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I am scheduled to be banded next Tuesday and would love it if you all could share what exactly you found you used/needed following your surgery. Please include things like gas x or anything else you can think of. I read bits and pieces here and there but would love a comprehensive list all in one place. Thanks.

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No gasx suggested or used but I certainly appreciated the TLC from my DH. Make sure you have a supportive person around for the first couple of days just to help out - more emotionally than physically.

And have loose waist banded trousers/track pants for wearing home.

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I have heard that gas x is a life saver

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Gas-x strips are helpful. Have your Protein shakes ready and make sure your blender or food processor is in working order. I found liquid tylenol helpful for when I wasn't feeling enough pain for the liquid vicodin, but still had some discomfort. A pill crusher is a help if you have prescription meds that can be smashed to take. My nutritionist also wanted me to have a chewable or liquid Multivitamin, as well as a chewable or liquid calcium+D supplement to take daily.

I also wanted to have things to do to keep my busy while I couldn't move around much (other than stare at the TV :P ) so I had a crossword puzzle book, a couple of new books to read, and (of course) my iPad. :)

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Lounge/Pajama pants that are loose and comfortable

Liquid tylenol (I too only used the liquid oxy? I got filled at the pharmacy for just the first 2-3 days), Protein shakes (costco premier nutrition are pre packaged, tasty and portable)

Water cup (you'll probably get one at the hospital)

Crossword puzzle book/Suduko, etc.

Books/Magazines.

I just felt groggy and tired when I got home from the hospital so I slept for the first 8 hrs or so. My husband checked on me every couple of hours and made me get up and walk around and get the blood flowing. Slow of course, but moving. The next morning, I felt ok but my belly was sore. I used the prescription pain medicine but very much in moderation. I was worried it would make me nasuaus and the LAST thing I wanted to do was throw up! I didn't cough or even clear my throat for 3 days! Sip your Water, tea, crystal light...but stay hydrated.

Good Luck!

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heating pad for the stomach and back for the gas pains - gas x does not touch the gas - because it's not intenstinal it's in the torso from surgery - the heating pad and liquid pain killers were the only thing that worked for me - not even walking although it's important to walk for a lot other reasons. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU - YOU WILL DO GREAT!!!!!tongue.png

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liquid benedryl actually helps a bit with settling your stomach the first few days... phenergan is a life saver, and I suspect your doc will give you a few or Rx to go home with. You'll have to crush them, but mix with a little sugar free fruit drink, and it's no problem. I mowed through some sugar free popcicles and like the EAS Advantage rich dark chocolate shake ~$5 for 4 at most groceries and Target. When tired of sweet/fruity, I had some beef consomme or salty chicken broth. Sugar free Jello is a life saver. I'm going to admit it... I even made tiny jello shot cups with my liquid lortab. ohmy.png I graduated from college almost 15 years ago, but it was still pretty fun!

My surgery was gastric plication and lap band, so I was under for a while, and the gas pain was a killer! It's a referred pain in the shoulders area, since it's coming from near your upper stomach and diaphragm after your abdomen was full of gas. It's the same principal as your left arm hurting when you're having a heart attack. I went back/forth between walking around the house and curling up under a big pile of blankets. I kept a damp cloth near for nausea which seemed to help knock it out quickly. Keep sipping something even if you're not thirsty or don't want anything. I was home alone for the first few days but my bff kept texting drink and meds and walk reminders. It actually helped that someone remembered I was alive but suffering, even if I wanted to throw the phone every time it woke me up!

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heating pad definitely and sugar free Jello and sugar free sweets .. skimmed milk, 0% greek yoghurt, Soup and broth.< /p>

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i couldnt eat the liquid chicken or beef broth, it was way too salty, but i loved the broth from campbells chicken noodle Soup or veg beef soup. sugar free pudding cups frozen taste just like ice cream ! sf Jello and liquid tylenol because the stuff they give you is beyond nasty. keep a bottle of Water and a roll of lifesavers in the car for the ride home. i had the worst cottonmouth after surgery that even ice chips couldnt get rid of. a small container in case you throw up or feel nauseous on the ride home. i was banded dec 13th, it was a breeze , i was at the hosp at 6am and out at 11am.i rested on the couch for 2 day and then was so bored by the 3rd day i went and did a little xmas shopping. down 17 lbs so far- feel great ! good luck !

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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