TO-DO AND DON'TS.....IS there anything I should to before surgery? Any items I should purchase? especially for someone like me who LIVES on a paycheck to TO-DO AND DON'TS.....IS there anything I should to before surgery? Any items I should purchase? especially for someone like me who LIVES on a paycheck to paycheck basis? what are the things I should do before I go to surgery anything???

A minute ago basis? what are the things I should do before I go to surgery anything???

A minute ago

Well since money is an issue I would say definitley DO NOT buy too much if you can not return. Immediately post op depending on your doctors plan you will maybe need broth, creamed Soups, Protein drinks, sugar free ice pops. The Protein Drinks are the most expensive, but very important. Don't buy a huge tub of mix only to find you don't like it. Vitamin Shoppe sells single serve packets so you can try them. GNC and Vitamin Shoppe both take items back if you are not satisfied. So save your receipts.

There isn't anything I did in particular before my surgery.

Good Luck!

Edited January 1, 201511 yr by Chele H

Broth, tea, 100% juices *dilute it yourself 50%*, water, jello and unflavored protein for the first two weeks, if your surgeon requires 2 weeks of clear liquids for phase 1.

Agreed. In fact I bought single serving packs of Protein powders & drinks pre-op and sampled them to decide which ones I liked and could tolerate. I then only bought enough to last 2 weeks post-op as I was concerned because I had heard your taste buds can sometimes change. In addition to buying from GNC/Vitamin Shoppe you can also try CVS, Rite Aid, Whole Foods. There are a few places online that sell samples as well.

On an economical side, CVS whey Protein powder is only $20 for a 2lb container.

Before you buy antacids or stool softeners find out if your surgeon will prescribe them. My insurance covered the omeprazole and colace my doctor recommended.

I stocked my house with enough food to get through the 2 week full liquid phase that my program requires. Veg broth, herbal tea, almond milk, greek yogurt

The only other thing I did was clean my house and make sure I could feed and care for my cat.

I totally agree with selecting samples of protein powder vs. buying the large expensive containers. Even if you taste them before and like them, you may not or should I say your tummy may not after surgery. I spent over 100.00 at GNC on protein powder only to find out my tummy could not handle it. I ended up giving it away and then trying a premade that I love and still use every morning for breakfast.

Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming surgery!

If you are trying out samples, be sure to try those that are 100% Protein isolate, which is the most absorbable protein. Examples that I can think of right now are unjury (available online), Syntrax nectar, and GENEPRO.

When you get to the puréed stage post op, make a few soups, then purée and freeze them in 2-4 ounce portions. Much cheaper than buying baby food....

You should walk each day before surgery. It will help your recovery process to go quickly and smoothly.

Your taste buds will change after surgery, so buying foods or Protein shakes prior to surgery may be a waste of money.

You may find it difficult to swallow your Vitamins after surgery, so buy a pill splitter and a pill crusher.

Weigh yourself on home scale.

More importantly, take your measurements. This is vital as you go forward and hit a stall. The scale may not move but the tape measure still does. It is very reassuring.

Get an honest picture of yourself.

Understand that I did not do any of these things but if I knew then what I do now.....

I, as well as many others, can not see ourselves as we are now. I did not realize how I looked at 284 and I don't see how I look now at 153. I still feel fat. The only thing that is keeping me at this weight is my wardrobe. I finally bought some new things - size 8 - and don't want them wasted.