I am having my surgery in 3 weeks. What do I need to stock up on for pre-surgery and post-surgery? I want to go ahead and get everything ready. Any advice would be great. What protein shakes are good? I have tried the muscle milk peach mango and it is great.

Dont over buy yet. I found there were things I couldnt stand the taste of post band. I couldnt do broth after. I did SF all fruit popcicles and apple sauce. Find a good protein. I like the ones from dietdirect.com. Along with the protein fruit ones like the raspberry lemon-aid. Right after surgery have gas-x strips or pills. The gas was by far the worse pain associated with the band. Its a lot of trial by error. I would grab a few thing but not too much. You should be out of the house and walking around a day or 2 after so use a trip to the store as exercise. Good luck!! Best decision I ever made!!

I wouldnt stock up on too much either because just what you like now you may hate after surgery. I would say for after surgery a small amount of chicken broth because that gets old after a while, sf popsicles but not the fudge ones because even though they are sugar free they have a lot of calories even at 60 if you eat 10 a day thats 600 calories. Get the sugar free tropical pops at about 15 calories a pop. Protein shakes I dont know my taste changed after surgery and I hated the ones I bought. I like the eas already made carb control. Just buy enough for a week or a few days because Im telling you if you go crazy and buy stuff you may have a lot left that you cant get rid of. Sugar free jello now that you can keep for a while.

Clear 100% juices, but no citrus, Sugar free popsicles and jello, low sodium broth, Gas-X, caffeine free tea, Crystal Light. Don't buy too much of thing, because things you like pre-op, may not work for you post-op. You may prefer cold to hot or even room temp liquids. I'm 2 days post -op and added Skim Milk Plus today mixed with my protein powder. My doc progresses the diet quite slowly.

Thanks for the tips..I will just wait until after surgery to get most of my stuff then. How long before you can drive?

I purchased the Bariatric Advantage protien shakes, from their web site, I also am on my 3 week pre-op diet, my surgeon recommeded this brand and I am pretty good with it. considering I have 5 shakes a day! around 800 calories, I change out the flavor of the water, or iced tea or sf Mio to switch it up a bit. I am on day 6 today. Hope this helps, just keep a variety going or it gets old quick, but still a small sacrafice to the big picture that lies ahead of us. I bought the Strawberry, Vanilla, Chocolate, Orange Cream, Iced Latte (YUMM!) and banana. Good luck and have a positive day☺

Well, just found no pre-op diet required for me. I would still like to do one for a couple days before. So, how do I go about doing that?

I was on Clear Liquids for the first five days so I had sugar free Popsicles, crystal lite, and low sodium broth (beef, chicken, and vegetable). My doctor did not allow me to have Jello because they considered it a solid food but I've talked to many people who were able to have that. Talk to your doctor and see what they recommend. I started Protein shakes today (I'm 5 days post op) so it's best to try some samples before hand if you haven't already. For Protein Shakes I got some Torani sugar free syrups to add for flavor. I'm not a fan of any protein shakes to be honest, but it's really just a matter of following your doctors orders so you can heal and move on to food. Also, make sure you have a Water bottle or something to be able to measure your water. I have a few water bottles that have measurements on them so I know how many I need to drink. I also was told to stock up on liquid tylenol for minor pain (you'll get the strong stuff from your doctor). I was told that gas-x won't help with gas pains so I didn't get that, but everyone is different! May I also suggest socks with grips on the bottom to help you walk and not slip at all and also a travel pillow or something that wraps around your neck while you sleep!

Best of luck!!

Do you have a heating pad? I lived with my heating pad for the first week..it saved me, it was the only thing that helped with the shoulder gas pain. Good buy on the Muscle Milk..... I love it! Best of luck for your surgery and Best Wishes!

Following surgery the only pain I had was in my left shoulder. It last for 3 days. I used 2 "Magic Bags" that I put in the microwave. A lot of bandsters use a heat pad. I really helps if you have shoulder pain from the gas... walking also helped.

Just take it one day at a time, listen to your doctor and follow the guidelines as best you can given to you by your doctor.

I would take a before picture and your measurements and also try and attend a support group meeting. I found and still do find support from other bandsters to be a big help in my weight loss journey and also in maintaining my weight.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Well' date=' just found no pre-op diet required for me. I would still like to do one for a couple days before. So, how do I go about doing that?[/quote']

I have to do the slim fast diet for two weeks before the surgery....maybe you can try them. I get the Wal-Mart brand NOT chocolate.....the French vanilla is so good ice cold

Thanks for the tips! I will definitely try all of that. I am ready for this surgery to happen already!

My experience was a bit different. I was very glad that I stocked up because I did not feel like leaving the house for a week. A few laps around the living room made me tired but I did them every hour I was awake. No way could I have gone to store just a few days post op.

Good luck.

First of all Congrats on having your date! This is exciting. I am 6 months out and what i had noticed that pre and post op jello in seperate containers like a four pack or a larger pack with a variety is better than the box jello, you may need it well after when its time to get ur fills, so it will come in handy . That goes for puddings too. Soups are good but get low sodium, you don't want to over buy b cuz u r NOT gonna want to eat and just getting the water in is gonna be a challenge at first. I LOVE premier protein shakes they come in a case at sams club or costco. you can just chill them and drinkas you r able and they don't go bad, i still have the big tub of protein mix i bough! Hardly used it, Goood luck and many prayers coming ur way!

What medication do I buy before surgery? I get my surgery march 25