Post-Op Ideas

Good morning everyone! My surgery is set for February 17th......a week from today! So excited yet so nervous, lol. I only have to do the pre-op diet the day before surgery.

I'm looking for ideas from everyone for post-op. What types of liquids, foods etc did you all eat/drink during the first 4 to 6 weeks? Brands....Flavors.......

Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Tanya!
Your big day is almost here!  Yipee!  You'll do fine.   Everyone is nervous and excited.  You've made a huge decision and hopefully the right one for you.  I had to do a 2 week liquid pre-op and post-op diet.  It was tough so at least you don't have that to go thru.    I don't know how much education you got about your band but it is very important that you do what your surgeon tells you as far as what to eat and when.  You can do serious harm to your band if you don't.

My liquids consisted of 4 protein shakes a day.  I got mine at GNC.  It was called Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60.  It was delicious.  Chocolate especially.  No aftertaste and not gritty.
Along with that I sipped broths, crystal ligh****er, popsicles and, herbal teas, that's it I think.  Did that for 2 weeks after and then on to purees for a week.  I just put my meats or any protein into my food processor with a little moisture such as lite mayo or salsa.  I had things like tuna salad, egg salad, ham salad, dark meat chicken.  Veggies I just cooked till very soft and mashed them.
From there it was onto soft foods and then regular.

I have had no fills yet.  Didn't need my 1st one at 6 weeks post-op cause I was doing really well and not hungry at all.  I am just starting to get hungry but not all the time.  I hope you're as fortunate.  So many folks are starving right away.

Any further questions just ask.

I wish you the best and let us know how you're doing, ok?
Lyn

Hi Lyn! Thanks SO MUCH for responding to my post. It's always nice to hear what others are going through good or bad and the foods/drinks that they have used. There are a couple items I'm going to order from GNC so I will check out the Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60.

I have done a lot of research on my own and my Dr. and his staff have been great. My Dr. actually has a mandatory education class that he offers to his patients. I just took the class last week and it was very helpful. They also gave me some goodies to try. You can check the photo out on my profile :)

All the ideas that you have given are great. One of the items the office mentioned was crystal light poweder you mix with water which I use anyway and crystal light popsicles. So  I will for sure get those items.

That is great you didn't need a fill at 6 weeks. Sounds like its working great for you. I honestly can't wait.

I will keep you all informed how the big day goes :)

My surgeon gave us a list of exactly what things we could eat (drink) the first 2 weeks. Not even cream soups were allowed, so I did broth, Crystal light, s.f. popsicles, protein shakes, but my favorite was Unjury ccreamy chicken soup. That was allowed and made me feel more satisfied because I was starving from day 2. I also had some protein cappuchino my surgeons office sold but I have seen online, too. That was a real treat. Of course herbal teas, etc. were good. I found that I could have a hot drink made from Chrystal light that seemed better when I was chilled.

After the first two weeks we went back for a two week check up and were advanced to things like protein oatmeal, cream soups (nothing with chunks) fat free refried beans, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, yogurt, etc. At about 4 weeks we could add cheese, eggs, (I still have to do Egg Beaters, not eggs, mashed or soft veggies, etc. At six weeks we were advanced to dense protein like protein bars, meat, etc. My very first attempt at dense protein was steak. I did very well, because the next day was to be my first fill and I was craving steak. My surgeon was astonished I had been able to do it, but wasn't upset.

The thing that is important to remember is that you follow YOUR surgeons directions exactly. There is wide variation from surgeon to surgeon but the only one that manners is yours. If yours only allows protein shakes for 6 months you need to do exactly that. Someone else might have 2 days of liquids then on to soft for a week then regular food the next week but do not try it. I was exaggerating as I'm sure you figured out. Just follow your docs directions and you will be fine. I was hungry all the time, sick to death of it all, fighting low blood sugar, cranky, and all the rest. I nearly killed my hubby the day we were out and he went through Wendy's for food while I had a crappy shake and was starved. The point is that you can take it, most of us have been there and it is totally worth it. Don't expect weight loss at first, it will happen sooner or later. Just enjoy the ride. Get all your fluids in, ***** and moan all you want, add a bit more walking every day, and you will be great. You should probably stock up on easy to fix meals for the family. Just don't buy them anything that will drive you wild. Don't get anything you have to stand in the kitchen to prepare. Two weeks of processed food will not kill them but might save your sanity.

Good luck, and we will see you on the losers bench pretty soon. Congrats, Sue

Hi Sue! Thanks for replying. I did get a list from the Dr. the other day and  plan on going home tonight and reading the entire book that they out together for me as far as some ideas on what to eat. My Dr will have me on a 4 week high protien liquid diet then moving on to the soft foods etc. I totally plan on following my surgeons directions. I don't want anything to mess this up. I will also check out the Unjury creamy chicken soup.

Thank you so much for everything!!!!