What do I need?

I'm going to be having my RNY within the next couple of months. I'm hoping some of you experienced wise people will have some advice for me on what I should have at home to get me through life just after my surgery. What products, foods, protein options? Any advice at all will be extremely helpful. What was the best thing that you did to get through those first few weeks?

Proteins to put in liquids.. swiss miss sugar free hot chocolate, that is the easiest way to get proteins and liquids in when you are swelled on the inside...Get a variety of protein powders, because your taste can change at any time, and what ever you have been using will no longer want to cooperate. .... Small measuring containers, that you can seal, for doing portions of meat / carbs after surgery... Be sure to get and make copies of all expectations for post -op care...diet and the expected progressions , supplements...etc.

Get your IRON and Calcium, Magnesium levels up. Besure to make sure there is a Zinc level done, so you will know your beginning point. Zinc levels can be too high, but when they drop, hair loss occurs...usually about 3 months post op. This is prevented by maintaining Zinc, but you must be pro-active about the levels...others will not be as concerned as you are...

Thank you! I never considered small measuring containers that seal, what a great tip. I also did not know about the zinc levels! Is it worth I'm thinking of getting a sample kit of protein flavors, so far I've been in love with muscle milk products but I'll be sure to keep an open mind if they're not agreeing with me afterwards.

You really don't need as much as you think you might. Unless you live far from a market or don't have any one to send for something.

Don't stock up on protein shakes even if you are tempted. Your taste will change after surgery so what is fantastic to you now might really taste like ass afterwards. And even if you still like it after surgery you risk burnout if you have too much of one kind. Same for food. I loved tuna pre-op. Now it tastes like metal to me.

I did make sure I had several cans of beef and chicken broth. I had some sugar free syrups to add to my protein shakes but I didn't really drink them long. Hated them before and after. SF popcicles are a good choice to have around. Cottage cheese is really good for protein and often easy on the stomach early out. Unless you come out of surgery with lactose intolerence which also happens.

I think shoes that are easy to slip on and off for my initial short walks were helpful.

Get your vitamins in line and make sure your meds are in order. If you take any time release meds you will most likely have to change to the regular meds. Talk to your pharmacist for this as they are far more helpful than your doctor here. You can take the recommendations to your doc to discuss.

Start praciticing new habits like not drinking while you eat and measuring your food if you haven't yet. I think things like that were more important to me than supplies after it was all said and done.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your reply!

Others have given you some good advice, except two inaccurate statements:

1) Hot chocolate is a terrible choice, sugar-free or not. If a hot beverage helps you with liquids, drink plain tea. Peppermint and Chamomile are good choices.

2) You cannot prevent all hair loss by maintaining Zinc levels because the hair loss most people experience after surgery is not related to Zinc levels.

I lived off of protein shakes, PB2 (good mixed in shakes and yogurt), Greek Yogurt, cottage cheese, sugar-free pudding, and melted swiss and mozzarella cheeses for the first two weeks. Don't buy much of anything though because you will be amazed at how long it takes you to get through one container.

Very helpful, thank you! It's it because a clear warm liquid sites better than like a more dense one? And pb2 question well would that mix into greek yogurt well? And this might sound stupid, but can you miss protein powder intro yogurt? I've never retired or but I was thinking it might be a good easy to get lots of protein into tiny amounts of food lol. .might be crazy but I have no idea lol

A grabber is a nice thing to have after surgery as you will not be able to bend over and pick anything up. I got mine at rite aide.

Protein and liquids!!!!