I'm new here, I just got APPROVAL for surgery a few days ago and I am scheduled for December 21st. I have never had a major surgery so my mind is running wild with doubts and fears... I start my liquid diet on the 7th, I was thinking about starting Monday just so I know everything goes smoothly on the 21st ????. My big question is what should my pre/post op grocery list look like? I know I'm going to get burnt out on protein shake after protein shake... Also does anyone know if coffee is okay pre op? I know I'm going to be moody already on full liquid I can't imagine loosing coffee as well LOL. Also what should I have in my over night bag at the hospital? Thanks for everyone's help!! ????

Your doc should give you all the choices you can have. They all differ so much. Is it just liquid?

I read on here to bring gas x strips. The nurse told me I could not have them but my doc said I could when he came in. I really didn't need them much as I never really had gas pain, just some discomfort. Bring a robe for when you are walking the halls and house shoes. That is really all I needed. I brought clothes to go home in but some people wear what they wore up there; just nothing right around stomach.

Coffee..... I thought I could no longer have caffeine so I started weaning off two weeks prior. I did not want to have horrible caffeine headaches along with a liquid diet. Then I found out I could have coffee and tea with no cream and sugar so all was well again.

Congratulations on being approved for surgery! As @@rking said every surgeon seems to have a different protocol so it's best to follow the plan given to you by yours.

My surgeon did not allow caffeine for 8 weeks following surgery so I used the pre-op period to wean myself off of coffee. I'm back on it now but was able to consume some decaf after the first couple of weeks which helped.

As far as post-op groceries, again I would refer to any documents given you by your surgeon or nutritionist (NUT). Every plan is different. Many doctors have patients progress slowly through the phases of Clear liquids, full liquids, pureed foods, soft foods and regular foods while others progress more quickly. For certain you will need some good choices for broth, Protein shakes, sugar free popsicles and then progressing to sugar free applesauce, fat free yogurt and cream Soups.

The most important item, immediately post-surgery is to maintain your Fluid intake. For the first few days to a week after surgery hydration is more important than nutrition. If your experience is like mine you'll be challenged to get liquids in for a few days, then the post-surgery swelling will ease and liquids will be easier. I found that getting various flavors of Crystal Light helped a great deal rather than just drinking Water.