Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hi All,

I'm trying to figure out what I'll need after surgery and in the life thereafter so I can prepare myself. So far I have:

  • gotten bariatric sized flatware and plates (livliga.com and little ceramic crocks)
  • gotten a mug warmer for keeping my food warm while I take forever to eat it
  • figured out my favorite Protein Shakes and have a good supply of my favorites
  • gotten unflavored Protein and chicken broth protein
  • sampled Vitamins and worked with my dietician to figure out the best regimen for at least the first 2 months

Can you think of anything else you would do to prepare?

Do you think I'll need a shower seat for showering after surgery or will it only last a few days and I can stink that long?

Maybe will I need one of those wedge pillows for sleeping upright to prevent pain/nausea?

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, minimamaz00m said:

Hi All,

I'm trying to figure out what I'll need after surgery and in the life thereafter so I can prepare myself. So far I have:

  • gotten bariatric sized flatware and plates (livliga.com and little ceramic crocks)
  • gotten a mug warmer for keeping my food warm while I take forever to eat it
  • figured out my favorite Protein Shakes and have a good supply of my favorites
  • gotten unflavored Protein and chicken broth Protein
  • sampled Vitamins and worked with my dietician to figure out the best regimen for at least the first 2 months

Can you think of anything else you would do to prepare?

Do you think I'll need a shower seat for showering after surgery or will it only last a few days and I can stink that long?

Maybe will I need one of those wedge pillows for sleeping upright to prevent pain/nausea?

Thanks!

I don't think you'll need a shower seat but that's up to you but, definitely a (wedge or other style) pillow for comfort

I would recommend :

Measuring tape to keep track of losses that the scale may not reflect

water bottle with liquid measurements to track intake

Silk/Satin pillow case to minimize possible hair issues

Pill organizer

Good Luck ♥️

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Shower chairs are expensive so I just purchased a smaller chair from Telco and have been using that when I shower. Some days I don’t need it but when I’m having a tough day it comes in handy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't need a shower chair and was able to shower the day after surgery when I got home (I felt GROSS!!) - Can't say it was the most comfortable shower I've ever had, but I never felt weak or in danger. I also didn't need a wedge to sit up - Those can be pretty pricey also - I slept in the lounger off and on for a few days and that seemed to work.

Others can chime in here - But you might want to not go too crazy on post-surgery supplies with some of the shakes. Lots of folks say their tastes change. (mine didn't).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, RichelleGetsFit0309 said:

Shower chairs are expensive so I just purchased a smaller chair from Telco and have been using that when I shower. Some days I don’t need it but when I’m having a tough day it comes in handy.

Richelle - Just looked @ your stats! You're killing it girlfriend!! I'm impressed and WAY TO GO!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

recovery is pretty easy for a majority of us (although I know it's not for some). I doubt you'll need a shower chair. Even if you're one of the unfortunate ones who experiences pain with this, it doesn't last long - maybe a few days at most. As for a wedge pillow, I had one for plastic surgery - but that was much more painful than my RNY. I just propped up some pillows after my RNY. Although it certainly wouldn't hurt to get one.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can’t imagine you’ll need a shower chair either. I was up showering the next day no problems - I just went slowly. I didn’t wash my hair for a few days just because I had long thick hair & didn’t want to lift my arms up high & did it over the laundry tub for a couple of weeks.

I had no issue sleeping in a bed & on my side as usual but I think I was a lucky one as I didn’t even have gas pain (don’t hate me).

Make sure you have all your prescription meds & over the counter meds (gasX, benefibre, aspirin, coloxyl, etc.) before your surgery. You may find a heat pack soothing.

Good luck with your surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You shouldn't need a shower chair. If you don't have a recliner to use for a few days you may need the wedge. All the other suggestions given already are pretty accurate. The only thing I would add is a kitchen scale to weigh your food when you get to that stage. For me weighing and measuring my food is still an important tool!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 09/21/2020 at 18:58, MandoGetsSleeved said:






Richelle - Just looked @ your stats! You're killing it girlfriend!! I'm impressed and WAY TO GO!


Thank you so much!!! I’m doing the best I can taking it one meal at a time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 9/21/2020 at 1:17 PM, GreenTealael said:

I don't think you'll need a shower seat but that's up to you but, definitely a (wedge or other style) pillow for comfort

I would recommend :

Measuring tape to keep track of losses that the scale may not reflect

water bottle with liquid measurements to track intake

Silk/Satin pillow case to minimize possible hair issues

Pill organizer

Good Luck ♥️

Thank you GreenTealael!

I have measuring tape, I'm a seamstress 🙂 I measured myself last month so I am ready for that.

I got a H2OPal Water bottle last year to help me with my water intake, I really like it.

I have a silk pillowcase anyway because my hair is crazy without it.

Pill organizer? For Vitamins or will there be a lot more happening? I have some of those but they are not large sized. Just the plain 7 day ones you'd get from a drug store.

Also @Lynnlovesthebeach I forgot that I did get one of those! I am really finding it to be a good tool also. Not just to make sure I'm not underestimating the food I'm eating but also works great for baking. I never realized that it would help so much in getting the right texture for the gluten free baked goods I make for my son (he's celiac).

Am I going to be hunched over in pain like I was after my c section?

Also on another note, I'm so bummed, my surgeon got all my labs and my A1C is a 7.1, and she thinks it's too high, so yet more time I'm going to have to wait 😞 I am having my endocrinologist send her a letter releasing me for surgery, I hope that helps me get on the fast(er) track!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You may be hunched over a little but probably not long. The incisions are very small. I had nerve blocks on both sides of my abdomen and wasn't hunched over...at least I didn't think so. I also never had any pain ever! I'm making up for it though with my lower body lift and brachioplasty I had 4 wks ago...hunched over for a week, burning pain in incisions. The arms are the worst! By the way, the GB is going to fix your A1C. Is the surgeon going to delay because of that? Sounds like you are pretty well prepared.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not thrilled - 7.1 was my value when I went into the surgeon for the first appointment, and she seemed to think the number was fine, as long as it didn't go up before surgery... now we're at the point where I need to meet with her for the last time before she submits the packet to insurance. Her nurse emailed and said that it wasn't low enough. I looked at the ADA webpage and it looks like they recommend 7.0 or lower for any surgery in general. I tried to gently remind the nurse that I'm a type 1 diabetic not a type 2, but I really don't know what good that did because nobody is calling/emailing me to go to the next step. Based on my most recent blood sugars I think I'm going to be more like 6.6 at my next bloodwork, so I made my next quarterly appointment and I'm going to get my blood drawn next week instead of the 2nd week of October so I can show them I'm going down. If that doesn't get me some movement, then I'm not sure what I'll do. My immediate reaction is to go and be the squeaky wheel but I don't want to piss them off at me. I really need to do the surgery/recovery before the end of the year because of the way time off works at my company.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In the meantime, I'm shedding weight very slowly but surely, about 5 lbs a month, and walking almost every day. I'm starting to really feel healthier because my normal flat walk is starting to feel too easy. I look in the mirror expecting to see a new skinny me and I don't know who that fat chick is looking back at me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×