Preparing For Surgery

[chicagochic 73]

I don't sleeve for another six weeks but would like to start my shopping for pre and post op foods. Any "must haves" that you found? I have to do two weeks liquid diet post and am so scared I will be intolerably mean and snappy. Good thing i live alone! While I will have family in and out for the first few weeks, I would love to just make sure I have everything I need on hand. So please give me a good shopping list!

Also, does anyone think I need to have someone stay with me for a few days?

[racheal218 14]

Hi there, I was sleeved on 3/6 and can only speak to my experience. If someone can stay with you the first day you get home that would be great. You need some support. My first week after surgery I could only have sugar free popsicles, w low sodium broth, Water ( you can add sugar free sweetener), and clear Protein drink, mine was Isopure from GNC, alpine punch is really good! After my first week check up I could have full liquids strained cream based Soups, strained oatmeal, skim milk, Bari essential Protein shakes and of course Jello. I'm on this until next tues. When I can start blended. I know your in pre op right now, it will be totally worth it and I'm excited for you. The thing that helped me the most was hearing my pre op nurse say-" the quicker you get up and walk, and walk as often as you can, the faster you'll heal and be out of pain" I started walking two hours after my surgery, walked every hour( down the hall and back) and only had to have pain meds three times. To prepare food wise, this would be my start-

Case of isopure- $50 for 12 (one a day so almost two weeks worth)

Crystal light lemonade

chicken broth, low sodium

Sugar free Popsicles

Jello, sugar free

Kashi plain oatmeal

Cream of wheat

Cream of soups- chicken, mushroom

Any heart healthy Soup that can be strained

Good luck for sure!

[chicagochic 73]

Great into. Thanks!

[11pageapology 3]

I don't sleeve for another six weeks but would like to start my shopping for pre and post op foods. Any "must haves" that you found? I have to do two weeks liquid diet post and am so scared I will be intolerably mean and snappy. Good thing i live alone! While I will have family in and out for the first few weeks' date=' I would love to just make sure I have everything I need on hand. So please give me a good shopping list!

Also, does anyone think I need to have someone stay with me for a few days?[/quote']

I am living on Popsicles right now. The frozen goodness feels good. Cream of chicken is good too. Feels like an actual meal

[Tootsepop 1]

Stage 1: any Decaf teas you like, definitely Jello and Popsicles (sugar free). Sobe makes a calorie free sugar free drinks that are tasty.... Or MIO Water Enhancer....

Stage 2: cream Soups. I also ate other soups that didn't have chunks (roasted red pepper, Tomato, carrot/ginger. pudding, cream of wheat, yogurt without chunks (Lucerne brand at Safeway is good for that)

Stage 3: eggs, tuna, canned chicken, mayo or mustard ( you can make a lot of things with just these few ingredients. I use a baby bullet I got to make my daughters food... works great and it's only $60 if you don't want to shell out a bunch of cash for a food processer (they don't normally work well anyway unless you make a huge batch... and let's face it, not happening. I would say by day 4 you should be feeling pretty good... a week post op if you havn't already you will want to get out. Get yourself a nice refillable beverage container. Something new for you (which is always nice) and that you can take note of the ounces to set a daily goal. I need to drink 4 of these bottles a day to reach your daily goal for water/liquid.

One last idea. Buy a notebook if you don't already have one. If you have been well educated you know ALL the Vitamins you will need to take and your take home meds. Write out what times you plan to take your Vitamins and meds. I was so bummed I didn't do this for myself ahead of time. Coming home groggy from pain meds it was like the hardest puzzle to figure out since you can't take some things with others you have to plan your meals and all....

Last but not least, good luck to you. You will do great! I think 6 weeks pre-op I started shopping too... you just never know what will / won't agree with you so I bought everything...

Where are you having your surgery? I am almost 2 weeks post op kaiser, Northern California.

Tootsepop!

[Tootsepop 1]

The notebook I keep a log of everything! My weight for the day. Vitamins and meds. Meals, Water, how I'm feeling and any activities...

[chicagochic 73]

I am living on Popsicles right now. The frozen goodness feels good. Cream of chicken is good too. Feels like an actual meal

Thanks. That is on the list.

[chicagochic 73]

I am having my surgery on May 16th at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago. I am so excited. I will be celebrating two birthdays from here on!

[chitowngirl 884]

Oh yippie an other Chicago buddie.... I'm just about a week out, so I can only tell you what works for me so far. I ordered some Protein Soups from BariWise, the cream of chicken is awesome I ordered the cream of brocoli it is great, but post op it was just too gassy for me. Best of luck.

Ps there is a chicago group here that we are trying to get going. So join maybe we can get our little group going.

[Indymom 132]

Cottage cheese, greek yogurt, fat free refried Beans, string cheese (check with your nutritionist as to when you can have some of these foods - I was allowed most of them pretty early after surgery but other people's plans have them waiting longer). I agree with the sugar-free popsicles, crystal light, etc. I had a lot of problems with acid, though, and avoided crystal light and Powerade zero/gatorade because it made my reflux worse. I drank tons of plain Water.

Be careful ordering a bunch of Protein, too, if you haven't tasted it. You might also find that your tastes change after surgery - I had a lot of trial and error with various Proteins.

[chicagochic 73]

New here. Where do I find the Chicago group to sign up?

[chitowngirl 884]

@ ChicagoChic sorry for the delayed response. I actually had to get on my computer to see how to access the Chicago group. First of all I was unable to locate it through the app. So on the top of the web site there are tabs, forums, blogs, photos, ect. You have to click the groups tab and then look for the Chicago group. Hope this helps

[favoredone 590]

Hey fellow Chicagoan!! Congrats on your sleeve date!!! I lived off of crystal light lemonade and crushed ice... My bff made me homemade chicken broth and potato Soup...

Best wishes!!

[racheal218 14]

Good luck!

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