| Following weight loss surgery patients make a | | | | food) |
| multitude of adjustments in their lives to | | | | - Local maps |
| accommodate the dietary and nutritional needs of | | | | - Cell phone with chargersEmergency readiness |
| an altered gastric digestive system. Even if weight | | | | kits should provide water, food, clean air and |
| loss has long been accomplished patients who | | | | warmth for 72 hours. Keeping that in mind a |
| have undergone gastric bypass, gastric banding or | | | | "special needs" weight loss surgery patient should |
| gastric sleeve surgical procedures must, for the | | | | consider including the following items in their |
| rest of their life, maintain rigorous nutritional and | | | | personal readiness kit: |
| dietary habits in order to be healthy. After time | | | | - Vitamins and supplements for three days. |
| these adjustments feel like second nature to the | | | | Additional dosages of vitamins B and C may be |
| patient and even those around them. But in | | | | included to relieve stress and boost immunity. |
| preparing an emergency kit for use in the wake | | | | - Non-NSAID over-the-counter pain relief medicine. |
| of a natural or national disaster it is essential that | | | | Most surgical weight loss patients are discouraged |
| weight loss surgery patients treat themselves as | | | | from using NSAID medication for pain relief. Make |
| "special needs" and ensure their nutritional and | | | | sure acceptable OTC pain relief is included in the |
| dietary needs are provided for in the event the | | | | First aid kit. |
| emergency kit is put into service. | | | | - Vitamin fortified or protein fortified powder drink |
| Flood, fire, national disaster, or the loss of power | | | | mixes in individual packages. These are useful in |
| from high winds, snow, or ice frequently | | | | adding minerals and nutrients to the diet while |
| jeopardize the health and safety of thousands of | | | | stretching the water supply because when mixed |
| Americans each year. This year weather events | | | | with the water rations they provide hydration and |
| and natural disasters have been particularly harsh | | | | vitamin and mineral nutrition. |
| throughout the world and many thousands have | | | | - Ready-to-Drink (RTD) and Ready-to-Eat (RTE) |
| found themselves without food, shelter or | | | | protein drinks and protein bars. A weight loss |
| warmth. While we cannot prevent natural or | | | | surgery patient must have a minimum of 60 |
| national disasters we can assemble emergency | | | | grams protein per day for best health. Provide at |
| supply kits to improve our survivability when | | | | least 60 grams of dietary protein per day for |
| disaster strikes. | | | | three days of emergency use. |
| A well-prepared basic emergency supply kit will | | | | - Sugar free hard candy to supplement food |
| contain items to provide for the basics of survival: | | | | intake and keep the mouth moist. |
| fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. The | | | | - Additional bedding or clothing for warmth. Body |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | | | | temperature regulation is difficult for those having |
| recommends the following items be included in a | | | | lost body weight or body mass. Provide extra |
| basic emergency supply kit: | | | | items for warmth in the event of a disaster that |
| - Water, one gallon of water per person per day | | | | subjects the weight loss surgery patient to |
| for a least three days, for drinking and sanitation | | | | extreme cold or elements. |
| - Food, at least a three-day supply of | | | | - Emergency response information for the |
| non-perishable food | | | | treatment of a bariatric patient including contact |
| - Battery-powered or hand crank radio and NOAA | | | | numbers. Make this information readily available to |
| Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries | | | | first responders.Gather items for the emergency |
| for both | | | | preparedness kit in one location. Stow the items in |
| - Flashlight and extra batteries | | | | a portable duffel bag or plastic bin that is |
| - First aid kit | | | | accessible and labeled for easy access in the |
| - Whistle to signal for help | | | | event of an emergency. Ideally each household |
| - Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and | | | | member will have a kit tailored for their needs. |
| plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place | | | | Periodically check the kit and replenish items that |
| - Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties | | | | have expired. Make certain all contact information |
| for personal sanitation | | | | is current. It is not easy to think about facing a |
| - Personal hygiene items | | | | disaster, but should the day come when the |
| - Wrench or pliers to turn off utilitites | | | | emergency kit is needed a little preparation will go |
| - Can opener for food (if kit contains canned | | | | a long way in making a bad situation better. |