Question:
What Vitamens, Protiens & such do I buy before having surgery?

I'm scheduled for surgery December 16, 2003 and I want to get as prepared as I can before going into the hospital. What vitamens, Protein powders, soups, babyfood, dressing materials (for your wound). I want to pick up everything before so that I won't have my great husband running around trying to find these things after I get home and I'm miserable. I live over 2 hours away from the hospital where I'm having my surgery. Should this be of concern on the trip home? Thanks in advance for your help!    — glensjtarr (posted on October 5, 2003)

October 5, 2003
Hey, girl. You must be getting excited! What a great Christmas present you're giving yourself! I am over 2 hours from the hospital my surgeon perfoms out of. Because of that, he had me stay an extra night in the hospital. I had lap RNY and my surgeon closes the incisions with Dermabond. I haven't thus far required any other dressing materials, but if you're having opne surgery you may. The ride home was fine, I didn't pop any stitches and we even stopped at WalMart so I could get some Gas-X. I was hunched over and tooting like a 90-year-old lady! But there wasn't any concerns or anything. Bring a pillow to hold against your tummy as added support over any speed bumps or potholes. I wouldn't worry about the protein powders quite yet, as I'm sure everyone will tell you. Supposedly your tastes change. Most people's will. Mine haven't at all. I think I'm an anonmoly. Get yourself some b-12, a chewable multi, and some calcium citrate. I received a shot of b-12 before leaving the hospital, so you may not need that right away if you get one as well. But there's no reason not to stock-up! People on here seem to really like the vita-lady. I would try her. I dunno what your post-op diet will be, so I can't tell you what to buy. However, some staples are water (I got the fruit2O in lemon and in strawberry) some broth (either make it homeade and freeze into ice-cube trays to be able to thaw individual, perfect sized portions or strain the Campbells chunky chicken noodle for the best tasting broths I've found) Most of the time you can have sugar-free popsicles and sugar-free Jello. The popsicles are good, but the Jello gives me a tummy ache. You can also usually have decaf coffee. I go to this place nearby and get 8 oz ofdecaf cofee over ice with 3 oz of skim milk and this sugar free syrup flavorings-I like the caramel and the white chocolate, mixed. I drink at least one a day, which may not be the greatest choice but I feel fulfilled! I just remembered-I bought some band-aid brand silicone strips to stick over my incisions, to help prevent keloiding. I won't know till I'm fully healed how they worked, but so far so good. I had lap RNY 9/25 and am down 22 pounds in 11 days and am very excited that you are about to step on the road of healthy living as well! Good luck to you!
   — jenn_jenn