Question:
Scheduled for Lap RNY on Monday march 27th and have a few last minute questions????
ok I have to ask, suggestion's on what to take to the hospital? Also I won't have access to my computer until I come back to work on April 24th so if anyone has any advise or suggestion's for the first 4 weeks after surgery, things you wish you knew about ahead of time? Any advice or personal experiance is greatly appreciated and very welcome!!!!! So anyone have anything to say about there first few weeks to tide me over until i can get back to this site would be great!!!! — HAILEY (posted on March 22, 2006)
March 22, 2006
GET OUT AND GET MOVING AS SOON AS YOUR IN YOUR ROOM! This minimzes
bloodclot risks. Visit a public library near your home and let us know how
you are doing! Dont wait a month! Congrats WLS was the best decision I EVER
made!
— bob-haller
March 22, 2006
Bring some slippers to walk the halls in. Oh and as embarrassing as it is,
it is very difficult to whipe your own butt after, however the lady next to
me told me to ask for some tongs..heheh sounds funny but if you ask for
some tongs it spares you the embarrasment of having staff wipe your rear.
stick the paper in the end it gives you the extra two inches you need..hehe
i know its sound terrible but it was a life saver. For when you get home I
would prepare pureed food aswell. If you take small portions from dinners
till then and grin them you can put them in a ice cube tray one ice cube is
1table spoon its pretty handy. then you can pop them out and heat them up
as you need them. Best Wishes and Good Luck. Feel free to email if you ever
have any questions [email protected]
Sarah
— sweber111
March 22, 2006
Hi Hailey. I am three weeks post op and I asked a similar question to this
right before my surgery too. I didn't get a lot of responses but I do have
some suggestions that you might want to do.
Go and buy different sugar free things such as pudding, jello, popsicles
and a few cream soups. You won't want to do this after surgery for a few
days. I also prepared a living will and durable power of attorney for
health care. Also, take pictures from every side with as little clothing
on as possible (for your own use) and with a favorite outfit so that you
can compare it later on. Take your measurements - every area you can
measure do it. A couple of weeks after surgery when you get a little
discouraged taking your measurements again will give you a huge boost of
determination.
As for the hospital. I didn't have any trouble wiping pre-op but if you do
the tongs are great because you get really uncomfortable twisting. I took
my own pillow and then requested two from the hospital. I would put one
under my head and then one each under my arms so they wouldn't hang down.
I also took a robe and slippers. I took a book to read and read every
night (but I am a passionate reader). One of the best things I took was
one of those xlarge ziploc bags (or a grocery bag) to carry my stuff in
when I was released. The pillow also helps on the ride home. Remember to
ask for pain reliever just before your release, it will help on the ride
home.
I hope this helps you. Just know that it will be okay and you will do
fine. God bless you in this journey.
— jeanfergus
March 22, 2006
First of all, don't become invested in the roll of a "sick
person" after surgery. As stated before - get moving! The sooner, the
better, the more, the better. Don't forget to take lip balm (hospital air
is notoriously dry). Slippers you can slip your feet into without having to
reach down, and non-slip soles. Send your purse with everything in it home.
I only took my insurance card and my driver's license (picture ID) and left
everything else at home, and gave those two items to my husband after I
was checked in. At home - my two most important items were the
Mini-Cuisenart (sp?) for making pureed food, and my electric coffee cup
warmer - perfect for keeping things warm while I slowly but surely ate the
foods I was supposed to. As for the hospital - leave all your valuables at
home. If you get moving, you won't be there more than 2 days, so don't drag
a lot of stuff along. Just some toiletries and so forth. You aren't going
on vacation. Don't forget comfortable, non-binding clothes to wear home. I
took home an extra 15 lbs of fluid, and my skin felt 2 sizes too small.
Glad I had loose pants and a loose shirt to wear home. Oh, yeah, I had
packed my "after surgery" bag and left that locked in the trunk
of the car. After I was on my way to surgery, I had my husband take the bag
with my belongings to the car, and bring back the small bag I packed for
after surgery, so it was with him when they took me to my room, and I
didn't have to worry about anything getting lost as they moved me around in
the hospital. Good luck and hope all goes well!
