preparing for the surgery
Although my date is a couple of months out (April 9), I was just wondering what and how you prepared for your surgery? What did you get prior to surgery? What did you use to relaxation for surgery? Although I am excited, I am also scared. This is a life changing surgery for me. I work in the health field and have see the good results and the bad. Thankfully more good. I am in the process of calling some places that provide protein to ask for some samples because many times I have read how what you may like prior to surgery, you hate after surgery, so I wanted to get some samples so I can try them after the surgery. Does anyone have any suggestions for vitamins, soft foods, etc? It seems like now that I was approved time is going by so slow but I know the date will come. Thank you for your help in advance. 
Wanda
HW: 282, SW: 244.4, CW: 211, GW: 140
Getting protein samples are a very good idea, and allot of the companies out there are happy to send you some. You are so right this is for life not a diet I stated taking Beriatric advantage vitamins as they came highly recommended my my surgen, had them at home ready for when i got out of the hospital. It is a exciting time and also scary one. I felt the same, did start walking every night preparing for my big day also. Keep us posted and good luck.
Hi Wanda,
I was so busy pre-op that before I knew it, the day arrived, I really didn't have much free time to stress out. On the occasions that I did stress, I knew enough people who had the surgery, that I was comforted in the fact that they all would do it again. I also knew that I was miserable with the way I was feeling, and nothing I had done before worked long term, so I had to do something different because it was affecting my quality of life. I figured even if the worst happened during surgery, it was going to happen if I didn't lose weight, so I may as well risk it all, and try to make my life better. So I guess the short answer is, I kept busy, and I was more scared of where I was headed if I didn't have the WLS than if I did, so that eased any anxiety.
Getting protein samples is a great idea vs the big containers. It's good you're aware that your taste can change after surgery. Some folks become lactose intolerant, so you might want to explore some that aren't mixed with milk, or try milk alternatives. Vitalady is a great site because she has lots of samples to choose from. https://vitalady.com/
Centrum Silver comes in chewables, and whole tablets. I did chewables until I could swallow them whole easily. Remember 2 a day. I order my calcium on-line, and there are so many varieties, just make sure it's Calcium Citrate. Make SURE you read on the label how many doses equals the amount you need in a day.The ASMBS says we need 1500-2000 mg calcium citrate a day, and we can only absorb about 500 mg at a time. I get Natures Bounty B-12 at CVS. Make sure it is taken sublingually (be sure to check the label). You'll need 500 mcg a day. Depending on your stage of life you may, or may not need to supplement iron. Check with your Doc on this. I also had Gas-X (gas), Colace(stool softener), Senokot-S (laxative) and Bendryl (in case of an allergic reaction to any meds) on hand. I stocked up on bandages for my incision. Since I had an open surgery, live alone and recently relocated here, I didn't have a really huge support system, so I made sure to try to have whatever I needed on hand when I got home.
Your surgeon should have given you a list of foods of what you can eat various stages. If not, ask for one. During the soft stage I liked ricotta cheese with sauce and melted cheese on top. I liked re-fried beans with melted cheese and taco sauce. SF pudding is aways a favorite of mine, you can add a little bit of protein to boost your numbers up to it s well. I liked scrambled Eggbeaters with cheese, Mashed bananas, unsweetened apple sauce, I'd puree soups too. I stocked up on baby food, but ate very little of it. A few were kind of good though. I wasn't able to get enough protein at that stage from just foods, so I depended on protein shakes. It took me a while to get all my fluids in then too, so I was busy drinking when I could.Two of my favorite websites are http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ and http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com/ Both have great recipe's for all stages.
Other things I did were: I bought more small plastic containers to store leftovers in, and to use in my lunch pack. I bought re-freezable gel packs for my lunch pack too. Some people have a hard time using a straw, but I found it to be a lifesaver in me getting in my fluids, so I found a really cool water bottle with built in straw at CVS. I bought plastic pill pouches at Walgreen's, and keep my spare Calcium in them in my pocket during the work day. I have a pill holder for each day of the week, and set them up for morning and night, in a place I know I always go, so I don't forget to take my vitamins and supplements. I like having a small personal blender that has several cups versus the big one because it was just too much to clean several times a day. Oh, and you might want to treat yourself to NEW Sneakers!
I put my doctors number and pharmacy in a prominent place on my bulletin board in my den, so I would be able to find them easily if needed when I got home.
I have a cat, so I stocked up on food and litter because I knew it would be too heavy post op. I also set up a disposable can with lid for cat cleanup until I could lift more than 5 lbs.
I gave the house a nice thorough cleaning, signed up for extra cable channels, and bought books (my bathroom puzzle book came in handy more than once) , I just made sure I had all the luxuries a gal would want because I knew food was not going to be my comfort again.
I know this was a lot, and I hope it helps. One last thing that I think it most important of all is to be kind, and patient with yourself.
