Hi Everyone,

I am trying to get all my suggestions strait. Is there one tip or idea that you took from the site that you are really happy you did? Maybe any suggestions on things you wish you knew before the surgery that you could share with us yet to be banded?

Thanks in advance....

Don't forget to take a small pillow for your stomach.

Yes, small pillow is a must! Also, make sure to take your pain meds on schedule for the first two or three days, whether you feel you need them or not- if you let pain happen, it's harder for the meds to make it go away again. Don't buy too much stuff to start, because if you don't use it you won't have stockpiles.

awesome, i wouldn't have known about the pillow... I can see that being VERY helpful on the ride home. I was wondering about that... I figured my dietitian will let me know food wise what I should have on hand for the first few days. thanks for the tips please keep ideas coming

Don't let what the scale says dictate your daily mood.

Make sure you have variety in your protein shakes.

I agree with the others...don't go overboard buying lots of food stuff. I spent money that I really didn't need to. Small pillow and a heating pad. The heating pad saved me several nights. sugar free popsicles were the only thing that I could get down at one point as I would always feel thirsty. Buy Milk of Magnesia because you are likely to be constipated after surgery. Make sure you have measuring cups and a food scale and I think smmrsue is right...don't get frustrated with the scale. As long as you are doing everything right you will loose.

Good luck!

Try the Protein Shakes now- don't wait until after surgery!

Walk as much as you can after surgery

Find some liquid Tylenol before the surgery - I quickly wanted to step down off the narcotics, but it took us a while to find it. The kid's stuff is nasty- try and find the adult version.

Don't buy a ton of one thing, but have a variety of things to try for food après surgery- I am surprised at the choices I am making, and the things that taste good.

Good luck!!!

weight at start of pre surgery diet - 304/current weight 293/surgery scheduled for April 10!

I agree with the liquid extra strength tylenol/Acetaminophen (500mg/5ml). You may have to get the pharmacist to order it for you but it is an over the counter medicine. You have to drink a larger amount if you get children's tylenol (160mg/5ml). My pharmacist thought it wasn't made in this strength and couldn't be ordered, but told me if I found the NDC # for this dose she could order it. I knew it was made so guess what I was able to give her? I gave her NDC #60258-050-08 and her supplier was able to get the extra strength (adult) acetaminophen liquid made by Cypress pharmaceuticals that arrived the next business day. It was $13 or $14 for an 8 oz bottle at Walgreens pharmacy. It doesn't taste better, but at least I only need 2 tsp for 1000mg dosage (equivalent to 2 extra strength tylenol) rather than 6 tsp of the children's to get 1000mg dosage.

I agree with the liquid extra strength tylenol/Acetaminophen (500mg/5ml). You may have to get the pharmacist to order it for you but it is an over the counter medicine. You have to drink a larger amount if you get children's tylenol (160mg/5ml). My pharmacist thought it wasn't made in this strength and couldn't be ordered, but told me if I found the NDC # for this dose she could order it. I knew it was made so guess what I was able to give her? I gave her NDC #60258-050-08 and her supplier was able to get the extra strength (adult) acetaminophen liquid made by Cypress pharmaceuticals that arrived the next business day. It was $13 or $14 for an 8 oz bottle at Walgreens pharmacy. It doesn't taste better, but at least I only need 2 tsp for 1000mg dosage (equivalent to 2 extra strength tylenol) rather than 6 tsp of the children's to get 1000mg dosage.

I remember someone posting on another forum that you can order it online at CVS. I checked and found this link:

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=&skuId=695051&productId=695051&navAction=jump&navCount=3#Prodtabdetail

I am going to check at a nearby CVS store to see if they stock it.

I would say a variety of things you will be allowed to eat the first week or two. Although you won't have much to eat, I have found that the thought of some of the things (again) turns my stomach a little.

Heating pad was my best friend! Popsicles were the next best thing!

The best advice, in my humble opinion, is exactly what Summrsue said...

DON'T allow what the scale says dictate your day.