Question:
Prepare for Post Surgery

I would like to get ready for the surgery, which is scheduled in 30 days. I want to make sure that I have the proper "liquid" suggestions. Also should I purchase any bandages or anything to keep on hand. I will be alone after I come home from my surgery. My husband works long extended hours and is off away from home from days at a time, so I will be alone having a friend who can stop by a few times a week. Any special suggestions? I know it will be a liquid diet - anything I should think of? I really hate - HATE - the taste of milk, and soy is very difficult for me to digest. I want to find a protein drink I can make while I am recovering. Any suggestions?    — Melinda J. (posted on March 6, 2005)

March 6, 2005
I am 10 weeks post-op, so will try to help a bit. First of all, you are not going to feel like "making" anything for a few days. Things that were important to me: Broth, it comes in these neat boxes. All you have to do is pour into cup and microwave. Carnation instant breakfast. The premade stuff (the mix does not have sufficient portein). Has about 10 grams of protein, and is easy to get down. I can only find it at Walmart, close to the pharmacy. The chocolate is best. I drank two of these a day for about the first three weeks. Kind of a treat, actually. The pre-made sugar free Jello. Dannon makes a yogurt that is low carb., and I think is flavored with splenda. This is important, just to treat yourself with no guilt. The no sugar added popsicles. I found an applesauce with no sugar added...read labels, and get the little containers. Make sure your medicines, supplements, etc., are close to your bed. You doctor should tell you what types he feels you should be taking. If not, e-mail me and I will give you my doctor's instructions. Get as much in liquid form as possible, and for those you can't, buy a pill splitter. My daughter calls mine my mini guillotine. My doctor also recommended a product called Pro-Stat 64. Taken straight (get wild cherry flavor) in a shot glass (15 grams of protein in a 30ml serving, sugar free, and only 60 calories). You need to order it on-line. Once you find the site, you might want to call. That way you can order only one. Otherwise if you just order on line you must spend a minimum of $60 ($30 for a quart). Make sure that your doctor sends you home with liquid pain medicine, and use it. That is what it is for. Much easier to get down. Some people like to sleep in a recliner the first few days, if you have one. I am partial to my bed, and had an old walker I kept close, just to help me get in and out for the first couple of days. You still need to walk, or you will get nasty gas. Now just a personal recommendation. You might look into the availability of a visiting nurse, should you have any kind of complications. Just to have a name on hand. Not trying to jinx your surgery, but better safe than sorry. Put yourself first. This is your time. No cleaning, waiting on anyone else etc. Don't know about bandages. My incisions were glued. I found it kind of funny that this was the first surgery I had that I had no bandages at all. I know you wear a binder in the hospital. I was OK without it when I came home, but everyone is different. I am far from an expert, just sharing my limited experience, but would be happy to answer any further questions, you might have. Have books, and movies, and this is important...make sure your slippers are slip-on. Lie around and complain alot. Doesn't matter if no one is listening...your special and you deserve it.
   — lindarodham6

March 6, 2005
I forgot the most important thing, bottled water (I like the sports bottles, and Crystal Light too.
   — lindarodham6

March 6, 2005
Plenty of WATER, water, water, water!! Soups, broth. Carnation instant breakfast,sugar free jello, sugar free popcicles, sugar free apple juice, thinned down runny mashed potatoes, thin them down with skimmed milk( no flavor in skimmed milk)try carb countdown, get it at Wal-Mart in the dairy section, it isn't milk. But it sure is good.(The Chocolate is GREAT!!) Protein drinks are hard to do the first week or so, but the Countdown went down realy well and it has plenty of protein in it. As for laying in the bed, WRONG, gotta walk. I went shopping 2 days after I got home from the hospital and even drove the car, BUT, I wasn't on any pain medicine either. I was not doing any housework at that time, But shopping was OK. I had very little discomfort or pain with my surgery, just felt like a gallbladder surgery, no big deal. Good Luck and Drink your WATER, sip it, all day long.........
   — cindirella

March 7, 2005
Dear Melinda, I am 3weeks post op. I stayed at the hospital for two 1/4 days and two nights. When I went home I felt fine to be by myself. In fact I had more pain with my lap. gallbladder surgery. Even thought this Lap RnY was more major. I found I could not handle some of the protein drinks. I wish I tried them out prior to the surgery. I found propel waters went down easier than water in the first two weeks. Everyone warned me about water not wanting to go down easy afer the surgery...small sips. I could not handle Crystal light...aspartame stuff. I found Jay Robbs Egg White protein drink the best. Since I could not have the soy or whey and I also managed the rice protein drink powder...but I found it to be more gritty. I also found ISOPURE drinks...many flavors not so bad. There is a small aftertaste but to know I was getting my protein in...it was worth the aftertaste. I like the green apple, blueberry, and grape flavors the best...almost like a jolly rancher. I found ISOPURE drinks at GNC. Sugarfree popsicles were good too. Goodluck with everything. I am sure you will do just fine.
   — Gwen S.

