Pre-op Shopping list

I've spent a lot of time searching through and reading older posts on here to get ready for my up-coming RNY (July 15th!!!!).  I've  gotten some great information, and taken lots of notes - thanks! 

I want to make sure I have everything I need for the first couple of weeks post-op and even beyond (I'm a teacher and will be heading back to school about 4 weeks post-op).  I've gotten some info from my pre-op class, but not a comprehensive list.

So, does anyone  have advice for a complete pre-op shopping/preparation list?  

Things I'm thinking about:
complete multi-vitamin
calcium
b-12
protein powder (sample sizes, plus big tub of ..........something! What's the best to start with?))
milk
powdered milk
sugar-free syrups
blender ball shaker
magic bullet
small spoon
smaller plates
food/intake diary forms


What am I forgetting....?

Congrats on your upcoming date!

First of all, do NOT buy a bigt tub of protein powder!  What you like now may make you sick after surgery.  Our tastes change drastically, and what tastes good now, won't taste good later.  Trust me on this!  Your best bet is to get various samples.  Then you can find one you like and can tolerate, and buy more of that.

It took me 6 months to find a protein drink I actually liked well enough to drink daily!  LOL

I don't see Biotin on your list - you will want that to help prevent (along with getting in your protein) hair loss.  Start taking it now.  I began with it early, and I have had no hair loss.

I also went to GFS and bought the little 1 oz condiment cups with lids - they come like 100 in a sleeve.  Since we can only have 1 oz portions to start, it helped me to fill those up for my meals for the week.

Stock up on cream soups, unsweetened applesauce, and stage 1 baby foods.

I bought some really cute appetizer plates and sauce dishes at Target.  They're really small, and were perfect for the first month or so.  Now I use salad plates.

One thing that helped me was going to YouTube.  There is a video there by an OH member, Amelia,  that helped me tremendously with what to have on hand...

Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTCk_3njsZ8

Get some small spoons - I got the toddler take-n-toss - they're about the right size, plastic, and not expensive.

Get some small Glad ware containers for the leftovers you're going to have - lol.

This is great information - thank you so much Christie!!  Now, I have a few questions for you:

I've heard that tastes change, so doing all sample packs makes sense - how long are we talking about though?  Like a 3 week supply of samples?  Is that sample powders or pre-made shakes?  If I find something I like in week 2, will I be safe to buy a full tub then, or do tastes keep changing?

Is the Biotin a vitamin or is it the one in the Shampoo?  Where can I buy that?  I saw the shampoo one on BJ's website, but haven't seen it in vitamin form.

I'll be going to GFS and Target this week - those are great ideas!!  Thank you so much!!  I'm on my way now to check out YouTube (I NEVER would have thought to search there!!).

Tastes do change, and frequently!  Something you can tolerate early on, you may hate by week 4!  LOL 

A 3 week supply of samples would surely do it though.  You can mix it up between powders and RTD (ready to drink) shakes.  When I was pre op, I went to the Vitamin Shoppe, as they sold single RTD protein in their refrigerator case.  I got several different types to try.

I've tried powders, the Nectar powder that mixes with water, bottled Isopure, the New Whey Protein bullets (the grape mixed with diet cran-grape juice is really good!!), Oh Yeah! (from bariatriceating.com), and AchieveOne.    Just be aware that your tastes will change and evolve as you go through this journey.

Biotin is a B vitamin.  You can get it at WalMart, Meijer, etc.  It's fairly cheap.  The shampoo is expensive - my hairdresser said I didn't need that unless I started losing my hair.  I'm 7 months out this week and have not lost any hair.  I take a Biotin tablet daily.

Good luck!  Amelia has a whole series of videos on YouTube that chronicle her journey.  When I was pre op, I found her videos helped me so very much.

Check in here often.  You'll find a wealth of information!

I would highly agree the small cups from GFS are fantastic!! I got both 1 and 2 oz ones. Fantastic recommendation. 

The biotin is normally in a capsule form, and i got mine at Walmart.  Now if I could just find the time to take it! I've also heard that if you get all your protein in, that will aid with reduction of hair loss.

The baby food suggestion is also good. Get just 1 or 2 of each flavor to see what you'll like.  The jar will last you through a few meals so its always a good choice.

I haven't found a shake that I like yet. Its only been a week though.  I bought a container of chocolate and container of vanilla and a container of plain vegan protein powders.  I've only tried the vanilla so far, and I really dont like it at all. I bought a strawberry sample which was good, but had artificial sweetener in it, and that gave me a headache. I think the chocolate has stevia in it which will probably give me a headache too - lol. I've only tried the powders. 

From what i've heard, your tastes change quite a bit for a while after surgery. One day you can eat something and be fine, and the next day you eat it and it makes you sick.  Isn't that great?  So, I guess just keep buying samples? Im not really sure.

I've been out a week and feel ok going to the store for a short time. So you could buy just a few samples, and if you find something you like, have someone take you to the store after surgery. 

I've found that chicken broth has been my friend. Stock up on sippy cups. I got everything organized in my cabinets and threw away all the food I wouldnt be able to have....it was a very cleansing experience.  I got all my vitamins set up in one of those "pills by the day" container things (you know, like older people have...)

Oh - one last thing.  Clean out one shelf of your fridge and make it yours alone.  Let everyone else in the house know that things on that shelf are off limits.

I also emptied out one cabinet in the kitchen and kept my little dishes, spoons, containers, etc there.  Everyone knows that's Mom's cabinet!

I use a small six pack cooler alot and those non melt ice cube things. We are on the go alot. I just put things like water, slim fast etc in my cooler. It is quick and simple. Wendy

Thanks Christie, Jamie and Wendy - this is all great information!  I love the suggestion of designating one shelf in the 'fridge as  MINE!!  I can already tell we're going to have issues with the SF Jello!!  And I've been worried about what to do when we're on the go - the mini-cooler is a great idea.

I got the one sippy cup at the pre-op class, but never thought of getting a couple more - great suggestion.   So much to think about!

I used an ice cube tray quite a bit early on.  As I opened or prepared foods I would put the leftovers in ice cube trays and feeze it. One "cube" measures just about a perfect ounce.  Once it freezes pop it out of the tray and place it in a labeled baggie.  This would be a great time to have a shlef of your own in the freezer also as the baggies have a way of becoming buried under all the "family" foods. 

FYI ... refried beans freeze just fine.
Jeannie

I couldn't have done it without my ice shaver.   Protein drinks were more palitable over the ice and I could fill my sippy cup with the ice and have a supply of cold water as it melted.  Sometimes I just eat the ice alone or make a crystal lite "syrup" (1/2 recommended amt of water) and pour over shaved ice for a slush.