Need some Post-Op Help Please

I went to my pre-op today and now all there is to do is my pre-op stuff and then surgery.  I want to go out and get all of my foods and protein stuff this week but I still am not sure what all I need.  I've tried to read through the posts, but I am guessing/hoping that there is a place here or recommendations from you all that can help me figure out what all I need to get. First off, I hate shakes, weird but I have never liked them or flavored milks so the protein shakes do not interest me at all.  I saw the fruit protein drinks at the WW store today and I will probably get some of them next Thursday (or have my daughter get them), but I was wondering what flavors are best.  Also, I have heard several of you mention supplements and other types of proteins that I could take.  I would really appreciate it if you could give me some pointers. I appreciate all of you and I am soooo excited about next week. Anxiously awaiting your responses!!! Kim

If you're talking about what you eat post-op; Jess will walk you through it with hand outs and you'll attend a class. I wouldn't buy anything for post-op at this point. No need since you're on liquids for 2 weeks following surgery. You can get the drinks you're wanting as you get close to your date. Don't go on recommendations alone from us; WW is very particular about what do and they want you to follow their plan closely. I hope this helps. Sounds like you're very eager to get started and I don't blame you. Just wait and talk to Jess is my best recommendation. Good luck!! Cindy

No.  I have the pre-op part covered.  What I am unsure of is what I can drink the first two weeks after surgery.  I know the basics, but what I do not know is the protein things that everyone talks about and good suggestions for staying on the liquids. Thanks, Kim

Kim....take it from me....  what you think you may want after the surgery will change.  Your tastes will change.  How you smell things and interpret will change.  i wouldn't buy anything more than water.  Water is safe, jello is safe.  Other than that you'll know what I mean when someone opens a package of broth after you get outta the hospital.   Just an opinion... T.

Ok, sorry for the confusion. Jess should give you handouts at the diet class that lists everything you can have during that 2 weeks. I bought a few of the protein shakes, but like Thomas said, your tastes change daily. One day the Slim-fast version was too thick. Then I liked the EAS that I hated during the pre-op diet. Jello, crystal light in many flavors and sf popsicles were what I lived on. Couldn't stand (and still can't) any broth or anything like it at all. Still turns my stomach to think about it. Hope that helps a little more. Good luck! It will be here before you know it. Cindy

I am one of the newest post ops -- for me, broth seems to be the best going down. I am trying to see today if I can locate the Herb Ox brand they give you in the hospital as it is so low in sodium. I still have some EAS shakes and I bought some Wild Berry flavored protein drink mix at WW but so far I have not needed anything protein wise. Otherwise i have been sticking to room temp propel and crystal light -- I have never been a plain water drinker.

Chicken and beef broth watered down more to lessen the salt. You can have certain flavors of EAS and SlimFast, but I didn't use those very often as Jess said to use those if I felt weak...they were too stinkin' sweet for me! I had a low tolerance for sweet. I drank a lot of flavored waters and Crystal Light/Good Value drinks along with hot  decaf tea. Popsicles and Jell-0 premade also worked..but I lived on mostly water myself. As far as protein. Dr. Walton didn't worry too much about protein the first 2 weeks as he said we have a reserve of that or something. I didn't start doing actual protein shakes until I got my bullet to blend stuff with. Vitamins you'll start after the first 2 weeks if I remember correctly..those were added in, in stages I think (been since October...already hazy!). I take GNB liquid vitamins that I get from Ragdoll Dude (Dave) on the other boards as the ones from the nutrition store are too sweet. Too bad too because I miss that double chocolate crisp bar.....OMG...so good. I also take powdered calcium called Upcal-D that I got from the Vita Lady store online, and my B vitamin is nasal because the sublingual didn't melt, and I don't do needles. Really like that nasal one. Only once a week, so I do it on Sundays since that's easy to remember..and I have Kleenex close because it looks like I have a nose bleed if I don't since the spray is red!

Sugar Free Popsicles in Tropical Flavor are saving my butt right now.  I have almost gone through the entire box.   Also, Jess said I could have Swiss Miss Diet Hot Chocolate once a day.  It is my morning reward after I drink 16 oz of plain water. There was some debate as to whether or not it had caffeine and I just found on the box where it says it is 99.9% caffeine free. 

Kim, Here is a post I made to a question asked about clear liquids. The post was made July 3rd by Okie Chic if you want to go back and read it. Hope it helps, Rita

Post Date: 7/3/08 2:12 pm

Hey Sherry, Here at weight wise when you are on the first two weeks full liquids, we don't worry about your nutrition. We want you to concentrate on your hydration.  We ask that you not worry about consuming a lot of protein unless you feel light headed, hungry, etc, etc. Also we ask that you not add or eat spicy foods. Basically, if it's not on the list, don't consume it. The reason for this is so that you wont eat something to disrupt your staple line or interupt the healing of you new tummy. There will be plenty of time later on to add spice and flavor. Here is a list of what you can have your first two weeks.

Water, Decaffeinated coffee and herbal tea, Crystal light, propel, Fruit2o, Flavor Splash-Aquafina,Dasani flavored water, diet v8 splash, Sugar free flavored water, gelatin, popsicles,kool aid, low sodium broths, splenda, sweet and low, and equal.

Protein Supplements: Bariatrix Ready to drink(Vanilla anytime), Bariatrix Cold Drinks(Grape and Wildberry Passion) New Century Cold Drinks(Chocolate, Pineapple-Orange, Strawberry-KIWI), Low carb slim fast,(creamy chocolate and Vanilla Creme),Atkins Advantage(Chocolate Delight, Cafe Au Lait, Creamy Vanilla, Vanilla Caramel Creme, Strawberry Supreme, Chocolate Royale), Carb solutions ready to drink(Creamy Vanilla, Rich Chocolate

If you feel hungry during the first two weeks, this may be mild dehydration. If you remain hungry after drinking liquids, sip on protein supplements(1-2oz portions every 4 hours only if you are feeling physical hunger.

Hope this helps, Rita

 

 

                

Don't stock up!  What works pre-op may not work post-op.  I perceived everything as really sweet after surgery.  I think that is a function of being in deep ketosis.  You will have plenty of time to get what you need durig your two weeks on liquids.  That being said I would recommend you have waiting at home after surgery these items:  sugar free popiscles (I preferred the Blue Bunny ones), different flavors of crystal light or Wal Mart store brand, Herb Ox broth mixes (like boullion only in a packet), Propel waters, and decaf cofee and teas. I did need protein during that period and found that the EAS lite went down better than others.