Question:
SURGERY DATE IS DEC. 4TH. WHAT DO I NEED TO BUY?

WHAT DO I REALLY NEED ON HAND TO COME HOME TO? IM LOOKING FOR A LIST OF THE FIRST 2-3 WEEKS WORTH OF STUFF AFTER SURGERY. PROTEINS, LIQUIDS, MEASUREING CONTAINERS, VITAMINS, BANDAGES, WOUND OITMENT ETC? I KNOW EVERYONE IS GONNA HAVE A DIFFERNT LIST AND PEOPLE ARE DIFFERNT AND HAVE DIFFERNT NEEDS BUT I GOTTA START SOMEWHERE. I JUST DONT WANT TO WORRY ABOUT NEEDING SOMETHING LAST MINUTE. OR SENDING MY WIFE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. PLEASE HELP! :o)    — PHATBOY (posted on November 14, 2006)

November 14, 2006
As best as I can remember (my surgery was 4 years ago,) I needed nothing for wound care. I did wash with Dove soap because Dove is so pure without irritating addatives. After the wounds have healed (not before) you may use Vitamin E oil which will lessen scar tissue. If you use before the wound has healed completely, the oil provides an environment for bacteria to grow -- not good! I was on a liquid protein diet for two weeks post-op. So not sure what to tell you here about food stuffs. Water, water and more water. Three bottles of water sounds like quite a bit, but it is absolutely necessary. The biggest concern is having someone to help and it sounds as if you have that covered. I was able to do quite a bit. I had my surgery the week before Thanksgiving and went Christmas shopping the week after Thanksgiving. It should be noted here that I'm nuts and wouldn't recommend anyone follow my lead. I do think the more you are willing to do, the quicker you get back to normal. Your body lets you know when you need to rest, and you should rest. Remember you have had major surgery. Also, I do not know if you are having an open procedure. If so, you will need to rest and recouperate. I had only four small incisions, so my recovery was quicker. Good luck to you, and congratulations -- you have most probably just saved your own life -- and what a life lies ahead! Shari Donoho [email protected]
   — sby949

November 14, 2006
Hi J.R. First of all, CONGRATS on your upcoming surgery! Second of all, b-r-e-a-t-h-e... :) You're gonna be just fine. I had surgery on 4/11/03, and here's what I used the most: 1) liquid tylenol for pain; 2) crystal light for when i got sick of plain water; 3) some pre-mixed protein shakes - i really like the chocolate EAS brand (you can get them at the market or Wal-Mart); 4) protein powder for shakes; 5) 2% milk (for when i couldn't face another shake); and 6) chicken broth. In the first couple of weeks, water and protein are the most important, so no need to stock up on a bunch of stuff you won't use, and no need to send your poor wife out in the middle of the night. You'll be on the other side before you know it, so just enjoy the ride! And again, congrats on your life-affirming decision to have surgery! All the best, Dawn H. Lap RNY 4/11/03 296/204/(on my way to 165!)
   — momstah

November 14, 2006
I found I had become lactose intolorance, so I think Achievone is great. I still use it over any other protein shake. I would buy a box of sugar free popsicles. They are great if you get sick to your stomach. You can get adult chewable vitamins now. Either one specialized for bariatric patients or centrum makes an adult chewable. B12 under the tongue - GNC has a good tasting one. Ocean spray makes a great tasting diet cranberry juice. I also like Lipton diet green tea in the 16 oz bottle. Good luck.
   — Loretta D.

November 14, 2006
Hi J.R. - I had lap RNY 9/21/06 - Don't stock up!!! You won't eat much at first and you'll most likely be on liquids for the first 2 weeks. I had chicken broth, liquid protein drink (EAS), sf popsicles, applesauce and jello. That's about all I ate at first. As far as your wounds go - I didn't need anything. I didn't need pain meds and my 5 incisions were covered with steri-strips. I just couldn't bath for 4-6 weeks. Had to shower instead. I was up and moving the day I came home from the hospital and was only in the hospital for 1 day. So sit back, relax, and soon you will be on the loser's bench. WELCOME!!! and Good luck!
   — Carol A.

November 14, 2006
HI JR..... I had my surgery on 10/31, so everything is fresh in my head.... (I have lost 17lbs so far !!!) Anyway, this is about you, not me. But I will have to use me as a reference... this is what I had and am still using, will go into diet in a sec...so here it goes... Cooking/Eating equipment: measuring cups/spoons; small custard cups or small "ingredient bowls"-you know the kind that the chefs use-they make a small amt looker bigger; 4-cup measuring cup for cooking cream of wheat (I cook a couple of batches at a time, so that I have it for the next morning); food scale - not needed immediately, but will need once you are on stage III and must weight meat & food processor and/or blender, storage bowls. Suppliments/vitamins: Protein powder supplement (I used Any Whey - any drug store); multi-vitamin - children's chewable - 2 daily; chewable Vitamin C -helps with healing; Tylenol liquid / quick dissolve tabs - only get a few doses out of container due to adult strength needed from children's dosage); Vitamin B12 - sublingual (under tongue)- use once weekly; Biotin capsules - help slow down / prevent hair loss; Gas X chewables or quick dissolve; pill crusher/splitter for meds that you may still have to take. Protein Shakes / Bars: I was told no chewy bars - you want the kind that are like rice crispy treats - easier to digest. Shakes (I use Atkins = low in sugar, high in protein) if you choose some other brand be sure that it is less than 200 calories and less than 12 g carb. Bandages: you can ask for a couple 4x4s and tape to go home with for when the drain site may drain a little more. After that you can use a bandage. Once it doesn't drain anymore, allow to air dry and scab up. Your steri strips will follow off on their own. Foods: Cream of wheat; sugar substitute; yogurt - smooth without fruit chunks = yoplait light; sugar-free/fat-free instant puddings - any flavor; Lactaid milk; creamed soups; water; and crystal light. Misc: camera (digital or disposable); measuring tape; scale - you will use these to document your weight loss progress. Hint: take your photos in front of the same object (door/wall, etc, so you have a reference point for comparison) Now when I first got home, I was using the cream of wheat (1/2 cup), yogurt (1/2cup) and pudding for breakfast (1/4 cup) and it would take me about 30-45 min to eat. I eat slowly, usually have the paper, book, etc and dip my spoon in and pull it out and whatever sticks to it is my bite. I have found that this helps me eat slower and it easier on my stomach. For lunch: I had 1/2 cup creamed soup, 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/4 cup pudding = same for dinner. After about 10days, I ate a couple of melba rounds and chewed, chewed and chewed some more until it was mush. It felt so good to eat something that you had to chew. That was stage II. Stage III, which I am currently on, I have tried some soups that I usually run really quick through the blender. I have tried fish - just took very small bites and chew, chew and chew some more, but, man was it good. Anyway, hope this helps out. You should get a food list from the dietician that you saw during the approval process and from the dietician you will see on your preop visits at the hospital. They will also come around while you are still in the hospital, so if you have any questions you can ask .... make a list. so good luck and congrats on your upcoming surgery....
   — Kari_K