about food...I prepared soft foods...I made and froze squash, applesauce, bought lowfat frozen turkey gravy (to go with whipped potatoes), yogurt, made egg custard, and stocked up with Carnation Instant Breakfast. As it turns out, my surgeon was very liberal with his eating policy, and at 5-6 days post-op he told me I could eat "anything that could be chewed to a liquid." I used my soft foods for the first few days, but after that I just experiemented with regular foods and had very good luck just taking small bites and chew, chew, chewing until whatever it was became a creamy, smooth "liquid" consistency. If whatever it was didn't chew to a liquid, I deposited it in a handy paper napkin. It worked perfectly. I never even had one Carnation Instant breakfast packet. Go figure!
Be sure to have liquid Tylenol handy to take when you no longer need narcotic pain meds. Also, you might want some chewable Gas-X, and BEANO to take before any gassy foods. Above all, be sure your surgeon or PCP gives you anti-nausea drugs to have available in case you're nauseous post-op. Vomiting or retching at that early stage is very dangerous to your wrap. You'll want to be prepared.
I had Zofran (dissolvable tabs) and Compazine suppositories (worked best for me), and I still carry them in my purse wherever I go. I've had two vomiting bugs in the nearly 4 years since my surgery, and both of them snuck up on me. Each time I vomited once (yes, once it got past the wrap, I could vomit) but took the meds right after that and stopped any further assaut to the wrap.
Best wishes,
Denise