Shopping for recovery

I am starting a grocery list for food and medical stuff to have on hand for after my surgery. What is recommended to eat during recovery? What meds, or supplies do I need from the pharmacy? I always have to be well prepared as of lately not able to do a full grocery shopping due to weakness and pain when pushing the cart. Thank goodness my husband does not mind doing the grocery shopping. I really hope the surgery gives back my life. I miss spending a day shopping and going out to lunch. Just walking across the parking lot is too much right now. So, what is on your grocery list for recovery?

Fresh vegetables and fruits. Prunes in case there are issues. Soups, crackers, etc. Snacking stuff like applesauce. My doc recommended that no fast food be eaten for at least the first couple of weeks post-op. I got stuff to make homemade chicken soup. That was really good. I felt like eating light was really all I wanted. Best wishes!!

Definately a light "clean" diet. Quick throw together meals that dont take alot of "tending to" time as you may not want to stand and cook for long periods of time. The "clean" diet will also help you with being pretty much more sedentary than up and about, and also with the bathroom issues. Make sure you have enough tylenol/motrin for after when you dont need the RX meds, and something to keep the BM going regular,,,and alot of ladies have raved about Gas-EX for the gas. I suffered through it,,but wish I had realized ahead of time to try it. Good luck

Colace or some kind of stool softener, soups, easy sandwich stuff, nothing to big or heavy. I am almost 4 weeks out and I still have very little appetite. Which I guess is good, as I have lost 15 pounds. Stay away from spicy or things that are hard to digest (corn, etc). Fruit juices can help with the BM issues as well, and my personal preference was cranberry juice as it also acted as a deterrent to a bladder infection following the catheter.

I was partial to yogurt and pudding, and crackers. Not much appetite for a couple wks. All the pain and bowel meds have been mentioned plus maybe prune juice. Whatever is easy to eat and fix for you will be good. Best wishes on your surgery.

Someone on the site recommended watermelon. I made sure there was some in the frig after I got home, and it tasted soo good. Cool and filling too.

Best of luck to you on your day!

I just got home today. I purchased Gas-X, stool softner, prune juice, apple sauce, cranberry juice, crackers, soup, yogart and bottled water in advance. My doctor says I need to drink lots of water. I have a good appetite and he said I can eat whatever I feel like eating. I am staying away from spicy foods though. I do have a lot of gas and the Gas-X is working well.

All of the ladies made some great recommendations above. I had a bag full of stuff that I took to the hospital. The only thing I used out of all of it and was so grateful to have was chapstick. I truly hope you feel better and get your life back. Please keep us posted when you feel up to it. Best wishes!

I made a ton of pre made meals and froze them. Anything I made for dinner, I just made extra to freeze and then made other things too. I took the recomendations of all the sisters and I am pretty good right now (one week post op) I got a ton of gatoraid and fruit juices, V8 fusion and even ensure and pedialyte. Lots of fesh fruit and yogurt. Gas X and colace are my bff's still.
Good luck!

Only thing I could add would be a book of word puzzles, or something like that to pass time & help clear the mind for sleep. A small notebook & colorful pens to make lists of questions for the Dr, & people who call or visit, or send gifts, thank you notes & stamps, if you are a note writer. A small pillow to hug when you laugh, cough, or sneeze.

Any low fat, low spice snacks that you like that come in small portions. I craved fresh fruit. Yogurt is good for getting the bowels back to functioning.