Best Wishes for Success!
Kat
I was so busy pre-op that before I knew it, the day arrived, I really didn't have much free time to stress out. On the occasions that I did stress, I knew enough people who had the surgery, that I was comforted in the fact that they all would do it again. I also knew that I was miserable with the way I was feeling, and nothing I had done before worked long term, so I had to do something different because it was affecting my quality of life. I figured even if the worst happened during surgery, it was going to happen if I didn't lose weight, so I may as well risk it all, and try to make my life better. So I guess the short answer is, I kept busy, and I was more scared of where I was headed if I didn't have the WLS than if I did, so that eased any anxiety.
Getting protein samples is a great idea vs the big containers. It's good you're aware that your taste can change after surgery. Some folks become lactose intolerant, so you might want to explore some that aren't mixed with milk, or try milk alternatives. Vitalady is a great site because she has lots of samples to choose from. https://vitalady.com/
Centrum Silver comes in chewables, and whole tablets. I did chewables until I could swallow them whole easily. Remember 2 a day. I order my calcium on-line, and there are so many varieties, just make sure it's Calcium Citrate. Make SURE you read on the label how many doses equals the amount you need in a day.The ASMBS says we need 1500-2000 mg calcium citrate a day, and we can only absorb about 500 mg at a time. I get Natures Bounty B-12 at CVS. Make sure it is taken sublingually (be sure to check the label). You'll need 500 mcg a day. Depending on your stage of life you may, or may not need to supplement iron. Check with your Doc on this. I also had Gas-X (gas), Colace(stool softener), Senokot-S (laxative) and Bendryl (in case of an allergic reaction to any meds) on hand. I stocked up on bandages for my incision. Since I had an open surgery, live alone and recently relocated here, I didn't have a really huge support system, so I made sure to try to have whatever I needed on hand when I got home.
Your surgeon should have given you a list of foods of what you can eat various stages. If not, ask for one. During the soft stage I liked ricotta cheese with sauce and melted cheese on top. I liked re-fried beans with melted cheese and taco sauce. SF pudding is aways a favorite of mine, you can add a little bit of protein to boost your numbers up to it s well. I liked scrambled Eggbeaters with cheese, Mashed bananas, unsweetened apple sauce, I'd puree soups too. I stocked up on baby food, but ate very little of it. A few were kind of good though. I wasn't able to get enough protein at that stage from just foods, so I depended on protein shakes. It took me a while to get all my fluids in then too, so I was busy drinking when I could.Two of my favorite websites are http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ and http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com/ Both have great recipe's for all stages.
Other things I did were: I bought more small plastic containers to store leftovers in, and to use in my lunch pack. I bought re-freezable gel packs for my lunch pack too. Some people have a hard time using a straw, but I found it to be a lifesaver in me getting in my fluids, so I found a really cool water bottle with built in straw at CVS. I bought plastic pill pouches at Walgreen's, and keep my spare Calcium in them in my pocket during the work day. I have a pill holder for each day of the week, and set them up for morning and night, in a place I know I always go, so I don't forget to take my vitamins and supplements. I like having a small personal blender that has several cups versus the big one because it was just too much to clean several times a day. Oh, and you might want to treat yourself to NEW Sneakers!
I put my doctors number and pharmacy in a prominent place on my bulletin board in my den, so I would be able to find them easily if needed when I got home.
I have a cat, so I stocked up on food and litter because I knew it would be too heavy post op. I also set up a disposable can with lid for cat cleanup until I could lift more than 5 lbs.
I gave the house a nice thorough cleaning, signed up for extra cable channels, and bought books (my bathroom puzzle book came in handy more than once) , I just made sure I had all the luxuries a gal would want because I knew food was not going to be my comfort again.
I know this was a lot, and I hope it helps. One last thing that I think it most important of all is to be kind, and patient with yourself.
Best Wishes for Success!
Kat
I really wish I could rate posts in stars, because this one is brilliant.
Way to be prepared, and what a good layout of basic ideas for us pre-ops. Well said. :)
Way to be prepared, and what a good layout of basic ideas for us pre-ops. Well said. :)
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Check out my video blog! www.youtube.com/user/HappilyShrinking/videos
Highest weight: 269. Surgery weight: 233. Goal weight: 144, and then we'll see..
Check out my video blog! www.youtube.com/user/HappilyShrinking/videos
Highest weight: 269. Surgery weight: 233. Goal weight: 144, and then we'll see..
I would also add that sugar-free popcicles came in handy the first few weeks, for me. I took my own pillow to the hospital, and my C-PAP. I also had a nice robe to throw on over my hospital gown, so that I could walk as often as possible, pushing my little IV bottle around the halls with me. I took my NANO for music. I was very thankful to have my chapstick with me the day after surgery, as my lips were very dry.
You are going to do GREAT!
You are going to do GREAT!
"We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same...." - Don Juan Matus
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