I start my liquid diet on the 18th and I have soooooo much to do between now and my surgery date it isn't even funny. What I need is a list of things that I will need post-op. I know plenty of liquid stuff, I bought 3 cases of Propel at the store today, it was on sale with no limit, woohoo! I also have a really good heating pad. What else will I need? What gas relief product do you all suggest? Is a squishy pillow needed for abdominal pain? I have a recliner and I plan to sleep there for the first few nights. Anything else I am going to need? ~Mandy

I was banded yesterday - I can only tell you what has helped me so far.

I got a really nice cold pack with a felt like outside - this has felt really nice on my belly, as you are not supposed to use heat on your belly according to my Dr.

I used the heating pad on my back - life saver - I have had a lot of back pain. I got adult strenght liquid tylenol and liquid gaviscon for gas pain. I got low sodium chicken broth, de-caff peppermint tea and fruit punch gatorade.

Oh, and a lot of gossip magazines- - I am already out!!!! Make sure you take home those sexy surgical socks with the neat little grips on the bottom

I also got my area ready before I left with plenty of pillows to sit up and some blankets - that way I didn't have to try and do it when I got home.

Good luck!!!!

I got adult strenght liquid tylenol and liquid gaviscon for gas pain.

I reccomend both of these or Gas X, got your Protein drinks yet?

I brought a pillow along for the car ride home, to splint with, it was a total lifesaver. Stuck it right inside my seatbelt with me. You will be suprised to find out how bumpy those roads actually are.

I am looking for my post op diet - but are the protien drinks considered clear liquid diet? I thought they said clear liquid for 7 days, but I also thought they said protien drinks after day two - I really need to find that list huh

I got the EAS low carb protien drinks.

I have a list of things that I can and cannot have prebanding. I wonder if it will be the same post banding. For my 10 day preband diet I am allowed unlimited sugar-free drinks (hence the propel), low sodium broth and sugar-free popsicles and jello, and 2-3 serving daily of low-fat low cal yogurt, 1-2 a day of Atkins shakes, Carb Countdown or Carb Solution products.( are the carb products powdered?). I cannot have slim fast shakes, ensure, boost, as they are on the NONO list. I am going to sam's club for the protein shakes next week, is that the cheapest place to get them? Also which are better, atkins, carb solutions or carb countdown? Thanks for all the info~Mandy

I havent had the carb countdown but I like the atkins(not premixed but powder) and the carb solutions powder. I think the carb solutions are a little better.

I would not have made it without Maalox Max. I had a sour stomach.

I went shopping for my meds at our local Wal Mart and discovered a medicine named "PhaZyme" which contains 180 mg of simethicone where Gas-X contains only 120 mg of the active ingredient that helps the gas pain. It has worked wonderfully for me.