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I copied and pasted the list just in case the url didn't work. I didn't need any of the sterile 4x4's since I was glued. I did get some liquid benadryl for itching which sometimes happens with the pain meds. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/post-op-checklists-things-hav-before-surgery-14814/ Here's a list our support group came up with - Pre-Surgery Shopping List - by LBSG Patients Here's a list that some of the patients suggested at some of our support group meetings after their surgeries. It’s a list of things that they wish they had before the surgery but didn't think of till later. Remember this is from the PATIENTS - if you have questions or are in doubt - PLEASE call the office and leave a message for the Dietitian. Feel free to send me your suggestions to add to our list. Hope these suggestions are helpful. • Popsicles (SF as needed) • Crystal Light • Jello (sugar free as needed) • Gatorade • Bouillon • Bottled Water – some like Propel, Fruit 2-0, or plain • Cream of Wheat • creamy Soups • applesauce • yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit • Ensure, Boost, Glucerna - or whatever Protein drink the Dietitian asked you to drink based on your history • chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed) • Protein powder for shakes • frozen fruits for Protein Shakes • soups & broths • liquid Tylenol • liquid Gas-X or Phazyme • heating pad • "Imagine" Soups - in cartons. (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbell’s soups.) • chicken – cook before surgery, and save the broth, and freeze it in very small containers. Less sodium than store brands, if you have a salt problem. • Check if your medications are “crushable” (able to be crushed without causing problem with effectiveness) - Nancy • Soup-at-Hand - soups - for creamy stage - great "comfort food" • Small pudding cups (SF/FF) or yogurt - I would take a spoonful to get my meds to slide down easier - Nancy • Pill cutter • Chewable Vitamins • Tylenol or Motrin on hand. Sometimes all I needed was something just to take the edge off instead of Vicodin. Also, one of my incisions was irritated from my bra. Bandaids or gauze and tape were a must for me. Have plenty of Soup on hand. Something warm always makes you feel better - Cindy • Chicken – cook before surgery, and save the broth, and freeze it in very small containers. Less sodium than store brands, if you have a salt problem - Toni • Post-operatively I wished I had liquid Tylenol or Motrin on hand. Sometimes all I needed was something just to take the edge off instead of Vicodin. Also, one of my incisions was irritated from my bra. Bandaids or gauze and tape were a must for me. Have plenty of soup on hand. Something warm always makes you feel better. Hope these suggestions are helpful - Del • I would have wanted my meds right away. I had a terrible time finding the meds in a liquid form. Either check with the pharmacy beforehand to see if they stock them or if possible have the Dr. order them one-day pre-op so that you will have them ready when you return home. – Cindy • get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital • make sure you have lots of fluids to drink afterwards - and for when you go back to work • buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery __________________ Nancy* Banded: 9/24/04

I, too, was banded on the 28th. It was really rough at first with the pain, but each day has gotten better and today, I did 1.5 miles on the treadmill. The first 3 days, I used gas-x strips, which I think really helped. I feel pretty much back to normal now, with just a tiny bit of discomfort at the port site. My dr put me on soft foods starting 7/1, and I have tolerated them very well. I typicall eat hb egg with turkey sausage and then chicken or fish for my other meals. (all meals are protein only, with soft cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt also being options) A good tip I learned from the nutritionist should your food feel stuck is to swallow a bite of yogurt. She says some even eat a couple of bites at the beginning of their meal to coat the esophagus. I believe that my stomach is no longer swollen inside so there really is no restriction, and basically I'm "dieting" using my own willpower for the next month till I get my fill. I'm down 10.5 pounds in a week and another 7 post op for a 17.5 total. I'm liking that, but I must admit the first few days were so hard I was wondering if I'd made a mistake. I don't think that way anymore. The way our psychologist explained it yesterday is that there are 3 stages, in stage one (prefill) you are a dieter, stage two (losing weight) you are a weight manager and stage 3 (goal) you are a health manager. Makes sense to me and makes it easier to navigate through these testy waters right now!

hey shelly, i'm impressed that you're getting so much Protein in so soon. i'm still on Clear Liquids, and there's only so much broth and protein Water i can have. i get really tired in the afternoons but i hope that will change once i start having Soups, Protein shakes and yogurt in the next couple of days. the first few days were fairly tolerable... not too much shoulder pain or gas. but today, i feel so gassy and my stomach has gotten really bloated. thankfully i still have little shoulder pain! the gas and bloating makes me feel like i'm pregnant. walking and gas x aren't helping like they used to. i hope this will pass soon!!!

I lived on yogurt and scrambled eggs. Also, canned tuna crumbled very fine with mayo. There was no way I could stomach pureed meat. Bleck!

