Pre-op preparedness

Please do me a big favor. Post one (or more) things you would advise me to do pre-op to prepare for the "big day" and the first stage of WLS.
Thanks,
Ellen

 My Dietician made me come up with an eating plan post-op (before surgery).  I thought it was a waste of time, but it was very beneficial.  

Don't buy too many protein powders pre-op as your tastes WILL change

Don't just take your surgeons (and office's) word that your labs are "ok  and within range".  Be protactive and track them - forever.

Oh - and the night before surgery... drink a ton of water! If you're like me, your veins are hard to find and that definitely helps!

Good night's sleep the night before
Read lots about what to expect post op - some kindle books and this forum were great help for me
Attend support groups - if your doctor offers
Find a mentor
And I agree with the above about tastes changing don't stock up on protein powder or bars in advance
Just after surgery walk as much as you can.. It really helps

Drink heaps of water so you have good veins.

Stock up some soups. Low carb, low fat or better still cook up and freeze your own.

Take a good chap stick for your dry lips in hospital and also some breath spray as for a few days you will have yucky breath or taste in your mouth from anesthetic.

 

 Ellen, if you could start walking or doing some form of exercise it would help your body get in the best shape for surgery.

I would stop caffeine and carbonated beverages a couple of weeks before your surgery to get over the caffeine headache.  If you smoke --stop!!

Now the hard one- try to stop drinking with your meals and not drink for atleast 30 to 45 minutes after you eat.

Good luck and keep us posted!!

Linda

If your surgeon has a plan, follow it.  Mine was very specific with what I could and could not eat.  We didn't get the whole plan in the beginning, some folks get a whole book.  We had a class at the beginning of each diet phase with the Nut to answer questions and explain the next phase. 

Before surgery I think the best things I did were to decarb and decaff.  I also didn't drink with meals but I have never had the habit of drinking with meals so that was pretty easy for me.  I also don't drink sodas but if you do, stop those now.  Order protein samples from Unjury, Syntrax, Vitalady.  Your taste will change but you also need to have some on hand. Whey isolate protein is what you are looking for, especially in the beginning.

Thanks to everyone. I am writing all kinds of things down, will order some protein samples, etc. Have already cut back on my diet soda intake by 75%. today I walked a fat burner program on the treadmill for 20 minutes. Probably won't have a surgery date til the end of November or early December because I don't finish with the nutritionist til the middle of October.