN THE ST V'S SHAKES OR THAT THEY JUST WERE NASTY TO THEM......HO HUM, GUESS I BETTER TRY FOR MYELF HUH?

THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION... I WILL COPY IT DOWN!....TOODLES!
TASHA...

Just make sure you have a gallon of milk on hand...because if you cant take the shakes.. ( I couldn't) then you make sure you do the string cheese and milk.. If your not lactose intollerant... some become that way... I didnt.. I just get sick on icecream... THANK GOD!! 75 grams of protien a day is hard to do at first starting out just make sure you sip sip sip...keep the liquids going down.

Melissa my DIL mixed sugar free choc pudding in her ST V recipe and was able to get it all down great. I agree with Sherri dont buy bul****il you have had surgery and decide you like it...

Continued success!!

Linda Kay

Tasha,

Everyone's taste buds are SO different....and just because something works good today, doesn't mean it will next week, tomorrow...or even tonight. And that's with our own taste buds! When you compare from one person to the next, you are going to find an even bigger gap. Milk worked great for Linda Kay...I could not handle ANY milk at all from ~1 month post-op to ~6 months post-op. During that time, the nuts recommended I try Isopure. Some people swear BY it...I swore AT it! Really, the absolute best thing you can do for you is to start off trying to drink the concoction that the nuts recommended. If it doesn't work for you, try skim milk (Nestles does have sf chocolate you can add to it). If that doesn't, then experiment some more. Now with the 'concoction', I was fine (for awhile) adding sf lime or lemon jello mix to it for flavoring. Any other flavor was way too sweet. I could not handle the Carnation Instant Breakfast in it at all..no matter what flavor! If you do something that needs mixed up (not RTD...ready to drink), you can do it in your blender..but if you do, be sure it settles for at least 1/2 hour before you drink it so the air bubbles can settle out. You don't want that air in your new pouch.

Sherri

Hi WGRIFFIN! Welcome to OH and good luck on your surgery! You don't need to take alot to the hospital. Just something to wear home that is comfortable and of course the ususal tooth brush, toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo. You will be taking a shower before they let you come home if you are going to St. Vincents in Carmel.
 As Linda and SHerri said don't stock up on things because just because you like it now doesn't mean you will after surgery! I loved crystal light before surgery and now I can't tolerate it. Get some string cheese and cottage cheese for your protein. It is important to get your protein in and sip sip sip & walk walk walk! You will do fine! Keep usinformed on how things go! Michelle

THANK YOU MICHELLE....!

If you still have your monthly friend you may want to take feminine products to the hospital..

I hadn't had one on my own in over 3 years and got one the day I was released (was held an extra day so 3 days out). Something to think about.

Howdy and welcome to the board...hope you have an awesome road trip with no detours!

As far as hospital....I wore something comfy so would be comfy on the way home..I also took a pillow for the ride home. And as Misty said...feminine products if you still have that happening.

When home...food wise...I lived on fat-free refried beans....lol Well that and cottage cheese...instant oatmeal and instant mashed potatoes...and some cheese.

Good luck!  Will  have a seat all ready for ya on the loser's bench!

Janene

THATKS ALL FOR THE INFORMATION.... I WILL USE IT ALL!!!