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What do I need to stock up on for pre-surgery and post-surgery?



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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.

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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!!

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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.

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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.

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

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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☺

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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?

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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!!

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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! :)

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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

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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

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

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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.

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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!

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