Getting worried

Hi ya'll!!  

Well, my surgery is coming up real soon and I am now beginning to worry about a few things.

The first thing on my mind is this:   I'm going to go to the store tomorrow and get myself some chewable complete vitamins (no sugar).  I am just not sure on if I should buy or be taking any type of calcium now.  And, do I have calcium at home ready to take when I get home from surgery?  I've never bought calcuim so I don't even know what to get.   Alls I know is I need to get the complete vitamins (chewable and no sugar).

Do I buy calcium tomorrow while we are out or do I wait till after surgery and they tell me what to get?   I just want to make sure I have the right things I need.

Any help on that would be GREAT!!!   (I am only taking a complete multi vitamin now)

 

Then, here's another issue:   Do any of you take any Probiotics?   At the nutrtition class she mentioned it, but she went so fast, I don't recal her saying what kind to get.  We went to Walmart and I found some there (Spring Valley Intestinal Health 30 Capsules) for like $12.  But, there are several Spring Valley ones there that say Acidophilus and I'm not sure which ones to get!!    I hear they are good to take because they help with our constipation and that issue.  I also hear they help with weight loss.    Any help or ideas on that??? (Pam T ~ I know you do, I have a question:  in your write up of it you say you buy the one that has 60 tablets for $12 but then the pic you show with your write up shows 30 capsules???)

 

Then, my last concern is:   I'm not affraid of the actual surgery, but I am affraid/nervous I wont eat/drink right.   I'm a slow learner and I've read things, but the more I read the more I get confussed.  It can't be that hard, can it?   I've read where milk isn't a good idea to use in our protein drinks (I got some samples from vitalady and they sent me some info and that is where I read about not using milk to make our protein drinks).   But, that is the only thing I've been putting in my protien drinks.  What do you all use to mix up your protein drinks?  I thought it was good to use milk ~ added protein.  (The info I got says milk has sugar ????)

 

So, for the first week home, I am to be on full liquids.  I am assuming that means my protein drinks, chicken broth, sf popsicles and sf puddings and jellos.    

Right now I use a whole cup of skim milk to make my protein drink and I drink it pretty quick.  Now, after surgery for this first week, should I make half that due to it might take me longer to drink it down?

 

I am just confussed on how all the drinking and eating should take place after surgery.  I have read so much and have tons of protein drink ideas, though.

 

Thank you all for any help or advice here. 

My time is winding down and I want to make sure I do this right as to lose this weight and be healthier!!

 

God Bless,

I'm sure Pam will reply, but I'll give you my opinion.
When you buy calcium, make sure it's calcium citrate because we can process and absorb that kind.  I used Centrum Silver chewable vitamins, because I'm over 50.  You need to start taking the calcium right away, so I'd have some on hand.  Sometimes you can find chewable calcium citrate, but I could only find that at the hospital pharmacy or on-line.  I dealt with crushing the regular calcium pills until I could cut them in half and then finally take them whole.  If you mix them with applesauce it's tolerable.
I bought probiotics, but not until after my 3 month checkup, and since then haven't needed to take them.  Rather than being constipated, I'm the opposite these days.  Either the ones that say probiotic or Acidophilus are fine and do the same thing for you.
You may not be able to tolerate the skim milk.  I had no problem with it from day one.  You'll just have to see, or you could try Silk (soy milk)  it's actually pretty good.  you can mix your protein with water and add ice cubes to make it thicker.  I also add protein to my coffee (put the protein in the mug, add a couple of tablespoons of water to it and mix it until it's syrupy, then add the hot coffee and it won't curdle and will mix nicely) 
You're right on the full liquids thing, and you won't be able to drink it down quickly.  You'll only be taking sips.  You could make a full serving of the drink and keep it in the fridge and take a sip every 10 minutes or so.  You'll be amazed at how little you can ingest right out of surgery.
Take care Tari.  Don't be nervous.  You'll survive the liquid diet just fine.
Jan

Yep,  you're right... I came along and wrote a big old fat book of a response.  Not sure what my problem is lately, but my posts seem to be long and rambling.  I think it's a virus or something.  I wonder if they make a pill for that.  LOL

