1. Book Suggestions, 2. Chewable vitamin and 3. Abdominal Binder, 4. Support pillow questions

[GigiUSA]

OK, I'm starting to get a little anxious and trying to make sure that I have everything ready before surgery. I tried to streamline my questions for the group below.....

1. I know I have seen several book suggestions on the site but for some reason today I am unable to find them. I was thinking about purchasing - Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success: A Practical Patient Guide To Help Maximize Your Weight Loss Results. Does anyone have any suggestions?

2. I was going to order -Bariatric Fusion Complete Chewable Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement Orange Cream? Thoughts?

3. I thought I would order the BraceAbility 2XL Plus Size Bariatric Abdominal Binder for Men & Women to wear after surgery. Did anyone wear something like this?

4. I have no idea what to get as far as a pillow I have seen people talking about to hold in stomach?....

OK, that's all I have right now

[sraebaer]

1. Never bought any books. My nutritionist basically gave me a book of handouts!

2. I use ProCare Health Bariatric Multivitamins, just a once a day. They come in chewable (which I used early on) and capsules (which I use now.)
Then used the Building Blocks Calcium Citrate chewable orange flavor early on, now I just swallow the Walmart Calcium Citrate. I also take Walmart's Vitamin D.

3. Never used a binder. Did your doctor recommend this?

4. Didn't use a pillow to hold my stomach.

[Merry Mary]

1. Didn't buy a book so can't tell you if that's a good choice or not.

2. I use Bariatric Advantage chewable (mango or berry). They don't taste very good but work because my blood work has been in the normal range for calcium, Vitamin D, B12 and a host of other tests the doctor runs.

3. Didn't use a binder and it wasn't recommended. Unless the doctor requires it, why spend the money on something that will only fit for a short time.

4. I used a teddy bear instead of a pillow. You just need a small pillow to hold against your stomach. The hospital suggested it for the ride home from the hospital. Any kind of throw pillow would work fine.

[Shirl]

1. I bought the kindle version of Dr. Voung's book. I liked his approach to fully educate pre op and prepare you for post op. It was great for me since I had one of those sleeve'm and leave'm groups.

2. I started the Bariatric Advantage mv chewable a few months pre op. Hated it, but sucked it up pre and post op and still.

3. Have never heard of your binder, but I am a huge advocate of compression garments.

4. If you get a compression garment of sorts you won't need a pillow but always have a teddy bear on hand :-)

[lil_lisa]

I got the book, "The Big Book on Gastric Sleeve", it has everything you need to know from beginning to end. I take the chewy multivitamins, chewy calcium and since my iron is low, I take iron as well. I didnt use a binder. Hope all goes well for you.

[RehabNurse]

1. I never purchased any books that focused on bariatric surgery.

2. I take over-the-counter Centrum chewable vitamins. A three-month supply of Centrum costs about $8, whereas a three-month supply of overpriced bariatric vitamins costs $40+. My nutritional labwork is within normal limits.

3. I never used an abdominal binder. I think this is an unnecessary expense.

4. I never used or needed a pillow to brace my stomach. Your mileage may vary.

Good luck to you!

[Tamera2]

Save your money. I use chewable Womens Day or Centrum multi vitamins, natures bounty B12 sublingual vit. Chewable calcium by fusion. My blood work is doing great.
I didn't have much pain. Didn't need a binder or pillow or stuff animal to hold my stomach. I was walking 5-7 miles everyday by week 2. This surgery was way easier than I thought.
I saw a nutritionist and she gave me good handouts. Haven't needed any books. I also saw a therapist too.
Good luck to you. This as been an amazing ride. Can't get over how fast the weight is coming off. Down 99lbs‼️since January 2017‼️

[GigiUSA]

I have another question...I am worried about not doing it "right" ... water, vitamins, shakes... immediately after surgery once I'm released. I don't know if that makes sense or not? Was anyone else concerned about this?

[Shirl]

I have another question...I am worried about not doing it "right" ... water, vitamins, shakes... immediately after surgery once I'm released. I don't know if that makes sense or not? Was anyone else concerned about this?

Gigi, you will receive full instructions on food phases and what do 2-weeks, 1-week, and days prior to surgery. As well as what to do immediately after surgery. As long as you follow your instructions you will do amazing!

I used to think I over prepared, and maybe I did over think but you can never over prepare in my books. A lot things came in handy as I recovered the first 24-48 hours since I had Sleeve Gastrectomy outpatient surgery and was home like three hours post surgery. So I was scared and concerned as you.

Luckily for me my surgery and recovery was a breeze. I am grateful for that every single day.

