Post Surgery People - How to make those first weeks post-op easier?

[songsmith 334]

I read someone prepared liquid and pureed meals ahead of time then froze them. That got me thinking. What did you do to make your immediate post-op days easier or what do you wish you had done?

[Miss Mac 6,261]

I have a lift chair from when I had some spinal surgery, and I slept in that for a few nights. Some people sleep propped up with pillows. This help from pulling on sore abdominal muscles.

[rking 484]

since i was to be on a clear liquid diet for 2 weeks post op, i bought a few bottles of Isopure, canned broth, and some sugar free popsicles. i had no pain to speak of really and had no issues, so there is nothing else i wish i had done. i was able to get up and do everything for myself without a problem. my bed is one that you can adjust to sit up in so i stayed there for several days. i kept my Water on my nightstand. i watched a lot of tv and got up and walked around the house quite a bit.

[MarciaN 391]

I had someone take me to a store everyday so I could walk and hold on to a cart. I think exercise gets the blood going and aids in healing. At first I was pretty tired after my walk but each day I gained more strength. Good luck!

[BigTink2LilTink 723]

If I had went back I probably would have slowly started to phase in the liquids more in better preparation for the full liquid phase. So maybe a month before the two week clear liquid diet phase, I would have started substituting one or two meals with Clear Liquids such as broth and Water only. That way my body would have had more time to adjust to the shock of not fully eating 3 to 5 times a day anymore for as long as I had when that way. I think my body would have been better prepared for it.

Post op there is a lot I know I would have done differently knowing what I know now versus back then. Post op I would have done the following:

1. Following doctor/nutrition's meal plans strictly and tried not to go beyond them.
2. Started taking additional Vitamins such Thiamine(B1), and Prebiotic soon after surgery when swallowing pills were allowed, instead of just focusing on Calcium, Iron, and multi-Vitamins alone.
3. Started earlier with my calorie tracking instead of waiting till 6 months out when I could eat basically all meat Protein again.

4. Started swimming sooner than when I did. Waited almost 10 months post op before I got in a pool again. Should have started like 3/4 months post op.
5. Been more patient with myself. Understanding that this process was going to take time, and to not try and rush it. I guess this goes hand and hand with #1 (not following the meal plan strictly).

[WorkinOnMe 596]

If I had it to do all over again I would have started trying foods in liquid/pureed form earlier. There were some things that I like that I figured I would just puree and be all set, when in reality once I did that I couldn't stomach the texture. I also would have experimented more with the various Soups and seasonings to make them taste better. I finally got my hubby to doctor them up, but it was a few weeks into it all. I did things like: curry and cumin in the golden mushroom (blended up) Soup, garlic and adobo in cream of chicken Soup, and basil and other italian seasoning in Tomato Soup. This made it all sooooooo much more tasty!

Not on food topic, but I would have bought underwear in a few smaller sizes. I went through them quickly and HATE that saggy butt feeling!!!

[BigTink2LilTink 723]

Totally agree with you on the underwear and Soup options. I think for 3 months I was living on cream of chicken soup and crackers exclusively.

If I had it to do all over again I would have started trying foods in liquid/pureed form earlier. There were some things that I like that I figured I would just puree and be all set, when in reality once I did that I couldn't stomach the texture. I also would have experimented more with the various Soups and seasonings to make them taste better. I finally got my hubby to doctor them up, but it was a few weeks into it all. I did things like: curry and cumin in the golden mushroom (blended up) soup, garlic and adobo in cream of chicken soup, and basil and other italian seasoning in Tomato Soup. This made it all sooooooo much more tasty!

Not on food topic, but I would have bought underwear in a few smaller sizes. I went through them quickly and HATE that saggy butt feeling!!!

[sherryjntexas 6]

Great advice, thank you! I'm doing the liquid now, one week before surgery. I want to be prepared. My other sleeve friends said they wished they had started liquid earlier, the broth was a shock to them.