Question:
Can some one EMAIL me a list of what to buy for my first 3 weeks home. My surgery in

   — christina L. (posted on May 3, 2003)

May 3, 2003
Suger Free Jello will be your friend. Chicken broth, sugar free popcicles, soups, chrystal light, low fat cottage cheese, sugar free dannon light and creamy yogurt. This is what I survived on for about the first two week. You can also get a protien powder to add to your water. Your doctor should have a list of what exactly they want you to be eating. I also love herb decafe teas. Usually you are on 10-14 days of clear liquids and these should be ok...I hope this helps... Karen
   — Karen Wyatt

May 3, 2003
My Dr. said liquid ONLY until he clears you for a soft diet. I had only Ensure diluted by 1/2 with water. Chicken broth, crystal light, and tomato soup for my first 10 days. After you go on the soft diet approx 8-10 days post OP, then yogurt, mashed potatoes, jello etc.
   — Shannan B.

May 3, 2003
hi, your doc should have already given you a diet so you know what you will be eating when you come home. Only buy what is on his list. Before my surgery, even before I got my diet from doc, I ran out to the store and bought all this stuff people on here said to have on hand. Then came home on soft foods breifly then regular food cut up fine and chewed to death. Needless to say, I wasted a lot of money and had to throw out a lot of stuff. Go by what your doc says since they are all different.
   — Delores S.

May 3, 2003
My doctor suggests Carnation Instant Breakfast No Sugar Added. It comes in a variety pack. Strawberry, Vanilla, and Chocolate. It tastes good. I especially like Chocolate and I drink the Strawberry every now and again. In the beginning I mixed it with skim milk and for every 16 oz. I mixed in 1/3 cup non fat dry milk. Also, Crystal Light has several good flavors. Rasberry Ice and Pink Lemonade are great. There are some pop makers that make No Sugar Added pops that are pretty good too. Broth has never been my favorite food/drink item so I did not really rely on those too much. Basically anything you can drink that is caffeine free and no sugar would be best. I suggest you check with you doctor as the above is only what was suggested by my doctor.
   — Kitty Kat

May 3, 2003
I agree with the last poster...I spent a lot of money on things I NEVER even touched. Don't stock up on anything. 1 year later, I was still throwing stuff out. If you are unable to have someone do a little shopping for you during your first few weeks, I would definitely make sure you have a box of sugarfree popciles (those were my friends). Your tastebuds will be a little off so it will be hard to judge what will work. Spend sometime getting your house post surgery friendly. The best thing I did was took my dog's food & put it on a chair so I wouldn't have to bend to scoop it out for him.
   — Ilene M.

May 4, 2003
There are two things other posters have said that I'd emphasize. Ask your surgeon what his/her eating plan for immediate post-op is. Some want only clear liquids while others have you eating soft or pureed foods before you leave the hospital. In my opinion, the best reason to follow whatever your doctor requires is that, if you have any problems, you don't want your surgeon to blame it on the fact that you are not following his plan. That could cloud any real issues you're having and you don't want that.<p>The second thing is not to buy too much. I have several boxes of sf Jello that will be donated to a food bank. I had so much post-op that I never want to see the stuff again.
   — garw