Lots of Questions...

My name is LaTina Quinn and I have recently been approved for the gastric bypass surgery. My scheduled date is February 18, 2004 at 7:30 a.m. I am quite nervous and excited all at the same time. I have so many questions about what I need to do in these upcoming weeks. I look forward to living and eating healthier after the surgery. If anyone would like to answer some of my questions, please feel free to contact me. Some questions of concern are: 1. Do I need to start eating different now? 2. What can I eat that won't effect the surgery? 3. Do I need to begin a 2 week liquid diet? 4. What types of liquid can I have? 5. What types of Protein drinks are good? 6. What other options do I have besides pureed food? Any answers would be helpful.

Congrats on your surgery. 1, 2) You don't HAVE to start eating differently before your surgery, but it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! In fact, exercising and dieting now will help along your recovery after surgery! Buy some baby silverware--fork and spoon. Start eating very very small bites and practice chewing food very very thoroughly now. It is a difficult adjustment after surgery. 3, 4) You do not need to begin a liquid diet now. However, you will have to drink a lot of water and sugar-free drinks after surgery. I recommend WATER, but Crystal Light is good and the new Fruit 2-o drink is good. You can have any kind of liquid following surgery that is sugar free and it is recommended that you drink NON-carbinated drinks. NO SODA for quite some time. . . months! The clear liquids are better for you. 5) Protein drinks are good but look for the lower sugar ones. I've heard that Glycerna drinks are good in that they are lower in sugars/carbohydrates. Should be able to find Glycerna at any drug store and perhaps Wal-mart, etc. 6) Pureed foods will be a must at first. You can puree your own foods in a blender by either adding a little milk or a little water, depending on what you are pureeing. If you can't afford a new blender, go to second-hand stores (Vinny's or Good-Will), they usually have some blenders. Other than pureed foods, you can buy baby foods already packaged. Remember, watch out for the sugar content!!! It can make you dump.

Good questions. I am suppose to be having surgery on the same date. Good luck.