Re: stocking-up on post-op food: LIST FOR YOU

[Guest guest]

list of food for post-op:

Water (lots of it)

Apple Juice (preferably non-concentrate so that you can get all the

good nutrients)

Pineapple juice (if you like it, it has enzymes that helps reduce

swelling and releases liquids trapped in the body)

Chicken or vegetable broth

Eggs to beat into your broth for extra protein

V-8 if you like V-8 (I don't)

Boost or Ensure (try some flavors first though because I found them

really TOOOOO sweet for my taste, chocolate is the best)

A blender (this is a must in my opinion)

Ready-made smoothies that you can find in the supermarket

Boxes of tissues and paper napkins to wipe yourself with when you eat

Plastic cups to drink out of (they're softer than glass cups)

Baby Gerber food (try it first, not everyone likes it)

The first things I drank post-op was a two glasses of water and a cup

of apple juice. This was 12 hours post-op. I was SOOOOO thirsty! My

first liquid meal consisted of plain old chicken broth. I've lost a

lot of my appetite since surgery. Now on day 6 post-op I've lost 9 lbs

which is a lot for me in so short a time. It takes time for the

appetite to come back and for me at least, some of the things I really

usually like to eat I can't stand the site of right now. For example,

I thought I would love to eat ice cream non-stop and instead I can't

stand the thought of it. So my biggest advice is be prepared for your

food taste to change for a while post-surgery and try to have someone

on hand that can go in the supermarket for you and explore new food

options if you don't like what you have at home.

Your doctor should prescribe a mouth wash that you will need to use

post-op to help clean those stitches that you will have in the mouth

and also keep the mouth clean as best as possible. I use Periodex

(yucky taste but my mouth sure feels clean after.) I also rinse

everyone once in a while with hydrogen peroxide diluted in water.

Yucky taste again but it cleans. I use a baby toothbrush to clean my

teeth with. I'm hoping that as of this coming week my surgeon will

give me the ok to use a waterpik on the softest option.

Hope this helps!

Sara

> I am having lower jaw surgery in a couple of weeks. although I have

> been reading the messages here and have some idea of what I should

> expect to eat after surgery, I need help with getting all the food i

> need for atleast 1 week after my surgery.

> Also, can someone give me some idea of the experience of the first

> meal after surgery and after how long were you able to eat.

>

> And what exactly should I buy to help me through my first week?

> alcohol free mouth-wash, ensure, boost.....drinking cup..zip-n

squeeze

> bag?

> Is there a list that I can follow and see what would work for me or

> not? I want to make sure I can make myself as much comfortable as

> possible

>

> Thanks,

> Namrita.