— koogy
March 22, 2006
Ditto everything said. For a soap and shampoo I used the Johnson &
Johnson all in one and it was liquid and gentle on the skin. It was easier
to take to the shower. The only thing I wish I would have done different
was filled the prescription for the liquid pain medication. I was given it
one time at the hospital during the day and refused anymore after that due
to the groggy feeling. I really needed it for sleeping but if you chose or
forget you will survive, I did. On buying food buy a small amount for the
sugar free items and anything else or freeze the items in the freezer as
suggested it is unbelievable how little it takes to survive. I did pack a
book and magazines but due to pain medication was unable to stay up for
very long. Since I was single and didn't want friends at the hospital I
had a large bag with everything in it but if you can just pack what you
think you need and keep it in the car or have it taken home it is one less
thing to worry about. I wore the same outfit to the hospital that I wore
home since I knew I would be in it less than an hour before surgery-big and
baggy and easy to put on. I also had slide on sneakers.
Before the surgery admit I cleaned my shelves of things I knew I would no
longer be able to eat. It helped me break the habit of always looking in
the cabinets for something to eat since I know what I can't eat. Being
single, I also did a major house cleaning i.e. empty garbage cans in the
house, catch up on laundry and put away. I tend to get bored when I have
nothing to do and this keep me from doing stuff around the house that I
shouldn't do during recovery and let me walk when ever I felt bored.
I wish I had had some of the suggestions (freeze portions of pureed items)
for myself. Since I was unable to read or watch TV I walked in the
hospital in the morning, noon, and night which helped more than anything.
Good Luck and don't stress about the small stuff.
— 1968 Loser
March 22, 2006
Hey there!!! First of all Congrats on making the most important decision
for your health. I am now 1 month post-op and I feel wonderful. I had
surgery on Feb. 20 and got out of the hospital on the 22nd , went back to
work Feb.27. If you have a secretarial job and don't really have to lift
you might ba able to return to work if you feel up to it. With the
laproscopic bypass your recovery time is much quicker than one with an open
procedure. If you look at my stomach now you wouldnt even be able to tell
I had the procedure. I lost 25 lbs the 1st 2 weeks and will be going back
next week for an update. I am so excited for you. As far as what you will
need for the hospital I took a robe and slippers, your regular toiletries.
The first 2 weeks post-op I pretty much ate alot of sugar free jello and
pudding as well as popsicles and my protein shakes. The most important
thing is to get enough fluids those first few weeks. If you have any other
questions that you can think of please feel free to email me. I am here
for ya. Good Luck!!!
— almcdowell
March 23, 2006
Hey Congrats on your surgery date. I agree with all the other posters. I
personally used a wooden spoon instead of tongs, a definite life saver, I
also bought mylecon drops, it is anti gas meds for babies. this helped with
the gas after surgery during recovery at home. I brought a list of phone
numbers with me, in case I felt like talking to someone, with them written
down I didn't have to think real hard (the pain meds made my memory a
little fuzzy). Bring a large safety pin, or ask the nurses for one, so you
can attach the drain to your gown or a lanyard, makes it easier for the
walking. I also took antibacterial hand lotion, in case I couldn't get up
to wash my hands. LOL....okay good luck and keep us posted.
Lisa hackenburg 340+/172/???
— Lisa H.
March 25, 2006
Hey Hailey - First off congratulations on your upcoming surgery! Exciting
huh?! I am only 1 week post op so my advise is pretty raw. My best friend
in the hospital were my furry slippers and robe, along with some short
night gowns. It gave me sense of home and comfort. I also had my surgery
Lap, and as much as it may be difficult to get up you must get up as soon
as you can. I had mine on Thursday, and was up walking by Saturday. Walk as
much as you can!!! It will help your recovery SO much. Oh, and don't let
your pain get out of control. You have pain meds for a reason. Too much
pain could hinder your recovery efforts.
When you get home protien shakes, sugar free popcicles (A MUST), pureed
foods, Jello, and Pudding would be a great start. I found the colder the
food, the more soothing it feels. Popcicles are really a great way to get
liquids in and feel really good going down. If you have any questions or
just need a friend to talk to don't hesitate to EMail me! Good luck and God
bless! This will all work out just fine for you! - Kristine (
[email protected] )
— kristine76
March 26, 2006
buy a nice used computer, dont need much to surf the net, the bargain
pakage ones will be fine.
— walter A.
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