Hi all:

I am three weeks out from surgery, and I was wondering if there are any items or foods that I should get before surgery to be prepared for the post-op process? I wondered specifically if a blender or food processor is recommended. I watched a YouTub video where a woman made shot-sized protein puddings so she would have them on hand when she got home from the hospital. Has anyone meal prepped before surgery?

I do have another random question. I am seeing in a lot of the YouTube videos that people are coming home with drain tubes or have drains in the hospital. Is that something I will have? I am nervous about that since I do not do well with blood and guts, even though that is really minor blood and guts.

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds!

I definitely stocked up on my kitchen appliances and equipment - not so much due to being post-op, but mostly because I was going to meal-prep versus eating out and doing take-out.

The two things that made the biggest difference were small (2 oz) size Tupperware containers and a Nutribullet. I do have a BlendTec blender which is great for soups, sauces, smoothies - but it is easier to deal with a Nutribullet for protein shakes and other single serving items.

After my liquid phase I got a food scale, a mini food processor and a good knife sharpener given I was doing a lot more prep. I already had a cold-press juicer, crock pot and a good blender. This has worked well for me.

I am using my crock pot a lot to make stews and braised meats which I then freeze. My favorite is a white bean and sausage stew that is very heavy on the garlic, rosemary and thyme - very savory and a 2 oz serving is unbelievably filling.

For food items you wont need much. Protein shakes, sugar free jello, and bone broth was pretty much all I ate for the first couple of weeks.

It's when you start introducing foods that you deal with prep and getting organized.

I didn't do a lot of food prep ahead of time other than buying some protein shakes...

As far as the drain - I had one in the hospital and it was removed right before I was released. It wasn't too gross while it was in - the nurses did all of the work to empty it so I could just look away. Getting it removed was stressful for me but it didn't hurt and was over quickly.

I don't know what you will have. You need to check with your surgeon. I did not have a drain. I have seen many have them. I wouldn't prepare pureed food. I did. And ended up throwing them out. Your taste buds changes so you need to see what you like at the time.

Sent from my Vivo 5R using BariatricPal mobile app

I didn't have a drain, but I do have a tip that helped me when I came home. I got 2 ounce souffle cups...the disposable ones. I got a pack at Walmart for about 2-3 bucks...had about 60 in there. They're the kind that a restaurant might put sauce in, clear plastic with lid for take-out or something. They were near the paper plates, paper cups, etc.

I doled out 2 ounce servings of things like greek yogurt, popped the lid on and with a Sharpee marker - noted how much protein was in each. SO i could grab one, know it had X amount of protein, and was a good size. I'd fill some half-way, yes, believe it or not, a few spoons is more than you think when you're just starting out. Anyway, of everything I did, that was actually the most useful and what I was most grateful for. I had a few stacks of pre-made/pre-sized things so when it came time to eat something, I didn't have to think about it.

Best of luck on your journey.