Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Looking For Some Post-Surgery Advice



Recommended Posts

Hi there! I have been researching, reading blogs, talking to support people...trying to get ready for my Feb 15th surgery! I start my pre-op diet Wednesday.

My question to all you successful bandsters is: What should I get/do before the surgery that I will want/need right after?

I have 2 weeks of shakes for post-op (just like the 2 weeks pre-op) and I bought sugar-free popsicles. Basically, the rest of my refrigerator is empty (I live alone).

I did buy some tylenol today...as I was a fan of Advil and Aleve.

Any hints? Tips? Things you wish someone would have told you?

Thanks! Getting super excited teeth_smile.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had Protein Shakes, Protein Soup (terrible tasting I may add!) and sugar free popsicles. I did like to freeze the shakes because I am an eater not a drinker! Other than that, I think I was good to go. I did like wearing the support band they gave me, I know others who had lapband and didn't get one. I had a postop dr visit on day 12 and she let me start eating soft foods that day. I made it through the 12 days, but I was dying for some food!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

im being banded tmwr i bought broth jell-o popsciles broth Soup lots of crystal lite,protein powder for shakes my Dr.gave me a shopping list so it helped alot also today i had Breakfast an now all liquids till midnite no pre-op diet just south beach...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Make Soup and freeze it.

You very quickly get tired of everything you eat being sweet.

Soups taste like real food and are more satisfying than Jello and shakes. They also helped resolve my nausea.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi there! I have been researching, reading blogs, talking to support people...trying to get ready for my Feb 15th surgery! I start my pre-op diet Wednesday.

My question to all you successful bandsters is: What should I get/do before the surgery that I will want/need right after?

I have 2 weeks of shakes for post-op (just like the 2 weeks pre-op) and I bought sugar-free popsicles. Basically, the rest of my refrigerator is empty (I live alone).

I did buy some tylenol today...as I was a fan of Advil and Aleve.

Any hints? Tips? Things you wish someone would have told you?

Thanks! Getting super excited teeth_smile.gif

Not to buy all the ish I did! LOL! I didn't use the gas strips, Jello, pudding, or those expensive, nasty Protein shots. Just stick to the basics.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Have your liquid pain med filled before surgery. Soup, sf Jello, ff cool whip is good on the jello. SF fudgesicles, grits, oatmeal, sf pudding. I could have full liquids as long as they could be swallowed without chewing. So make grits, oatmeal, cream of wheat very thin. If V-8 soup is available in your area it is delish. Good luck and happy banding!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

All of these food suggestions are great, but I have some non-food suggestions for you as well...

Make sure you have some good "loungy" pants-like track pants or sweats. Something with a draw-string waist that will be non-irritating on your incisions. I also suggest a sports bra and slip-on shoes. That was my big mistake...I wore tennis shoes, thinking I would want something comfortable for when I was discharged...my hubby had to put them back on for me!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wore my PJ bottoms and a t-shirt, no bra cause I didn't care, I wore a jacket anyway. Houseshoes with a hard sole and took a throw pillow (a small pillow of any type will work) to hold against your incisions when you have to start moving. Good Luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What saved me the first few days was a recliner, if you don't have one maybe borrow one. I couldn't lie flat and the recliner was a real pain saver. The pillow to hold to your abdomen is a really good thing. I'm a nurse so I will tell you to walk immediately, it really helps the gas pain and it helps you feel better faster. Also, take deep breaths and cough for the first couple days to keep your lungs clear, all of this helped me. I was banded last Thursday 1/26 and am returning to work tomorrow. I do sit at a desk (supervisor) so that helps but get up and move asap...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

extra pillows to prop you up at night. i couldnt sleep flat for the first couple of night. i am single but i had friends stay with me the first feww night cuz i needed help getting in a out of bed.

gas strips did nuthn for me. but all the other advice is good

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×