I'm in my 4th year, maintaining a normal weight for the first time in my life, and trying to pay if forward. I've posted this list before, but wanted to make it easier to find for newcomers.

Here's a list of Things to Stock Up on Before the Day of Surgery. But please be sure to follow your doctor's instructions, your doctor may have specific items to include or exclude.

• Protein shakes, and protein powders (taste–test and find the ones you like best before stocking up).
  
• Water
  
• broth and other clear Soups
  
• Clear, no-sugar added juices
  
• sugar-free non caloric beverages (NO carbonated beverages)
  
• Light sports drinks
  
• Sugar-free popsicles
  
• Sugar-free Jello
  
• Creamy soups
  
• Applesauce of sugar-free pudding cups (if, and ONLY if your doctor permits you to take your medications with a spoonful of these)
  
• Sugar-free hot cocoa
  
• Decaf and herbal teas
  
• Decaf coffee
  
• Chewable Vitamins
  
• Small 2-4 oz plastic cups
  
• A strainer (for removing chunks from creamy soups)
  

BTW, I intentionally didn't include anything about prescription or non-prescription meds, since you need to work that out with your doctor. It's also not a bad idea to have adult liquid tylenol - but talk to your doctor; you don't want to be taking tylenol with your prescription pain meds.

Also on your way on the day of surgery, bring your own pillow (for comfort if you are staying over night, and to hold on the way home), and slip on shoes if you can.

If you find this useful, you can find more on my blog at Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story.

Good luck on your journey!

Edited February 26, 201016 yr by atgoalgal
important point added

Thank you so much for your post! I am going in for surgery on Tuesday, March 2nd and with it getting near the nd of my waiting, I know my journey is just beginning. It was nice to hear of someone who is happy and has been successful with it, even four years later. I will look into stocking my fridge and cabinets!

Thank you so much for your post! I am going in for surgery on Tuesday, March 2nd and with it getting near the nd of my waiting, I know my journey is just beginning. It was nice to hear of someone who is happy and has been successful with it, even four years later. I will look into stocking my fridge and cabinets!

I'll be thinking of you next Tuesday. Glad to help. When I was banded there weren't a lot of places to go to get useful information, or learn from people who had long-term experience with the band. I'm hoping to make the journey easier for people like you. You may also want to check out my blog - lot's of real life expderiences posted there and also download the interview 7 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before Lap-Band surgery. Stay in touch.

Edited February 26, 201016 yr by atgoalgal
added more

Sugar-free hard candies like lifesavers. :eek:

My suggestion would be to wait until you've had the meeting with your nutritionist/dietitian that delineates what your doctor recommends for your postop diet. Many of the things on Gloria's (wonderful and very comprehensive) list were completely vetoed by my doctor.

(I think the list is probably aligned with what most doctors/dietitians recommend; I just hate to think of someone stocking a pantry, only to find out that some of the items are verboten.)

My surgeon encourages advancing diet to pureed Protein on Day Three. Creamy soups, juices, and so on were nixed from the outset. I was on clear (and noncaloric) liquids for 2 days, then on pureed protein in miniscule amounts. So, here's my list. It's very short!

* clear broths

* herbal tea

* easily puree-able Proteins (chicken, ground beef, tuna, etc.)

* fat-free refried Beans

* protein powders (I like Inspire from bariatriceating.com; the Dutch chocolate Cake is awesome, and the Pure unflavored protein isolate is great added to things like broth, yogurt...whatever you want to add a jolt of protein to)

*Crystal Light

* sugar-free Popsicles

* sugar-free Jello

*vitamins

*Gas-X

* lip balm--I was SO dry after anesthesia

* Sigg bottles with sports caps (I have one with me constantly)

*funnel (for adding fruit-flavored protein, Crystal Light, and FiberSure to Water bottle without getting powder all over the universe)

* FiberSure (or generic inulin fiber; it not only helps with regularity, but it's also a prebiotic, which helps Probiotics do their good thing in the gut)

* 4 oz. Rubbermaid storage containers

* tiny prep bowls -- just the right size for my servings

My suggestion would be to wait until you've had the meeting with your nutritionist/dietitian that delineates what your doctor recommends for your postop diet. Many of the things on Gloria's (wonderful and very comprehensive) list were completely vetoed by my doctor.

(I think the list is probably aligned with what most doctors/dietitians recommend; I just hate to think of someone stocking a pantry, only to find out that some of the items are verboten.)

My surgeon encourages advancing diet to pureed Protein on Day Three. Creamy soups, juices, and so on were nixed from the outset. I was on clear (and noncaloric) liquids for 2 days, then on pureed protein in miniscule amounts. So, here's my list. It's very short!

* clear broths

* herbal tea

* easily puree-able Proteins (chicken, ground beef, tuna, etc.)

* fat-free refried Beans

* protein powders (I like Inspire from bariatriceating.com; the Dutch chocolate Cake is awesome, and the Pure unflavored protein isolate is great added to things like broth, yogurt...whatever you want to add a jolt of protein to)

*Crystal Light

* sugar-free Popsicles

* sugar-free Jello

*vitamins

*Gas-X

* lip balm--I was SO dry after anesthesia

* Sigg bottles with sports caps (I have one with me constantly)

*funnel (for adding fruit-flavored protein, Crystal Light, and FiberSure to Water bottle without getting powder all over the universe)

* FiberSure (or generic inulin fiber; it not only helps with regularity, but it's also a prebiotic, which helps probiotics do their good thing in the gut)

* 4 oz. Rubbermaid storage containers

* tiny prep bowls -- just the right size for my servings

Thanks Betsy. It's the first time I heard that. Thanks for sharing. And for everyone who reads this thread, and anything on these boards, please always check with your doctor and make sure you are following his or her instuctions.