YAY...as of today I only have 23 days left until my surgery!!!! :cursing:

So I want to start getting everything together for before, during and after surgery and I'm wondering what everyone stocked up on.

I know that I should get Protein shakes, gas-x strips etc, but what else should I get so I can be as prepared as possible. Ideas on products, flavors, etc would be much appreciated as I know there are things I haven't thought about and I would love to know what they are. :frown:

Hello fellow lucky loser! I am using the protein shakes right now but I plan to use the protein bullets post surgery in orange or grape flavor, I'm thinking it's gonna be difficult to drink 8 oz of milk with protein mix so the bullets will cut it down to a 1.5 or 3oz shot.

Your doctor or the nutritionist should have given you a list of foods you can eat for the first few hours, days, and weeks until on solid foods. I had surgery Jan 20. I stocked up on broth, decaf tea bags, sugar free products like pudding, jello, popsicles, fudgesicles, Italian ice, spiced apple cider mix, yogurt. Definitely keep the protein shakes in the house as you'll need them to get the nutrients you need. The rest is just guilt free icing on the cake. I also stocked up on mushies like refried beans, tuna fish, canned chicken breast, potted meats like deviled ham and vienna sausages. I just bought a couple of each to have some variety. Right now I start my morning with Carnation Instant Breakfast no sugar added variety and mix with 12 oz skim milk and 1 scoop of protein powder. This adds up to 42 g of protein! Also, keep what items you can have the first few weeks in a box. I did, and when I got hungry I would just look in my box for items I could have. Same for the frig and freezer, carve out a space just for your foods. That way not tempted to have something you shouldn't. Lastly, keep a variety of the foods you can have so you don't become bored. You'll do great! :frown:

Hello fellow lucky loser! I am using the protein shakes right now but I plan to use the protein bullets post surgery in orange or grape flavor, I'm thinking it's gonna be difficult to drink 8 oz of milk with protein mix so the bullets will cut it down to a 1.5 or 3oz shot.

What are bullets?

They are here, but can be found cheaper elsewhere, just a more concentrated form than mixes and prepackaged protein shakes

Protein Bullet - 42 Grams of Perfect Protein :: Most advanced high protein drink ever produced for the Lap Band, Bariatric, and Gastric Bypass lifestyle.

They are here, but can be found cheaper elsewhere, just a more concentrated form than mixes and prepackaged protein shakes

Protein Bullet - 42 Grams of Perfect Protein :: Most advanced high protein drink ever produced for the Lap Band, Bariatric, and Gastric Bypass lifestyle.

Thanks! This forum is just full of information!!

I found the 1/2 cup plasic Gladware cups very useful for keeping portions in check

Week 1--I was put on clear liquids only. Nothing with milk basically. Italian Ice, popcicles, jello-all different flavors, apple juice, tea bags, lemon juice (to put in the warm tea-helps prevent caffine withdrawal). Chicken noodle soup--I strained the noodles etc out and heated up the broth. High in sodium--yes. But it REALLY hit the spot on like the 3rd day when I started to get my appetite back. I was told no low sugar etc because it was the only calories I was getting. My doc didn't allow protein shakes till week 2. The popsicles were crucial-- the different flavors really helped and you can't eat them that fast because they are frozen. Helps with the bad taste from the anethesia too. Not everyone gets that side effect though.

I also got a 32oz "mug" that had the measurements on it. That way I could regulate and sip constantly to make sure I was getting enough liquids. I alternated water w/lemon juice, apple juice and warm tea w/lemon. I would put 8-16oz at a time and MADE myself drink it in an hour to keep hydrated. I just kept sipping while I was awake.

Pudding for when you can eat stuff with milk in it.

After my 2 day clear liquids, my favorite lunches were cream of tomato or cream of chicken (strained) Soups, they tasted SO heavenly. I also had veggie stew and venison stew broth (everything strained out), and I enjoyed getting warm things in addition to the Protein shakes. Adding non-fat skim milk powder to soups, broth or shakes added 5g protein per T. i also drank a LOT of crystal light. After years of drinking a lot of Water, post-surg I wanted flavor!

I also didn't like the cinnamon or peppermint flavor of the Gas-X strips, so got cherry GasX and cherry Maalox or Mylanta chewables. liquid Tylenol also was a godsend, it helped with the shoulder pain more than the pain meds for me.

Chapstick for the hospital was the BEST advice I ever received from these boards.