Surgery Wednesday/Few Post Op questions

Hi everyone! My surgery is scheduled first thing Wednesday morning. I am nervous, but very excited! I just want to be past the surgery part and be home to start recuperating! I have a few questions. 1) What are some must haves for the next few weeks so I can send hubby out. ( I know I had read gas-x, and there was something I read to keep on hand for when you get STUCK later down the road. 2) What are the best protein shakes you like best? I am not big on these to begin with, but know I am going to have to have them. I love chocolate.

Any input would be appreciated. Keep me in your prayers! Kim

Hi Kim, Wishing you well on your surgery. If I had been thinking yes I would strongly advise you to get some Gas x. I would not take them untill your doctor says ok and he will probally tell you to crush them up. To tell you the truth from my view point the gas pains were the worse part of RNY surgery. After I got home I tried some chocolate Boost and it went down really well. I am now on 3oz of cream soups every hour. Some hours I pass up because just starting to take in liquids even at 1oz after your first leak test it can be tough but just go very slow and take tiny sips.                                                    Annie

Papaya Enzyme is what you can have on hand for things that get stuck later on.  You probably won't be eating anything that will get stuck for at least 6 weeks or so, so it's not necessarily a must get pre-op.   Walmart sells it in their vitamin aisle. I like just about any of the powder protein shakes.  The premixed ones I thought were nasty.  Each of us is different in that regard.  Later on, I liked the Muscle Milk puddings, they were very filling.  Also, when you are allowed soft foods again, Kroger has a yogurt called "Carb Master".  It's got 12 grams of protein, 2-ish grams of sugar, and 1.5 grams of fat.  The best yogurt I've ever seen number-wise, and doesn't taste too bad either. Take care and good luck with your surgery. Ellen

Good Luck on your surgery! Myrtis

Kim -

Ellen is very thorough and I think she covered it all. The only other thing I can think of is Crystal light. It helps when you are tired of water. As I got a little farther out. I had the chicken broth from wonton soup ... the ginger, garlic, etc tasted great and were a wonderful break from all the sweet stuff. I also had the broth from french onion soup ... mmmm, good! When you can tolerate soft foods, you might want to have cottage cheese or ricotta, lemon, splenda and cinnamon or vanilla ... tastes like a sweet treat. Also have done cottage cheese or ricotta w/pesto, healthy choice pasta sauce, and a touch of parmesean for something savory.

Kim, I am a bander, and I found that I needed a sport drink bottle to take with you when you go out, chicken broth, but I found chicken noodle soup drained is more filling and better tasting.  Yes, get some type of drink no cal drink flavoring, water gets boring real fast.  My Godsend if sugar free popsicles.  I have trouble wanting to drink but they make you feel like you're actually chewing.  I used liquid tylenol once or twice because I didn't want to be on pain pills. Bandaids, regular size, ouchless would have been great but I didn't know this, lol. You wont need a whole lot of these but I never have them stocked.  That's all I can think of, I went to gnc and they have bottles of protein water called Isopure for $4 a bottle, a good change now and then from the shakes.  Best of luck to you and if you need anything, just holler. Nancy

Hey Kim!  First let me say congratulations on your upcoming surgery!  This is an exciting first step to change the rest of your life.  I am also not a fan of the protien shake.  But I do have a FIND that I would like to share.  There is a new organic protien call Jay Robbs Ultimate Protien.  I get it at Vitamin Shoppe.  It comes in Chocolate, Strawberry and Vinalla.  If you take the chocolate and mix with skim milk and ice I swear it tastes like a Wendy's Frosty.  Love it!!!   If you email me an adress offline I am happy to send you some samples.  Nonetheless, good luck on Wednesday and we will be praying for you! Candice