Preparation for weeks post op? Advice.

[LaGueriTaChuLa13 34]

Hello everyone I am wanting to find out from people who have had sugery as to what they felt their neccessities were when they returned home after surgery????.. or in other words what do I need to prepare and stock up on before I go in for surgery to have readily at hand. Any adivce would be wonderful! Thankss

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

First and foremost - don't buy massive bottles of powdered Protein mix. Your tastes change after surgery and what you could tolerate before, you might not be able to tolerate afterwards and if you've bought in bulk - you're stuck with it. (I know this, through experience)

Same goes for flavours of Isopure, etc.

Get a wide selection of sachets, so you can try all the types in the world and find which one 'works' for you.

Get a heatpad/electric blanket. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. (No carbs can make you feel cold)

Get a few (5) tins of soup/consumme - make 'em bland and lump free at the start. Upgrade to thicker as you move along.

Get a small selection of Jello. Again, you don't want to be stuck with flavours you can't tolerate

Yoghurt - 0% Total by Fage. Its low fat, tastes good and is very good for you.

Get a chewable/liquid Multi-Vitamin. Again, get one packet/small bottle. You don't want to get stuck with something you can't tolerate.

Get a glass/bottle (open topped, not valved) you can drink your Water out of. Know how much the bottle/glass holds, so you know how much you're drinking every day. Or, get an empty 2ltr soda bottle, fill it up with Water and work your way through it every day. Water is very important. You do NOT want to get dehydrated. If you can't handle water, get some crystal light sachets (again, a variety just in case you can't stomach some) and use that to flavour your water.

And a bit of a random one... I found that at the start, I wasn't getting nearly enough Fluid in to 'flush' my kidneys out properly. This made my urine smell a bit concentrated and a bit, well, funky. Consequently, I felt the need to wash a lot (paranoia and hyper sensitive sense of smell post op - which can happen). I recommend some baby/intimate wipes to make you feel 'fresher', just whilst you're upscaling the amount of fluids you drink.

That's it for now.. I'm sure loads of people have loads of other ideas. If I think of anything else, I'll get back to you!

[gmanbat 5,889]

http://www.muhealth.org/documents/bariatric/bariatric%20booklet%20vsg.pdf

This looks like a good booklet with much information including what you will need after surgery.

Edited January 5, 2014 by gmanbat

[medicyn 32]

The list sounds complete, but the advice I will offer is walk! As soon as you wake up in the hospital and they say it is ok, walk. Every time someone comes in and wakes you, walk. It doesn't have to be far but I was on a bariatric floor and the staff were amazed how well I did compared to other patients... It's because I walked. It may be a little painful at times but force yourself up. I minimized my pain meds and feel so much better because I walked.

[LaGueriTaChuLa13 34]

Thank you all for replying!!. This helps aton!!

[Bigbeaz 91]

These other guys pretty much nailed it.

[Ballermom 803]

1 -2 weeks max of supplies like Protein. My taste buds changed and I ended up giving away my Protein Shakes cause the sugar in them made me sick. So just buy samples.

I was walking in my neighborhood day 3. Shopping by day 4. So gasx Water.

Not a lot is needed.

Walking Sipping water then protein.

Good luck