Walk me through the first month after surgery

My surgery's set for 10/1 and I'm hopeful for the long term, but it's the unknown of the first few months that are scaring me to death - particularly what I'll need to eat to make sure that I get proper nutrition.  Will someone walk me through that first month, or whatever a good time period is?  What do I need to make sure I have in the house?  Every list I see, and the one I'm sure I'll get at my pre-op nutrition class, talks about clear liquids, sugar free jello ... Am I adding protein powder to those?  How am I getting my protein?  What are the best shakes?  Where do I get them?  

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!  We can not wait to hear from you post-op.  As you are gearing up for surgery visit jour Articles page, you can read up on may different areas of Wls, life after Wls, managing your post-op life.  There are dozens of articles that can help you navigate your journey!  Best Wishes!!

http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/

Here is some additional great information!

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/life-after-roux-en-y-g astric-bypass-surgery.html

In my program with Dr Keith Kim we were given a book with all of that in it. I use whey isolate 100% 60g protein and 5 gram carbs.

From the GNC store.

Almost every surgeon on the face of the planet seems to have a different post-op eating plan (ranging from four weeks of liquids to starting soft food 3 days after surgery), so I am afraid that no one can really answer your question unless they had surgery with your surgeon.  Even if they had the same surgeon, people's experiences post-op can vary widely... some people get sick on everything it seems and some people can eat anything without getting sick.  I would suggest contacting your surgeon's office and asking if you can get their post-op materials before the nutrition class so you can review it beforehand.

There is no "best" shake.  It is whatever you can stand the taste, smell, and texture of!  Even if a dozen people love something, you may hate it.  Get lots of samples so you don;t invest a lot of money in a large tub of something you cannot drink. Many of the manufacturers (Chike, Unjury, Syntrax, Jay Robb)  have sample packs available on their website and Vitamin Shoppe carries some individual packages as well.  Your hospital gift shop may also carry some.  Be sure to try some of the fruity nectar shakes that are "clear" in addition to the milky ones.  DO NOT< however, waste your money on the protein "bullets" (in a giant test-tube looking container) unless it is called "Yes Whey" because all of the others are made from collagen protein which you cannot absorb (and don;t be fooled by one called "New Whey" because it is still primarily collagen.

Lora

very helpful!  thanks for the information

I bought Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies and really enjoyed it.

Your tastes may change after surgery, so do not worry about stocking up on a shake now.

The Vitamin Shoppe in my are with do a shake taste test.

Unjury was about all I could tolerate - the chocolate or the Syntrax Nectar Unflavored.  Once I could eat my protein I gave up shakes.

Do you very best at staying hydrated above all else.  Drink drink drink and then when you think you aren't thirsty drink some more.

Good luck!!

Here is a link that has different samples for 1.95 and lots of flavors to choose from:

http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein -powder-samples-1-serving.html

My surgeon said for the first seven days will be protein shakes and liquids, the next 2-3 weeks (depending on how well I am doing with getting it down) I will be on pureed and then the 4-5 week soft food and week 6 will be on solid foods. But as others have said this really just depends on your surgeon. I would advise a good stock of protein powder and other sources of protein like chicken soup that they have at the surgeon's office (most of them)