I am looking forward to the ObesityHelp 2013 National Conference this October. I have been a member of ObesityHelp.com for 10 years and this will be my 8th ObesityHelp Conference. I have learned so much through my experience with ObesityHelp, and met some AWESOME people like Melting Mama and Eggface. 

My thoughts on the YWM Inaugural Convention, why I chose to attend and how much I enjoyed the experience.

Join me this year in Phoenix: http://www.ywmconvention.com/ Hurry, register early to save and be entered for a chance to win a FREE three-night stay at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa.

Neck Pillow (Thank Goodness I had this!  I was so much more comfortable!)

Extra pillow or little travel pillow

List of friends and family phone numbers.

I took PJ’s but could never quite figure out how to get into them, plus I kept bleeding all over the hospital gowns and I figured, better they wash than me. 

Extra Underwear with some little panty liners (I felt much more comfortable walking the halls with underwear on beneath those gowns -and I wore 2 gowns for extra modesty as well).  I pulled the undies down under my tummy in front.

A loose sleep type bra.  I didn’t put mine on until I went home, because I was too out of it to figure out how.  It would have been easy though…my husband was there with me and he has no experience with putting bras on so he wasn’t any help.  When we finally got it on for me to go home, he put it on me inside out.  Oh well!  I ended up rolling up a washcloth and putting it one under each of the girls while I was in the hospital.   They stayed in place just fine and made me feel a lot better.

Lip goop – Chapstick, Lypsyl, something like that.  The lips get really dry.

Toothbrush and toothpaste.  I forgot and didn’t think to ask the nurse until the final day.

Comb and something to pull back your hair if it is long.\

Some disposable washclothes/makeup remover cloths.  Whenever I got greasy I could just reach over and wipe my face off.    And I was on a catheter the first day, so that helped a lot.  (Use a little plastic beauty case to stuff those things you want close at hand, to have it right on your bedside table).

Going home clothes – you are not going to want anything on your tummy.  I bought a really loose pair of pants, not realizing that my poor tummy was going to be all distended with gas, so I pulled them down in front and luckily had a long hanging down blouse.  I would rather have had a loose summer muu muu.

Your medecines.  Yes, they will give you what you need, but having the bottle right there could save you from any confusion.  Also, I needed eye drops and they never brought those to me, but the surgeon said to continue them and I was glad I was able to.

Wet Wipes (Cottonelle, something like that).  The very last thing I did right before leaving the hospital, was to pass gas…or at least I thought it was going to be gas.  It wasn’t.  Cleaning up was a bit difficult due to the pain and not being able to twist as well as usual.  The underwear went right into the trash, got some on my loose capris (I just washed with soap and water in the sink and wore them anyway- I didn’t have another choice!  Thank Goodness it is July!)  I had not even considered that this might happen, since they said it was normal to be constipated after, and you may not have a bowel movement for 5 or 6 days and if you don’t, you must do something to make it happen.   But I have had problems with diarrhea for 15 years, ever since I had my gallbladder removed.  So this probably has never happened to anyone else but me…but just be aware -you can’t run to the bathroom…you can only stroll very very slowly to the bathroom!

I also have stocked up on chewable multi-vitamins with iron, which I will be taking twice a day; and on chewable calcium in various types (I will be taking 1500 mg per day); and on ADEKS (water soluble source of Vitamins A, D, E and K, which I will be taking 3 times per day).  I have a whole folder full of information about helpful websites, support groups, nutritional information, protein sources, bariatric products and suggested coping skills.

As far as the pantry goes, I am preparing for 3 weeks of liquids only, and soft foods for another 3 weeks after that.  I bought a pack of 3 ounce bathroom cups, because my new stomach will initially be able to hold LESS than that!  Amazing – from a football to a tiny bathroom cup.  I also bought some ice cube trays.  While I am eating tiny portions, I can freeze extras and pull them out later, thus getting more variety into my diet.

I will be eating soupy drippy foods for those first 3 weeks, so I have some chicken broth to add to make things soupier.  And I have some baby food (stage 1) which has already been strained.  I never fed my baby store bought baby food – I never dreamed I would be buying it for myself!  I have heard that the fruits are the best choices, with vegetables a decent second choice.  I have a few soups – Lentil, Black Bean, Butternut Squash, which I can puree in the blender.   I also have some “Any Whey” (what a great name!) that can be added to hot or cold foods to boost protein content.   I bought a pack of tuna and salmon in the foil packs, packed in water.  These will also have to be blended up and made soupy of course, but they should taste decent and will introduce my tummy to meats again.   Fat free refried beans and lots of sugar free jellos are also in the pantry, with some PowerAde Zero, Protein Water and Crystal Lite.

Beyond the drippy menu described above, I will be drinking lots and lots of protein drinks – I have to get in at least 60 grams of protein per day to keep my body going while my stomach and intestines recover.  The guidelines I have are to look for at least 12 grams of protein per 100 calories.  Here’s what I have:

Any Whey- one scoop equals 70 calories and 17 grams protein

FruitWell Designer Whey Protein-2Go.  These are individual packs (I got orange-mango flavor) that can be mixed with water – from 4 to 12 ounces, depending on how you like the flavor.  Each pack has 50 calories and 10 grams of protein.

Unjury – Chicken Soup flavor – one pack contains 90 calories and 21 grams of protein.  I have tried this and it is very good and kind of comforting to have a warm drink.  And the quality of the Unjury protein is reputed to be excellent.  They have lots of other flavors and their web site has some recipe/cooking suggestions as well.

Nectar Fruit Juice Flavored (by Syntrax) 90 calories, 24 grams protein.  I haven’t tried this yet but I hear that the fruit flavors appeal to many people.

Bariatric Advantage High Protein Meal Replacements – I have a few of each flavor to try out.  2 scoops or one packet has 140 calories and 27 grams of protein.

I also purchased some Neutra Air and Oust.  I hope that will help with the expected bathroom odors that come with this operation.   I have been searching for Ozium in local stores, I finally found it at Ace Hardware!  I also got a purse size container of orange citrus spray.   Striking a match can also be helpful in the bathroom.

Some of the Food I have stocked