Anyway, my response can be found over on the RNY forum if you're interested in seeing it. 

go to www.celebratevitamins.com you'll be able to get everything chewable there all your multivits, calcium, iron, b12. And I also put unflavored protein in my coffee daily and thats 25 grams right off the bat, then I do a twenty gram protein bar, 12 gram protein yogurt...Get CaarbMaster yogurt its a Kroger brand it has 3 grams sugar and 12 grams protein! Then my protein shakes have 15-25 grams protein and the rest I get from food. But during the beginning our Nut. said to use dry powdered milk to add protein to your yogurts, puddings and such so i did that too. I too handled skim milk fine right from the beginning, everyones different but you'll have to try it out and see, some days it can make me a little gassy but otherwise im fine. Ive never taken any probiotics. If I had problems w/ my bowels I used flavorless Benefiber 2-3 times per day and all was well. Good Luck!!

Ok, take a deeeeeeep breath.  It's all going to be ok.  It's confusing as hell at first, but just like anything else, you will soon get the hang of it.

If you are in the mood for buying things, go to the drug store and get a pill thingie.  I found one at CVS that has 4 slots for each day, so you can take things at different times.  If you read up on Pam's vitamin tips you will see that certain things can't be taken together.  For instance, calcium and iron.  So if your multi has iron in it, you want to wait a while after you take that to take the calcium.

I found chewable calcium at Vitamin Shoppe.  They are big wafers, and I didn't like them.  I just had a revision, and my surgeon told me to hold off on my calcium for the first two weeks, until I got my routine going again.  Your surgeon will tell you what to do.  Personally, I take the Citrical petites.  They are easier to swallow, but obviously don't have as much calcium as the big pills so I have to take them throughout the day.

Again, just my experience, but my doc told me to do only water-based stuff for the first week.  That means no pudding or no milk in the shakes.  I used Almond Breeze unsweetened vanilla flavored, but you can use Soy.  I think this is just to give your new pouchie poo a rest because sometimes dairy can be rough.  When you are buying soy or almond milk, look for it with no added sugar.  This means you will have to look at the ingredients list to see if it lists sugar or any of the other names for sugar.  Speaking of that....all dairy is going to list some sugar content, because of the naturally occurring sugars.  These don't pose a problem for me, and you will soon know how much you can tolerate.  The key words for after surgery are NO ADDED SUGAR or SUGAR FREE.  

I do take probiotics, just because I figured it couldn't hurt.  I didn't have any bowel issues.  Your NUT is the best person to give you all of the recommendations for your vitamins.  They should give you a list of what you need to take every day.  If they don't, ask for one before you leave the hospital, or better yet, ask for one now so you have it.

Lastly, don't worry about what you need and don't need.  Unless you live in a really remote area, if you need something, you can always run out and get it.  I know everyone wants to be prepared, but honestly, if you are sick of cherry jello, you can always go to the store or have someone go for you and get lime.....you get my drift.  

It seems so overwhelming at first, but trust me, you will fall into it in no time. 

Ok I just can't let these go......"pill thingie" and "pouchie poo"  .  Yep I'm baaaaccckkkk!!!

OMG can you believe it's almost here!!!!

OK, I added milk to my protein shakes, but I've heard over the years that others have had problems, luckily I did not, so you may want to give it a try.  I had a packet (protein) that I bought from my weight loss Dr.  I added milk to that, did that make a diff on not having a prob.....dunno.

I'd fill up my house with sf Popsicles and sf jello.  I felt like water was enough for me at times, but then I was a wimp :).

As far as the probiotics, personally  I don't think I'd add them for a month or so, but that's me, I was a BIG baby!

GOOD LUCK!!!

Edie

THANK YOU ALL!!
I appreciate all your help and words.
I have taken them all in.

I'm getting nervous ~ surgery is Wednesday!! 
I got a call and I have to be at Barix at 7:30 AM!!
So, please, all, keep me in your prayers and thoughts.

Take care and God Bless,