March 7, 2005
Plan on walking...the more you walk the better you will feel. I had an open rny --so I slept in my recliner. I had problems laying in bed for at least 3 weeks. After you get through the liquid phase...you can blend Wendy's chili, excellent choice for protein..best wishes to you!
   — debmi

March 7, 2005
I just discovered the best protein shake ever, since I've been on them. Actually, a lady at the gym gave me a shot of hers and I love them. You can find at the VitaminShoppe or GNC. There about $2.65 a can or you can by it by the case for $28. It's 250 calories and 50 grams of protein. Brand name: Iron-Tek, Micell Edge Rtd 50 Vanilla. Available in Choc., Van., Straw., & Ban. Good Luck
   — aprilbaree

March 7, 2005
I first started drinking protien shakes about a year before my surgery along with liquid aminos for the body... They have helped me tremendously. I buy the from Muscle Mag on Keyser Ave. It's called "Whey Complex Protien plus and it comes in a few flavors. The protien pack in this drink is marvelous! It has 54 grams of protien in each drink and like I said they're not bad. However I mix them with the super skim non-fat milk and alos to break the monotony, I use my favorite "lite" juices too. good luck!
   — jeff L.

March 7, 2005
Please read my site. Also, I would recommand that you have someone stay with you for at least 3 days or depending on how you recover from the surgery. You will not be able to take care of your personal needs (washroom, getting out of bed, etc.) for at least a two to three days. I recovered quickly but I stayed by my parents house for at least a week. My profile will give you a lot of info on what to take to the hospital, what you need for the home, and to prep your house. Example: - purchase a raised tolete seat. This will help greatly. - have lots of pillows for your bed. You will be sleeping on your back for some time and you don't want to strain your stomach getting in and out of bed. If you have a high bed make sure you have a step stool. - there two phases of liquid diets that you will follow.. here is a list: Clear Liquid Diet: clear broth, SF gelatin, SF popsicles, 100% juices apple, grape or whte grape diluted with equal amounts of water, sf crystal light, sf kool-aid, decaf coffee or teas, water. Need to consume 64 oz of fluids a day to prevent dehyration, sip fluids slowly throught out day, do not use straws and NO CARBONATED DRINKS. All fluids must be sugar free. - Purchase a baby sippy cup. Train yourself to take sips. Full Liquid Diet All things included on the clear liquid diet, milk skim or 1%, sf puddings, yogart smoth NO BITS OR sugar (no fruit on the bottom), strained soups no bits (NO TOMATOE), ALL soups must be blend and straned, carnation instant breadfast sf, not coccoa sf, alba sf, orange juice diluted with 50% water, sf smoothies, egg beaters Important: add fat free dry milk to full liquids to increase protein (add to your puddings, soups, etc.) add chewable multivitamins (bugs bunny SF), if lactose intolerant add lactaid drops). GNC as a drink call ISOPURE. It has 40+ gram of protein. You can drink this as part of your liquids. Start trying protein drinks (read labels) No sugar and watch the fat. I use one I love. I found it in a health food store called: Jay Robb's Whey Protein (Chocolate). Soft Foods: Cottage chees, blended, cooked cereals, scrambled egg beaters, applesauce (no sugar added), boby foods check the sugar and protein (stay away from fruits, custards, etc.) baby food meats with added powder milk, may use blender to puree other foods that are high in protein and low in sugar, use blender, add broth, milk or water to get desired consistancy, should be semi smooth. REMEMBER: We are only eating to survive NOT livig to eat. We need to look at food as necessary to keep the engine going and that it. I fed my body and lets move on to more fun activities (riding a bike, walking, planting flowers, etc. You will start with only 1 oz to 2 oz of liquid per meal. No drinking 1/2 hour before, no drinking during meals and must wait 45 mins. after eating before drinking. This is why it is so important to keep a little sippy cup with you at all times to keep taking sips of water all day long. Your tastes will change greatly. There are going to be products you don't want to drink but it is going to be sooooo important that you stay hydrated and get your protein in that you may have to drink something you don't like. If you are not a water drinker stock up on crystal light. Your goal is to eat 6 small meals per day. 3 balanced meals plus 3 high protein snakes (this is 2 months down the line). Your first few months your GOAL is to develop good eating habits. Read labels. Change those old eating habits. Sit at a table only and eat or drink your meals. Set a timer. This is going to sound funny but welcome to our new world. During the liquid phase you still need to take your time to consume 2 ozs of liquid. I used a baby spoon and dipped it into the pudding and licked it off, put the spoon down and waited. Repeat. It took me 1/2 hour to eat 2 ozs of pudding. Don't rush to eat soft or regular foods. Use this time to changed your eating habits. Stock up on baby food and powder milk. If you don't own a food chopper invest in one. You can chop up tuna so it is smooth. Introduce one new food per day. This gives your stomach time to adjust and find out what it can and can not take. If a food doesn't agree with you stop and don't reintroduce it for another week or two. Your stomach may not be ready for it. I would also join a support group before your surgery and for after. Issues will come up about your stomach and body that you will not beleive. Please go into this surgery knowing that it is a DIET TOOL and you have to change your eating habits and exercise regularly. You have a window of time to lose weight before your body adjusts to your new eating habits. That is why exercise is very important. I would also recommand that you start walking and exercising before the surgery. This will speed up your recovery. Eating lots of protein before surgery will also help. Wear the binder that they give you in the hospital at all times for the first 4 to 6 weeks. No lifting at all for 4 to 6 weeks. It will take at least 6 months to completely recovery from this surgery. I've lost 180 lbs and love my new life. It wasn't easy and you are going to give up some foods that you will miss. I know my triger foods are breads, CARBS. I haven't had a slice of bread in two years. The hardest part is the emotion issues that you will have to learn to deal with. Remember, we used food to cover our emotions. After the surgery you no longer can. Get help with this time comes. It can mean success or failure. Good luck to you. Drop me a line if you have any questions or just want to vent!
   — Linda R.