What type of food should I have on hand after surgery?
Hi, Sheila.
I can't remember which type of WLS you're having. If it's the Sleeve, I know that you'll be on a multivitamin twice a day for the first 2 weeks (unless a different decision is made by your dietician, based on your bloodwork), and other things added after that. You can use Centrum Adult chewables, and the taste isn't too bad. Personally, I like the Celebrate Bariatric Vitamins, and my doctor and dietician approved them, and they even tasted them!
You can check out the vitamins and supplements at www.CelebrateVitamins.com. In the month of December, every order gives you a chance to win a year's worth of vitamins!
I take Celebrate Vitamins' chewable Multivitamin (Mandarin Orange), Calcium Plus (Hot Cocoa or Strawberry Creme), and Iron+C (tastes like a sweet tart; usually iron is pretty nasty, no matter where/what kind). I take one sublingual (under the tongue) B-12, once a week, but I get that from WalMart (over the counter).
Dr. Walton has me on Protonix for one month. After that, while he doesn't require that one stay on it, and it's expensive for me because I don't have insurance, I plan on trying something over-the-counter, because I've found it very helpful, in keeping my stomach from churning.
As far as what to have on hand, you may be on clear liquids for the first 2 weeks (whatever your doctor's plan is). Have lots of water, decaffeinated tea (for hot and/or cold), any sugar-free liquids (Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, etc.), sugar-free jello, sugar-free popsicles, and a few different kinds of protein shakes (mainly for when you feel a bit weak), soup broth (just the broth; homemade tastes better than canned). I liked the Isopure Grape drink, because it's high in protein and tasted good to me. The important thing is to have a bit of a lot of different liquids/products so you feel you have a choice, especially if what you used to like all of a sudden doesn't taste so good. Conversely, don't pass up buying something you don't like now, because you just might find you like it, after WLS. It's an adventure, for sure. :)
Good luck. I know you're going to do great.
Blessings,
Mary
I can't remember which type of WLS you're having. If it's the Sleeve, I know that you'll be on a multivitamin twice a day for the first 2 weeks (unless a different decision is made by your dietician, based on your bloodwork), and other things added after that. You can use Centrum Adult chewables, and the taste isn't too bad. Personally, I like the Celebrate Bariatric Vitamins, and my doctor and dietician approved them, and they even tasted them!
You can check out the vitamins and supplements at www.CelebrateVitamins.com. In the month of December, every order gives you a chance to win a year's worth of vitamins!
I take Celebrate Vitamins' chewable Multivitamin (Mandarin Orange), Calcium Plus (Hot Cocoa or Strawberry Creme), and Iron+C (tastes like a sweet tart; usually iron is pretty nasty, no matter where/what kind). I take one sublingual (under the tongue) B-12, once a week, but I get that from WalMart (over the counter).
Dr. Walton has me on Protonix for one month. After that, while he doesn't require that one stay on it, and it's expensive for me because I don't have insurance, I plan on trying something over-the-counter, because I've found it very helpful, in keeping my stomach from churning.
As far as what to have on hand, you may be on clear liquids for the first 2 weeks (whatever your doctor's plan is). Have lots of water, decaffeinated tea (for hot and/or cold), any sugar-free liquids (Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, etc.), sugar-free jello, sugar-free popsicles, and a few different kinds of protein shakes (mainly for when you feel a bit weak), soup broth (just the broth; homemade tastes better than canned). I liked the Isopure Grape drink, because it's high in protein and tasted good to me. The important thing is to have a bit of a lot of different liquids/products so you feel you have a choice, especially if what you used to like all of a sudden doesn't taste so good. Conversely, don't pass up buying something you don't like now, because you just might find you like it, after WLS. It's an adventure, for sure. :)
Good luck. I know you're going to do great.
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
Mary, I sent you a PM.
Sheila, can you believe you are having to stock up now??? It is amazing how fast this has gone for you. Do remember that most people say their taste buds change after the surgery and that things they liked they then didn't. It won't be like you can't go to the store to get things, so that is important too....Cricket says don't worry about protein the first phase after....just drink what you can tolerate...that is the main thing....You can fit the protein in later.
