Immediate post-op needs?

loriloftness

I am having my sleeve done in 1 1/2 weeks. Can anyone tell me what I should have for when I get home from the hospital? Did you have things you didn't really need? Is there anything you didn't have that you wish you did have? I'm trying to make sure I am prepared so when I get home from the hospital I can just relax and not stress over anything. Suggestions anyone?

katematt313

Some ideas of food items to have: protein shakes in a few varieties, chicken bouillon or fat-free chicken broth, skim milk, sugar free "clear" popsicles (not sugar free fudgsicles - those have lots more calories), sugar free jello, plain gelatin. (NOTE: you can drink hot sugar free jello in its liquid state, very yummy, and you can add plain gelatin to broth, hot tea, etc. to make it a little more weighty, without adding more than a few calories.)

Hardware: a small personal blender to mix protein shakes in.

If you haven't already, eliminate tasty but off-limits stuff from your house before you go in for surgery, especially stuff that tempts you. I have known a lot of people who get stir crazy once they start feeling better and want to chew real food, and they start chewing off-limits solid food and spitting it out without swallowing.

That's not a good habit to pick up, and you're really not training yourself for future success (instead of appreciating what you can drink, learning to live comfortably with less and de-emphasizing the importance of food in your life, you are hyperfocusing on what you can't have and elevating food to something more than basic sustenance).

We are supposed to make the transition from "living to eat" to "eating to live" - something like giving your dog kibble for their own health, despite the fact that your dog would really prefer a juicy steak. (Yes, we are the "dogs" in that analogy - sorry!!).

Best of luck to you

loriloftness

jatematt313, thanks for the info. drinking the sugar-free jello is an interesting concept I would never have thought of. That probably opens a world of various flavors to try. Do you think that would be something I could add an unflavored protein powder to, to get the benefit of the liquid and some protein?

katematt313

Hi Lori - You can add protein powder to warm liquids, but never to hot liquids. The protein curdles, and it is disgusting! So, it all depend on how hot you like your beverages. I learned the hard way when I tried to make a "mocha" by adding chocolate protein powder to hot coffee. Ick.

A friend of mine taught me the hot jello trick last cold season - she swears by hot black cherry jello (with a shot of something in it) when she gets sore throats. I find it really soothing and satisfying.

2BeHappy2

Kate, I read where you said I have known a lot of people who get stir crazy once they start feeling better and want to chew real food, and they start chewing off-limits solid food and spitting it out without swallowing.
Yesterday while grocery shopping, I told my husband that Im not thinking "junk" food in the moment as much as wanting to crunch on something, just the action of feeling my jaw working out...lol!
An apple or carrot would be fine
What you said about knowing a lot of people chewing and spitting it out had never come to "my" mind.
I guess for me its the thought of being wasteful in that way so Im glad Im not 1 of them...lol!
This is the 1st time Ive heard of people doing something like this...aside from bulimic people (those who eat and purposely cause themselves to vomit).

bikrchk

Chewable Tylenol Jr. I found it was all I needed for pain and didn't taste like crap going down. I used the grape flavor.
A water based protein drink... isopure, nectar, something that's not milkey. I just found it went down better for the first few weeks.
chewable or liquid vitamins
G2, propel or some form of light electrolyte water. It's gonna be hard to stay hydrated early on and adding electrolytes can help.
Greek Yougurt if you're allowed it. My full liquids post op included it and I lived on that and Nectar for the first week. After a week you should feel well enough to shop for what sounds good.

JEMP65

loriloftness wrote: »

jatematt313, thanks for the info. drinking the sugar-free jello is an interesting concept I would never have thought of. That probably opens a world of various flavors to try. Do you think that would be something I could add an unflavored protein powder to, to get the benefit of the liquid and some protein?

Lori Unjury brand protein comes in both and unflavored powder and a chicken broth flavor. It's nice to have something with a savory flavor rather than all the sweet drinks I had the first week. They sell a sampler kit for $21.20 that includes two packets of five protein drink flavors, a mixing bottle and a thermometer. Apparently you shouldn't add the protein powder to any liquid over 140 degrees, hence the thermometer. It will clump and not dissolve in higher heats. Unjury is available online at unjury.com.