Questions, Questions, Questions, I have LOTS of questions

[cottonjeny]

Hello Everyone,

I am so excited, nervous, and scared. My surgery is 63 days out. I have been reading all the posts and have found some very helpful information, but I still have questions. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

PRE - OP

1. Where do I find "sugar free" juice? Does this mean "no sugar added" or are there really juices out there that have no sugar?

2. Am I allowed to have protien shakes on my pre-op diet? What are the best kinds of shakes?


POST - OP

3. Am I going to have enough energy to even get out of bed that first week?

4. How do you eliminate carbs? Everything has carbs, even the cream soups.

[dackn8tr]

My dietician said to go for the no sugar added juices, fruit has so much natural sugar there are very few truly sugar free juices. I did drink shakes on my pre-op diet, my bariatric center had me on a special diet (Nutri-Med) so all my shakes and bars that 2 weeks came from their product line. Post Op - the first few days can be a little rough but the more protein you can get in the better you'll feel, remember this is where all of your nutrients are coming from in the beginning! You'll feel like getting out of bed and moving around but will need to listen to your body to tell you when to stop, you'll tire fairly easily the first 2-3 weeks so don't be afraid to rest when you need to, but it does go away!! I didn't have to eliminate carbs, not intentionally anyway ... the first stage of my post-op diet was primarily thinned cream soups and thin mashed potatos (both carby foods) but you're only eating 1/4 cup at a time so it's really not doing any "damage" according to the dietician. Hope that helped a little, those were my experiences anyway and everyone's doctor follows a different plan.

[mariposa]

Hello. I wouldn't know about the juice because my nutritionist advised me against all except cranberry. On the pre-op diet I had two shakes a day, you want to keep your protein up above 60 grams at the minimum per day. This will help in recovery and get you used to it. As far as after surgery, I was and most people are up walking within hours after surgery. Walking is the best way to relieve gas pressure, and prevent blood clots. The more you walk the better you will feel. I am in the puréed stage and keep my carbs below fifty. Look for protein shakes that are low in carbs and fat. Now that I get more protein from eating I notice your meats and cottage cheese and things of that nature have very few carbs if any. Good luck.

[Cindola]

Cottonjenny, I went for juice that had no sugar added. As to protein drinks my favorite is from COSTCO, "Premier Nutrition" it had the lowest sugar content and didn't leave a nasty taste in my mouth. I was amazed at how much energy I had the first week after surgery, then I hit the wall -- now I have a real active day followed by a slower day. It is especially hard with teenagers and all of their activities, but I need to baby myself a little bit and let them help take care of me -- by the way naps are a good thing. As to eliminating carbs, they are there I am finding that I have a harder time with sugar -- the lower the number of grams the better. Turns out that I am sugar sensitive -- makes sense, when I use to eat sugar it made me feel awful. Remember to take your time and to take care of yourself first!

[cottonjeny]

Thank you all for the advice and suggestions. The more information I have, the less nervous and scared I will be. Thanks so much.

[jlbamagirl68]

Hi and congrats. I use Unjury protein. Love all the flavors.(Unjury.com) I had them pre-op and post. I am on soft foods now. Still slow eating things and can't tell if I am full or what. Still working on getting all of my fluids and protein in some days. But over all, I am doing well. Wish you the best of luck.

[jlbamagirl68]

Oh and juice is off limits for me. Dr and Nutritionist advise against it because it turns to pure sugar.