My Tips for Pre-OPs

Nov 03, 2011

Before surgery, I read EVERYTHING and researched like crazy....This site was terrific and filled with lots of different advice...Based on the advice I got here, I'm going to compile a list from hundreds of different threads I read and break down what actually made sense for me....your experience may be different...but these are my tips...

1.  Little dishes/utensils.....yes...good idea...but couldn't bring myself to buy baby/ toddler items...instead bought appetizer plates, appetizer forks & spoons, little storage cups w/ lids, 4 oz dessert bowls, 4 oz ramekins....use most of what I bought.

2. Sippy cups....wasn't necessary....used Bubba Keg w/ sipping lid...kept things cold and was easy to drink from without feeling ridiculous w/ a baby cup. Now I also use a Camelbak sports bottle...

3. Baby food....definitely a waste of money...bought a lot of it, and never ate any....

4. Quality blender....YES!....use it a lot....bought a top of the line Vitamix with easy QVC payments...definitely worth the extra cost.

5.  Weight loss/exercise before surgery...DO IT!...I am so glad I got a head start before surgery...I felt better & stronger..I recovered quickly, and my surgeon says I was easier to operate on....plus I will make goal a lot quicker...

6.  Food funerals....try to abstain.... know that you will eat your fave foods again in the future....and it could lessen your pre-op weight loss..I did have a couple of things...like a nice Outback steak and sweet potato but still managed to lose over 30 lbs pre-op.

7.  Bringing lots of stuff to hospital...don't bother....I didn't even go in my suitcase except right before discharge to shower and put on clean clothes...my hospital had nice little kits with all those things people recommend to bring like chapstick, slipper socks, body wash, ear plugs, eye mask, comb, lotions, etc and still didn't use most of the stuff...I slept or walked the halls...maybe an old comfy robe would have been nice, instead of just the hospital gowns doubled up. Honestly, I didn't care how I looked or smelled, didn't care to read books or go on computer.....it was all a haze.

8.  Clothes...you really will drop sizes quickly...no need to buy a lot at one time...it's best to just get by on minimal wardrobe...I bought 4-5 t-shirts, 2-3 bottoms and wore them constantly for about 2 months, then replaced...So I've done this 3x so far....I bought mostly at Old Navy, good prices and most items have stretch in them, so they lasted even when a little baggy. Luckily, I also had few things I held onto from my yo-yoing days, that I also had to wear at different stages...

9.  Food stages...don't obsess over them...and don't move quickly through them...I found that it was impossible to eat the amounts and types of foods the guidelines stated and I have a very good and conservative bariatric program...it's just that for my body, I had to take it even more slowly and I'm glad I did....I've never thrown up, gotten sick, or had the foamies. Remember, you will eat bigger quantity and more variety again...it is only temporary and though difficult, the time really does go by fast.

10.  Papaya enzymes...supposed to help when food gets stuck...while I never had food actually get stuck...I did feel an uncomforable feeling in my chest a couple of times probably from eating a bit too fast...I took a few of these chewables....not sure if it worked, or it just felt better with a few minutes passing anyway...

11.  Vitamins....lots of debate on the right vitamin brands and types...for me, the most important thing are ones you will want to take, so that you get them in...I find that I still hate swallowing pills, so chewables are a must and they should have a decent flavor without being chalky or making you nauseous...I love my Flinstones for that reason...they are tiny and I don't mind eating them twice a day....B12 in dropper form once a week is a breeze....Now the calcium has been more problematic...started with a chewable wafer, tastes chalky and so big, switched to carmel chews from Walmart, perfect tasting but realized it was carbonate, which is not absorbable, so then switched to a pill (petite Citracal) and it is too tough to swallow....just ordered caramel chewables from Bariatric advantage..hopefully, they will be just right.

12. Sleeping comfortably post op...some recommend recliners, some incline pillows...I got the incline wedge pillow 45 degree angle, and one designed to elevate legs, goes right under the knees...really worked like a charm...used for about 3 weeks post op. But the most important thing is holding a small pillow to your tummy when getting in and out of bed.

13.  Pain meds...immediately post op, take on a regular schedule before you feel the need...I waited too long a couple of times in the hospital and then the pain got really bad...after they took away the pump,  I had to ask the nurses for meds, so it took awhile & the wait time really sucked...also there's no need to be a martyr and try to get off them right away...I switched to liquid tylenol a few days post op, and I probably would have felt better those first 10 days,  had I used the stronger prescription drugs for a bit longer...

14.  Walking...is a definite must....do it as soon after surgery & as often, as possible...it does make you feel better, helps with healing, and prevents blood clots....The key is holding small pillow to your tummy while you walk....I did this everywhere from the hospital hallways, to Walmart, to the mall, down the street, until one day I didn't need the pillow anymore. Don't worry if people look at you funny! Who cares!

15. As mentioned, a small and firm pillow is a godsend...I found it quite necessary for car rides early post op...because those bumps in the road can hurt otherwise! Luckily, my hospital provided a cute,striped one...

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