Still No Response!!!

I asked this question last week but still haven't gotten any replies yet. Please help. I was wondering if anyone started taking protein supplements bars drinks and such BEFORE surgery and if so did that help their recovery time? Also does anyone know where you can purchase one of those breathing things with the ball that they give you in the hospital. I'm just trying to be really in good health before surgery, still haven't a date yet or approval but I talked to my insurance today and they said as long as I was severly morbid obese, and it was subject to a clinical review whatever that is I would be covered. Keep your fingers crossed!! Thanks so much

I have heard that if you start a couple of weeks before surgury the protein helps in healing. Hey might as well get use to the taste. I have heard so far most of it does not taste that bad. Lisa

Hi Connie! I was doing a lot of protein supplements prior to surgery becasue I was powerlifting. I think any time you can improve your diet or well being before hand is great. Plus it is a good idea to just sample around with different things. I am not sure if you can purchase an incentive spirometer or not. The best place to check would be with a pharmacy that handles durable medical goods. To be honest with you,one of the best thing you can do is walking. Try to get some walking if at all possible before you go to surgery. You can practice deep breathing techniques as well to help open your lungs, but walking will help that a lot. If you smoke, you should really try to quit too. Another good thing would be swimming or just getting in a pool and moving around. For those of us who are MO floating in the pool helps with the joints and allows you to move and exercise a little easier. Good luck with your journey! I hope this helped a little. Basically just moving your body is the best thing you can do if your health permits. Take care, keep posting and keep us up to date as to where you are in your journey! Valerie Curry, RN Lap RNY 07/10/2003 268/172/145

Connie , I didn't start my protein before my surgery.... so I'm sorry i can't be of much help there.... and Barix.... the nutritionist that you will meet at you pre-op testing will probably tell you to try to get as much of you protein though natural means as possible.... at least that was what was stressed with me.... you might want to make a question list and inclucde that one for your pre admission meetings. don't worry about buying the spirometer... Barix will give you one when you go for the preadmission testing... the respiratory therapist will meet with you too and show you how to use it.... have you practice with it and assign you a goal to be working on up to the time of your surgery. Barix is pretty thorough with providing you with all you need for you hospital stay as well... You will be in very good hands!!! V.

as others have said- the proteins cannot hurt if you try before hand--also in the way of helping your hair and nails-however- cutting down on carbs will also make a big difference! as was suggested if you are a smoker- quit--some have troubles afterward(my opinion only)--and walking etc is a great way to improve your breathing- i , too, went to barix-dr stelmack-love him!!!!- and you will get your very own inspirometer.....just wait!!!!!!and they will expect you to bring it to hosp for after surgery!(like homework!!!) good luck to you!

I did and boy has it helped. I upped the water so the veins are nice n puffy. Protein helps in tissue healing. As far as syphgnometer. Just walk ASAp after surgery.