Many have different views of the protein drinks. I hope I like the one I am using now afterwards because I like it now and it is fairly cheap.
When I think about stocking up on later foods....I have to laugh because I will be consuming so much less than my mind is thinking!! I will be eating ice cube portions compared to bowls before! lol
Do you have a date yet Sheila? What do you have left to do?
Time is flying so what ever date they give you it will be upon you before you know it.
Sheila, can you believe you are having to stock up now??? It is amazing how fast this has gone for you. Do remember that most people say their taste buds change after the surgery and that things they liked they then didn't. It won't be like you can't go to the store to get things, so that is important too....Cricket says don't worry about protein the first phase after....just drink what you can tolerate...that is the main thing....You can fit the protein in later.
Many have different views of the protein drinks. I hope I like the one I am using now afterwards because I like it now and it is fairly cheap.
When I think about stocking up on later foods....I have to laugh because I will be consuming so much less than my mind is thinking!! I will be eating ice cube portions compared to bowls before! lol
Do you have a date yet Sheila? What do you have left to do?
Time is flying so what ever date they give you it will be upon you before you know it.
(deactivated member)
on 12/15/08 3:45 am - The beautiful, US Virgin Islands......, XX
on 12/15/08 3:45 am - The beautiful, US Virgin Islands......, XX
Sheila,
Get some Miso soup...seriously...kikkoman brand if possible..you will get protein from the tofu powder and the sodium helps retain water which helps recovery time.Don't be afraid of almond milk....good for you...LOW carb and if you add splenda to it, it tastes good.
Order your caribbean cooler flavored Nectar protein powder unless you like the gritty stuff the other people sell to you.... (you can mix it with water, or milk, or whatever you want AND you can add coconut fiber to it and it's still considered liquid.... (you can get all of that stuff from netrition.com or other places, just do a search) Don't be afraid to serve soup to your family that you've strained the solids out!!!
You can also add flax meal to those same soups to give you fiber (to help you go to the bathroom...because it's not gonna be fun for you for several days and stuff...) Ummm....I have a list of mushies that you should check into also because it's not that fr before you'll be doing those...at least order some flax-z-snax for your mushie hot cereal (tastes better than oatmeal with SUPER high fiber and LOW carbs....) I've got more suggestions if you want them....
T.
Is it all starting to feel "real" yet? You are soooo close!
As far as foods to have on hand....you don't really need "food", since you'll be on clear liquids for those first 2 weeks. Sugar-free popsicles and jello, broths, etc. is all you'll need. Too bad that you don't like the vitamins from WW. Personally, I don't mind the orange-flavored ones.
I stocked up on some things before my surgery, but honestly it wasn't necessary. After just a few days, I felt plenty well enough to make a grocery store run. I don't want to offend T at all, but I ordered the Nectar Caribbean Cooler protien powder & the Flax Snax cereals.....I really didn't like them at all. So, I wasted some money, but learned those things aren't for me. I appear to be in the minority though as it appears several others enjoy the stuff.
I'm keeping you in my thoughts and wish you the VERY BEST LUCK!!!
Teri
As far as foods to have on hand....you don't really need "food", since you'll be on clear liquids for those first 2 weeks. Sugar-free popsicles and jello, broths, etc. is all you'll need. Too bad that you don't like the vitamins from WW. Personally, I don't mind the orange-flavored ones.
I stocked up on some things before my surgery, but honestly it wasn't necessary. After just a few days, I felt plenty well enough to make a grocery store run. I don't want to offend T at all, but I ordered the Nectar Caribbean Cooler protien powder & the Flax Snax cereals.....I really didn't like them at all. So, I wasted some money, but learned those things aren't for me. I appear to be in the minority though as it appears several others enjoy the stuff.
I'm keeping you in my thoughts and wish you the VERY BEST LUCK!!!
