Question:
SURGERY DATE IS DEC. 4TH. WHAT DO I NEED TO BUY?
WHAT DO I REALLY NEED ON HAND TO COME HOME TO? IM LOOKING FOR A LIST OF THE FIRST 2-3 WEEKS WORTH OF STUFF AFTER SURGERY. PROTEINS, LIQUIDS, MEASUREING CONTAINERS, VITAMINS, BANDAGES, WOUND OITMENT ETC? I KNOW EVERYONE IS GONNA HAVE A DIFFERNT LIST AND PEOPLE ARE DIFFERNT AND HAVE DIFFERNT NEEDS BUT I GOTTA START SOMEWHERE. I JUST DONT WANT TO WORRY ABOUT NEEDING SOMETHING LAST MINUTE. OR SENDING MY WIFE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. PLEASE HELP! :o) — PHATBOY (posted on November 14, 2006)
November 14, 2006
As best as I can remember (my surgery was 4 years ago,) I needed nothing
for wound care. I did wash with Dove soap because Dove is so pure without
irritating addatives. After the wounds have healed (not before) you may
use Vitamin E oil which will lessen scar tissue. If you use before the
wound has healed completely, the oil provides an environment for bacteria
to grow -- not good!
I was on a liquid protein diet for two weeks post-op. So not sure what to
tell you here about food stuffs. Water, water and more water. Three
bottles of water sounds like quite a bit, but it is absolutely necessary.
The biggest concern is having someone to help and it sounds as if you have
that covered. I was able to do quite a bit. I had my surgery the week
before Thanksgiving and went Christmas shopping the week after
Thanksgiving. It should be noted here that I'm nuts and wouldn't recommend
anyone follow my lead. I do think the more you are willing to do, the
quicker you get back to normal. Your body lets you know when you need to
rest, and you should rest. Remember you have had major surgery.
Also, I do not know if you are having an open procedure. If so, you will
need to rest and recouperate. I had only four small incisions, so my
recovery was quicker.
Good luck to you, and congratulations -- you have most probably just saved
your own life -- and what a life lies ahead!
Shari Donoho
[email protected]
— sby949
November 14, 2006
Hi J.R. First of all, CONGRATS on your upcoming surgery! Second of all,
b-r-e-a-t-h-e... :) You're gonna be just fine. I had surgery on 4/11/03,
and here's what I used the most: 1) liquid tylenol for pain; 2) crystal
light for when i got sick of plain water; 3) some pre-mixed protein shakes
- i really like the chocolate EAS brand (you can get them at the market or
Wal-Mart); 4) protein powder for shakes; 5) 2% milk (for when i couldn't
face another shake); and 6) chicken broth. In the first couple of weeks,
water and protein are the most important, so no need to stock up on a bunch
of stuff you won't use, and no need to send your poor wife out in the
middle of the night. You'll be on the other side before you know it, so
just enjoy the ride! And again, congrats on your life-affirming decision
to have surgery! All the best, Dawn H. Lap RNY 4/11/03 296/204/(on my way
to 165!)
— momstah
November 14, 2006
I found I had become lactose intolorance, so I think Achievone is great. I
still use it over any other protein shake. I would buy a box of sugar free
popsicles. They are great if you get sick to your stomach. You can get
adult chewable vitamins now. Either one specialized for bariatric patients
or centrum makes an adult chewable. B12 under the tongue - GNC has a good
tasting one. Ocean spray makes a great tasting diet cranberry juice. I also
like Lipton diet green tea in the 16 oz bottle. Good luck.
— Loretta D.
November 14, 2006
Hi J.R. - I had lap RNY 9/21/06 - Don't stock up!!! You won't eat much at
first and you'll most likely be on liquids for the first 2 weeks. I had
chicken broth, liquid protein drink (EAS), sf popsicles, applesauce and
jello. That's about all I ate at first. As far as your wounds go - I
didn't need anything. I didn't need pain meds and my 5 incisions were
covered with steri-strips. I just couldn't bath for 4-6 weeks. Had to
shower instead. I was up and moving the day I came home from the hospital
and was only in the hospital for 1 day. So sit back, relax, and soon you
will be on the loser's bench. WELCOME!!! and Good luck!
— Carol A.
November 14, 2006
HI JR..... I had my surgery on 10/31, so everything is fresh in my head....
(I have lost 17lbs so far !!!) Anyway, this is about you, not me. But I
will have to use me as a reference... this is what I had and am still
using, will go into diet in a sec...so here it goes...
Cooking/Eating equipment: measuring cups/spoons; small custard cups or
small "ingredient bowls"-you know the kind that the chefs
use-they make a small amt looker bigger; 4-cup measuring cup for cooking
cream of wheat (I cook a couple of batches at a time, so that I have it for
the next morning); food scale - not needed immediately, but will need once
you are on stage III and must weight meat & food processor and/or
blender, storage bowls.
Suppliments/vitamins: Protein powder supplement (I used Any Whey - any
drug store); multi-vitamin - children's chewable - 2 daily; chewable
Vitamin C -helps with healing; Tylenol liquid / quick dissolve tabs - only
get a few doses out of container due to adult strength needed from
children's dosage); Vitamin B12 - sublingual (under tongue)- use once
weekly; Biotin capsules - help slow down / prevent hair loss; Gas X
chewables or quick dissolve; pill crusher/splitter for meds that you may
still have to take.
Protein Shakes / Bars: I was told no chewy bars - you want the kind that
are like rice crispy treats - easier to digest. Shakes (I use Atkins = low
in sugar, high in protein) if you choose some other brand be sure that it
is less than 200 calories and less than 12 g carb.
Bandages: you can ask for a couple 4x4s and tape to go home with for when
the drain site may drain a little more. After that you can use a bandage.
Once it doesn't drain anymore, allow to air dry and scab up. Your steri
strips will follow off on their own.
Foods: Cream of wheat; sugar substitute; yogurt - smooth without fruit
chunks = yoplait light; sugar-free/fat-free instant puddings - any flavor;
Lactaid milk; creamed soups; water; and crystal light.
Misc: camera (digital or disposable); measuring tape; scale - you will use
these to document your weight loss progress. Hint: take your photos in
front of the same object (door/wall, etc, so you have a reference point for
comparison)
Now when I first got home, I was using the cream of wheat (1/2 cup),
yogurt (1/2cup) and pudding for breakfast (1/4 cup) and it would take me
about 30-45 min to eat. I eat slowly, usually have the paper, book, etc
and dip my spoon in and pull it out and whatever sticks to it is my bite.
I have found that this helps me eat slower and it easier on my stomach.
For lunch: I had 1/2 cup creamed soup, 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/4 cup pudding =
same for dinner.
After about 10days, I ate a couple of melba rounds and chewed, chewed
and chewed some more until it was mush. It felt so good to eat something
that you had to chew. That was stage II. Stage III, which I am currently
on, I have tried some soups that I usually run really quick through the
blender. I have tried fish - just took very small bites and chew, chew and
chew some more, but, man was it good. Anyway, hope this helps out. You
should get a food list from the dietician that you saw during the approval
process and from the dietician you will see on your preop visits at the
hospital. They will also come around while you are still in the hospital,
so if you have any questions you can ask .... make a list. so good luck
and congrats on your upcoming surgery....
— Kari_K
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