Question:
Please tell me how/where to start stocking up on proper foods, vitamins, etc.
I would really appreciate help in this area as I seem to get so confused when I think about what to have on hand. I have looked at several types of vitamins, protein supplements, etc. and can't seem to decide. My doctor hasn't given me much in this area yet. I see him again on 9/13. My surgery is 9/22. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. — Dot W. (posted on September 4, 1999)
September 4, 1999
Each of us has been given a different set of rules to follow. Each
procdure is different. Largely, if the nutrtition is set by a
nutritionist, it will be quite different than one set by an obesity
surgeon. That is to qualify an obesity surgeon does nothing but and a
regular surgeon does a few obesity operations every now and then. Our
doctor seems to have the strictest guidelines I've seen, yet he gets some
of the best wt loss nationally. I don't FEEL restricted, really. But I've
been thin for 5 yrs, so whatever I thought I was missing isn't missed that
much, you know?
— vitalady
September 5, 1999
I have been using vita4life.net since I had surgery on 4-1-99 and my blood
work has been perfact. I would recommend it to anyone who has had this
surgery. As for protein I order it from netrition.com I use problend 55
but there are others like designer and NRG, try them they will give you the
amount of protein that your body needs everyday and keep you healthy while
you loose weight and can't eat much of anything. [email protected]
— Anna D.
September 5, 1999
Hi. The first couple of weeks after gettting home from the hospital you
will be on a full liquid diet. So, you will want to have sugar free
Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks on hand to get protein. These were the
best for me, I was able to handle the taste. Also, sugar free jello, and
pudding, sugar free drinks such as Crystal Light or Kool Aid, skim milk or
low fat milk. After the liquid diet then you will be able to handle soft
foods like mashed potatoes, well cooked vegetables, macaroni and cheese,
yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. I'm sure you'll do fine. The first month or
two is the most difficult to know what to eat. But just make sure you get
the protein. Good luck.
— Kathy K.
September 5, 1999
I had surgery on August 31, 1999 at the Bariatric Treatment Center in
Belvidere, Illinois. They are very strict on what you eat for the first
six weeks, but they do 6-12 surgeries of this kind at the Illinois location
itself, so I would like to believe that they know the best. I am on clear
liquids until the start of week 2. That is sugar free jello, sugar free
popsicles, water, diluted 50 % white grape juice or apple juice, chicken or
beef broth. On Tuesday I start full liquids for two weeks, which I will
add, sugar free instant carnation breakfast, nutrasweet flavored yogurt (no
chunks type), sugar free pudding, sugar free fudgesicles, strained low fat
creamed soups (stay away from tomato). To add protein, they told me to buy
powdered milk and put a tablespoon or so in with the pudding and yogurt to
give added protein which is crucial to avoid hairloss a couple months from
now. The 4th and 5th week will be pureed foods and 6th week will be soft
foods, like cottage cheese, tuna, cheeses, eggs (egg beaters).
I wouldn't buy any expensive vitamins. I have been told by other post op
people too, those not going to Bariatric Treatment Center, that all you
need starting week two is two Bugs Bunny Sugar Free chewables a day. The
surgeon also told me that I needed chewable pepcid AC or the dissolvable
ones that go under tongue (by script) for two months post op to avoid
getting ulcers. Good luck to you. Keep up the good attitude. It is
important for healing and getting over the pain. God Bless.
— Laura L.
September 5, 1999
I am going to give you two web sites to check out. These are the two
places I get my vitamis and protiens and they are both great. Good luck.
www.vita4life.com
www.vitalady.com
— Kim C.
September 5, 1999
Hi Diane,
My name is Cheri and I can only suggest what I have been using. Vitamins:
Bugs Bunny Sugar Free with Iron. I take 2 perday. One in the am and one at
dinner time. My nutritionist suggested Flintstones with iron but I like
the Bugs Bunny better. Also I ordered a soy protein powder from: Puritans
Pride. They are a mail order vitamin supply company.They have a web page
at www.puritanspride.com. I bought the 2 pound vanilla flavored for
$22.00 it is a 2 lb can. Then I got 4 pounds for free. They have those
type of sales all of the time. I also bought a chewable calcium tablet
from them. They are bavarian cream flavored! Very good. I take 3 of
those per day. I hope someone told you you have to have chewable things or
you must crush all pills after your surgery. You can also take tums with
calcium. Yu will have to have a vitamin b12 shot monthly also if you are
having RNY surgery.Good luck with your surgery. If you want to chat please
feel free to contact me. I have lost 55 lbs, since my surgery on 6/17/99.
And feel great. Onl my way to thin for the first time in 25 years. hope
this helps. Oh yeah, don't forget to buy some baby food for when you can
start having soft food. And crystal light powder for drinks,I could also
have tomatoe soup and clear broth(ugh)I had t go to soy milk because i am
now lactose intolerant. but you might try lactaid milk to mix to protein
powder in. If you mix it in a blender and add ice it is not too bad. You
might try carnation instant breakfast or slim fast also for your protein.
but for me they were too too too sweet. Made me very nausaus.sorry about
the spelling. Let me know how you do. I will keep you in my daily
meditations. Cheri
— Cheri H.
September 5, 1999
Every doctor has his/her own protocol for their patients post-op, if your
doc hasn't given you the nutritional info yet, I'm sure he will on your
next visit, if you need it earlier, I'm sure if you give the office a
call, they'd be happy to provide a sheet to you with the info you need.
Your doc knows you best, we're not medical people here for the most part,
so we can only make suggestions based on our own experiences, not on your
specific facts :) Please give your doc a call. Best wishes on your
upcoming surgery, my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
— Sherrie G.
September 5, 1999
Well out here on the right coast I tell the patients to eat regular foods,
just blended or soft to begin with at first, like cottage cheese, eggs,
well cooked fish, or finely chopped meats. If you get on the protein/carb
super drinks they will prevent good weight loss. I tell the patient to get
a regular multivitamin with iron and minerals, which has at least 16mg of
iron, 400mcg of folic acid, and 6mcg of vitB12. There are many such
vitamins, generic and name brand, chewable, liquid, etc. Women especially
may need more iron, but I determine that only on the basis of lab testing.
I check the serum levels of the above vitamins and iron yearly, or more
often if there is a problem. Most patients do fine with the vitamin I
described, if they are having a gastric bypass RNY, not the duodenal switch
or some other 'distal' bypass. These patients may need more and I have no
experience with them.
— Bruce B.
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