Teri
I'm with you Teri...I don't like the flax crap (sorry T). I choose to get my protein etc from "real" food. I haven't had a protein shake since a right after surgery. I did make an effort to add back some veggies and some fruit. I was having trouble with constipation (TMI). Mirilax wasn't doing the trick and the Fleet suppositories aren't all that pleasant either. This is a lifetime thing and I don't want to be ordering "stuff" all the time. I've done quite well with just the basic stuff that you can buy at the grocery store! Good luck!! You're in for quite a treat....hip hip hurray for you Sheila...look out 2009!!
This is the ride of my life.....what an amazing tool I now have!!!
(deactivated member)
on 12/15/08 10:07 am
on 12/15/08 10:07 am
Miso soup, egg drop soup (you have to strain the egg drop out but it tastes good and you can freeze it ahead...when you are on liquids, you will really be able to taste the difference between broth and egg drop soup....LOL).
I would spend more time cooking ahead for the family which will be a bigger concern than feeding yourself. Even now, if I stock up too much or make too big of a batch for me it gets overwhelming and sometimes depressing.
I do vanilla or plain protien and add shots of my beloved sugar free syrups to get the flavor changes. I always keep a vast supply of herbal and decaf tea-it helps to get the liquid requirements in and warm goes down much easier than cold at first (or in my case, apparently forever).
When allowed, you can add powdered egg whites to soup to boost protien a bit and have something that is not sweet.
Sheila,
Sounds like everyone has given you good ideas, but thought I would tell you what helped me survive the 2 weeks of liquids. I bought tons of sugar free jello, and popsicles. When it came to jello, I bought every flavor, but my favorite which was any red jello, I now don't care for, my favorite is green or orange, so your taste can definately change. Also, after trying just about every brand of popsicles, my favorite ended up being a cheap off brand at Walmart, that was 24 popsicles for $1.98. Warm liquids definately went down easier, but after about day 5 found that popsicles where my best bet. Also, I bought tons of soups. Everyone suggests making your own and getting the broth, but I don't have time for that. I just made sure that any soup I bought had 2 grams of sugar of less per serving. Chicken noodle is awesome. ( I invested in a little strainer to strain my soups) I also, got to the point I was taking the spice packet out of ramen noodle soup and putting half on it in ho****er, to get a different flavor, oriental, yum, yum. Also, thought I would throw in here, that my favorite protein shake is AdvantEdge from Walmart. (chocolate fudge) I have to say I haven't tried any other protein shake, but I like this one, and am not wanting to dump some money just to try. I also purchased the grape Isopure from WW, and it's awful!!!! I have like 8 bottles that are going to go to waste. Well, that's my list of what worked for me, hope it helps.
Amber
Sounds like everyone has given you good ideas, but thought I would tell you what helped me survive the 2 weeks of liquids. I bought tons of sugar free jello, and popsicles. When it came to jello, I bought every flavor, but my favorite which was any red jello, I now don't care for, my favorite is green or orange, so your taste can definately change. Also, after trying just about every brand of popsicles, my favorite ended up being a cheap off brand at Walmart, that was 24 popsicles for $1.98. Warm liquids definately went down easier, but after about day 5 found that popsicles where my best bet. Also, I bought tons of soups. Everyone suggests making your own and getting the broth, but I don't have time for that. I just made sure that any soup I bought had 2 grams of sugar of less per serving. Chicken noodle is awesome. ( I invested in a little strainer to strain my soups) I also, got to the point I was taking the spice packet out of ramen noodle soup and putting half on it in ho****er, to get a different flavor, oriental, yum, yum. Also, thought I would throw in here, that my favorite protein shake is AdvantEdge from Walmart. (chocolate fudge) I have to say I haven't tried any other protein shake, but I like this one, and am not wanting to dump some money just to try. I also purchased the grape Isopure from WW, and it's awful!!!! I have like 8 bottles that are going to go to waste. Well, that's my list of what worked for me, hope it helps.
Amber
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