@ sue, I will ask my nutritionist tomorrow, I'm scheduled for my one week check up @Oz I have a protien powder, that says Whey protein isolate, but it's still making me extremely, painfully gassy, I don't understand it though, because I have been eating some Greek yogurt to help, and as long as I take a lactaid tablet it hasn't bothered me just yet, that's what I've been eating today, alternating yogurt, with water, and beef broth, so far I still feel fine. I think I may just have to try soy powder with some almond milk. Thanks you all for your help, I'll be so glad when this stage is over....

When I first wake up I drink 2 cups of Water. That usually takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much time I have. After that, I always have a Protein shake (Premier chocolate or Atkins Cafe Caramel) that takes about 15 minutes. 2 hours later, I have greek yogurt and that can take about 8 to 12 minutes to eat. 2 to 3 hours after that, I have my lunch which is usually cheese and deli meat like turkey pepperoni. I will eat 17 turkey pepperoni slices and maybe 5 colby cheese cubes. That can take about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the day. For dinner, I'm not usually hungry so I just drink a glass of milk or have a popsicle.

Not to be rude, but as I stated in my post, everything was blended to to a runny liquid state using water or almond milk. My doctor is the one who suggested to use Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. As long as you can drink it through a straw, it is allowed on a full liquid diet. But I don't use a straw.

The shakiness could also be low blood sugar due to low calories. It will get better! I promise! Something with carbs like a bit of yogurt or cottage cheese will help, once you are able to eat it. I also experienced low blood pressure, and my doc. dropped my BP meds 2 weeks after surgery.

Any type of fish, chicken breast with fat free gravy, cream of mushroom soup or low sugar BBQ sauce, cottage cheese, yogurt, cooked carrots, ground beef with fat free beef gravy & mushrooms.

I just stocked up on a few the other day and walmart only had the single serve ones. Even those are too big for me I just cut them in about 1/2. I take 1 serving of the yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey, and a 1/4 cup of granola. I think I get about 24 grams of Protein and around 200 calories. That holds me over to lunch.

I am 10 days post op and for another week or so I am on a slip off the spoon diet, no lumps, bumps or chunks. So I have a couple tablespoons of malt o meal, yogurt, sugar free Jello, or broth once a day. I drink a lot of Water and one bottle of crystal light a day also. I only eat those couple tablespoons because I worry about only taking in less than 100 calories per day. I have no hunger pains at all, and my doctor said I probably won't for the first 3 weeks or so. Even without hunger pains I find that I want to eat out of habit, but I have recognized that it isn't hunger, it's habit. Good luck!

Hi Robyn! I'm on liquids right now so it's a lot of broths and strained Soup. I can also do yogurt, Jello and pudding along with popsicles too. My main source of Protein should be coming from the shakes - 2 servings a day. I've been able to drink a tad under that. I just picked up flavorless protein and added that to some soup and that did help to get extra protein in with the soup. I LOVE the timer idea, Lynda! I will be testing that out tomorrow. Nessa, I know EXACTLY what you mean about the water! I add crystal light to my Water to make it go down easier. I'm with you on working on this! Thanks, BoBann! I'm just so worried about doing something "wrong".

Fruit smoothies with gladiator protein powder from smoothie king help me get my protein in. I make them at home or you can buy them at smoothie king. Two scoops has 45 grams of protein! One smoothie can contain this. Also, sugar free Popsicles, like eddys fruit bars help get your liquids in. This is a learning curve and I am still learning myself. I was sleeved on August 28th. Now I am tolerating soft foods like canned chicken breast smushed up into chicken salad and Greek yogurt. Also, eggs, cheese, and refried beans are going down smooth. Applesauce is the only thing that I can't handle and I am burned out on Muscle milk and Atkins shakes. Good luck sleevers, the protein and water thing is a challenge every day!

Try to find shakes with higher protein count, especially if you can't drink as much. I know you said whey protein is making you nauseus but try. It's very important that you get that protein. Are you on soft stuff yet? Greek yogurt is high in protein. Met-rx protein plus has 51g per serving.

I'm now 8 days post op. Still have pain by two of my incisions but been walking over a mile each day. Today was crazy! Was up early to take my youngest to a 7 am dental appointment and walked while he was getting his teeth cleaned. Did some other errands and at 1 sat in the recliner by the fireplace and woke up at MIDNIGHT!!! Holy cow! Obviously I needed it but now 3 am and wide awake! Finding hot tea is my best friend. Tummy does NOT like cold things! Have yet to throw up, dump etc. no issues getting liquids in either but adding all the food ( that's a laugh!! 4 oz 3x a day?!?!) is more of a pain because I'm more interested in getting the Protein in. FYI- Dannon Greek yogurt has a banana cream and a toasted coconut that are unbelievably awesome!!!!! Have a great day all!!!