When in doubt contact your surgeon's office. They are there to provide some support. While I say my surgeon's office is a sleeve'm and leave'm they did provided access to ER nurse 24/7. I bugged the hell out of her the first month lol!

[Kindle]

1. "The emotional first aid kit" by Cynthia Alexander
"Eat it up" by Connie Stapleton
"Get out of your head and into your life" by Steven Hayes (this is not bariatric specific, but a good read for general mental health issues....which is what obesity is)
"Life Without Ed" by Jenni Schaefer
"Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Dummies" and
"Feeling Good : The New Mood Therapy" by David Burns

2. I hated chewables and prefer whole food based vitamins rather than chemically synthesized ones. They contain probiotics, micronutrients and synergistic combinations that maximize absorption. I use Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women, Kind Organic Plant Calcium, and Vitamin Code Raw D. 3 1/2 years out with perfect labs.

3. I couldn't imagine wearing a binder postop. The last thing I wanted on my already bloated abdomen was more pressure!

4. Never used a pillow. I could sleep on my side and back from night one. I went shopping, travelled by plane and drove 5+ hours within 3 days of surgery with no problems.

[Kindle]

I have another question...I am worried about not doing it "right" ... water, vitamins, shakes... immediately after surgery once I'm released. I don't know if that makes sense or not? Was anyone else concerned about this?

My surgeon's office emailed me complete pre and postop instructions before I even went down to TJ. I was given a day by day meal plan, detailed vitamin recommendations as well as followup bloodwork orders to give to my PCP. I met with the nutritionist before surgery and went over everything in detail. She was also available via phone and email for any questions postop.

[GigiUSA]

Thank you all SO much. I really appreciate the info. I'm going to get the books and ditch the binder. This was not recommend by the surgeon just something I read. I can bring a small pillow and if I need it, I will have it. I will research the vitamins a little more too.

It really helps to talk it over (... as I am stepping down off the anxiety ledge hahaha) I really appreciate your support and time in replying to my questions. (Hugs)

[Christie13]

1. Never bought any books. You can access many good sites about the sleeve online for free. My favorite is ------> http://www.obesitycoverage.com/gastr...erence-manual/

2. All liquid and chewable vitamins were gross to me. I was back on pills as soon as I could.

3. I personally did not wear any compression garments. That is not to say that they are not good. If you are flying then I do recommend them. And also for your legs so either full length or at minimum knee high compression socks like runners wear. I still have those that I use for long overseas flights and it is very helpful for circulation and swelling.

4. No pillow to hold against my stomach but I did not travel for my surgery. I did use a body pillow to adjust my body to get comfortable post op.

Side note...one thing that I did find a lot of comfort in post op was a heating pad. Once again, I did not travel so mine is the kind you can just microwave. Not sure what you will have access to in Mexico, though. Through the months you do get random aches and pains from your body changing and I still like to use mine even now.

[Tamera2]

I have another question...I am worried about not doing it "right" ... water, vitamins, shakes... immediately after surgery once I'm released. I don't know if that makes sense or not? Was anyone else concerned about this?

Gigi you our having my surgeon! Dr Almanza's team will give you detailed instructions on how to eat for the first six weeks. If you follow his plan you will do great. Also the weightloss Agents are great at providing good info on what you'll need to bring. If you ever want to talk ask questions Send me a private message and I'll give you my number. I talk routinely with future patients and help answer questions. It easier to talk then write everything out. You will be in great hands. I got the best care from Dr Almanza and the entire team: the hospital is clean and nice and the OR is state of the art. Th hotel is very nice too. Beautiful pool area. Flowers should be in full bloom. You'll get great care there also. The area is very nic and safe, we walked all around and had no problem. Our driver took us shopping two days after surgery. We had a blast. If someone is going with you there is an amazing taco truck across the street. Everything in the stores seems to be way cheaper. You picked one of the best surgeons.

[Shirl]

2. I hated chewables and prefer whole food based vitamins rather than chemically synthesized ones. They contain probiotics, micronutrients and synergistic combinations that maximize absorption. I use Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women, Kind Organic Plant Calcium, and Vitamin Code Raw D. 3 1/2 years out with perfect labs.

So a couple of weeks ago I was at HEB market in Texas and I was checking out their vitamin and supplement isle and I found this chewable multivitamin, it was half of my Bariatric Advantage so I decided to buy and try it when I ran out. As Kindle mentioned I was looking for a more wholesome vitamin and After looking at all the ingredients I started taking it and rotate with other multivitamins because it is a chewable and the taste is not any better or worse than the Bariatric Advantage mv chewable, but it certainly has A LOT MORE to offer as Kindle mentioned about her whole food vitamins!!! By the way, I am a huge fan of Garden of Life products.

Look up NaturePlus Source of Life Gold Chewables

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