[shondim]

I am a little under 2 weeks preop and trying to get all my stuff together. I would really appreciate everyone's input on what items they found most helpful when they came home. I have ordered some protein samples already and meet with the nutritionist next week so I will find out what else food wise I need then. What I want to know is other stuff you found helpful i.e. small bowls, spoons, etc. I am on the hunt for a scale (haven't had the desire to own one in years), am contemplating a magic bullet but not sure what else.

Please let me know what you couldn't live without when you were first post-op and after.

Thanks

Shondi

[fr1endly2]

shondi this was what i was allowed the first stages of food..but every surgeon is different so do follow yours rules:

FOR HOSPITOL:
chapstick
phone calling card or cell if allowed
picture of loved ones
robe
slippers
makeup
ipod


STAGE 1

lo sodium broth
sugar free iced tea
sugar free crystal light and kool aide
propel
sugar free popsicles
sugar free jello


stage 2
carb countrdown chocolate milk
skim milk
sugar free carnation instant breakfast
protein shakes
yogurt lo fat and lo carb
fat free /sugar free puddings
sugar free hot cocoa


stage 3 diet:

applesauce no sugar added
cream of wheat or farina
lo fat cottage cheese
canned fruit natural juice
canned veggies (no salt added)
SOUP
mashed potatoes (instant)

stage 4

tuna fish
chicken no skin
flaky fish
lean ground beef
cheerios rice krispies (no sugar cereal

SUPPLEMENTS:

chewable centrum
tums for calcuim
powdered protein supplement (soy)

[bren]

Lisa hit on most of it.. except might want to take a book or puzzle book to help you in the hospital

[howietam]

Yes, it sounds like Lisa's got it together.
I might add "no sugar added" fudgesicles, my life saver!
I also stocked up on dry milk and canned evaporated skim milk to add to soups, mashed potatoes and anything else I can add it to.
I used children's chewable vits at first.

I didn't require much in the hospital...I slept most of the time...and walked, walked, walked!!

[howietam]

Shondi,
I didn't buy any special appliances...I just used a small food chopper and a smoothie maker I already had. You won't need it for very long so I hated to spend the $$ on any expensive choppers or blenders!

[fr1endly2]

as far as a scale... i would say get out to walmart and get one.
I just loved weighing in daily to follow my weight losses. AT times i was obsessing but oh well.

some people are fine with just weighing in when they see there doctor others need to do daily weigh ins. I do now at times seeing the scale slo down was frustrating but got thru it.

[CraftHer]

My mother-in-law gave me a really pretty teacup and saucer. I used it to drink broth. It was really very nice to drink from fancy cup. I layed out my vitamins on the saucer.

I had a small glass that was 4 oz. At first, my dr. told me to drink 4 oz. an hour and it was really helpful. I used 4 oz custard cups for my soups, pudding and jello.

Pill crusher/splitter.

I already had a magic bullet. It was handy to mix soups and shakes. Especially when you can add fruit or bananas. I now use a hand mixer.

This may sound really crazy, but I bought a cheap 6-pack of underwear that was a size too big. I thought I would be swollen and wanted to be comfortable. Since they were cheap, I just tossed them after I wore them. I'm really glad I did this.

I also bought a journal to write about my journey and to keep track of my food, drink, medication and how I was feeling.

Good Luck.