First thing in the morning I have coffee. I started back on it around week 3. About 4 oz. now I'm back up to 1 cup a day. I am a lover of coffee. But I also get in my water through the day. I don't restrict myself from much. I just plan for healthy foods and a daily treat. Those treats would be my coffee and a low sugar dessert like Dannon sugar free yogurt or sugar free jello, Popsicles, or even berries with some Splenda on them. Yum! I couldn't imagine life w/o a cup of coffee first thing.

My new favorite high protein is the Greek Yogurt! It comes in a variety of fat levels (non-fat, 2%, full fat, etc). The interesting this is that the non-fat varieties tend to have more protein! I am currently munching on Oikos brand Honey flavor Non-Fat greek Yogurt. 5.3 ounces for 13 grams of protein, no fat and 120 calories. Perfect for breakfast. I have also tried the blueberry. Also the Fage brand is good too.... just make sure to get the 2% or non-fat version. The full fat version has 12 grams of fat!! Craziness.

Wow - so much has happened since I was banded. I am taking notes and writing it all down! Kellymovingon, thanks for keeping up for me! You all are doing so wonderful! I was banded on 9/19 and had a problem with nausea. I am doing much better. Make sure to walk walk walk. That will help so much. I got to have yogurt this morning and it tasted so good! I have lost 12 pounds since last wednesday! I feel great! I hope you all have great success as well!

what are you folks eating?..im getting real sick of yogurt,pudding,jello and oatmeal..and water

Did you have all 5 shakes? I would usually recommend calling the surgeon's office but since it's Saturday that may not be possible. If you had all 5 shakes, I would eat an extra yogurt and/or shake. It is probably tempting to eat something that is not on your list. So it's up to you whether you want to strictly follow the diet. In reality, a lot of people cheat a little bit and it doesn't end up in a canceled surgery or anything. Heck, some people don't even have pre-ops. But if you do, try to have something like an egg or something that is just protein. Eggs, chicken, tuna, and skim or soy milk are allowed on my pre-op. We are here to support you whatever you decide! Shauna

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. Ok, so I'm on day 4 of my pre-op diet. I think my husband secretly hates me or something. The first day of my pre-op diet he took the kids out for frozen yogurt. Tonight he orders in pizza. What the hell is he trying to do to me? He's not been real thrilled about me having the procedure done, but this is just sadistic. On top of everything else, the liquid diet is doing nothing to help my IBS right now. I'm taking my meds for IBS but everything is cycling through me so fast and I keep having to go to the bathroom (not to pee). I think that part is more miserable than the diet itself.

my favorites during the soft foods stage were scrambled eggs (with cheese melted on top sometimes), peanut butter, chicken salad, hummus, yogurt, refried beans, other mushy beans

I'm 4 weeks and 5 days. Wednesday will be 5 weeks. The only thing I use it in is usually oatmeal/cream of wheat, plain Greek yogurt, decaf green tea or black tea. All I use is just half a packet of sweet n low or Splenda in each. I guess I should've added with the powerades, I have to dilute it half water half powerade. Still doesn't really make sense though. Also, sugar free pudding and jello upsets me. Sugar free creamsicles. Last night I bought a quest bar...I was craving peanut butter and regular PB is filled with fat so I had a TINY bite...I mean pea size bute...of a peanut butter supreme quest bar and YUCK. It tasted like artificial WAX. I will not be eating those. So as of today, I'm cutting out all SF "sweets" and sweetners and just going to drink/eat things the way they come.

Are you REALLY hungry, or just head hungry? And acid can also feel like hunger. A couple tbls of Maalox would completely cure my early "Hunger pains". Are you still in soft food/puréed stage? If so, try bean Soups or split pea Soup. I found these to be very filling. Concentrate on high protein/very low carb stuff. The ice cream, oatmeal with brown sugar and sweetened yogurt is just feeding your carb monster and making you more hungry. Cottage cheese, plain Greek yogurt, cheese sticks, puréed tuna fish or chicken salad, hummus, etc. would be more filling options that won't spike your blood sugar and make you feel hungry every hour. And the biggest thing to realize is that the liquids and soft foods will not fill you up anyways. It passes through your sleeve very quickly. This is the point you need to be mentally strong and stick with the plan. If you are hungry, commit to a 16-20oz Protein drink before snacking on something else. Once I was on regular food, I got very full and stayed full on dense Proteins (chicken, pork, beef, eggs). And no drinking 30-45 min after you eat since that will just flush out your sleeve and leave you feeling hungry again.

So far I'm able to eat anything but finds that sweets aren't as satisfying anymore, not that I'm jumping on that bandwagon this soon but like my husband wanted ice cream did I got one scoop of frozen yogurt and it was like ehhh. Wasn't worth my calorie intake. I used to be a carb and sweets gal. My new thing now is, when you get to the cheese center of your danish I'll take a little bite. Once again not planning on making this a habit but sometimes it's hard to sit and watch everyone else eat it but I know that I didn't have this surgery to eat desserts all day lol.