Question:
How do I prepare for surgery?
I'm scheduled for surgery December 16, 2003 and I want to get as prepared as I can before going into the hospital. What vitamens, Protein powders, soups, babyfood, dressing materials (for your wound). I want to pick up everything before so that I won't have my great husband running around trying to find these things after I get home and I'm miserable. I live over 2 hours away from the hospital where I'm having my surgery. Should this be of concern on the trip home? Thanks in advance for your help! — glensjtarr (posted on October 10, 2003)
October 10, 2003
My surgery day is November 11th. And basically...I'm buying low sodium
chicken brooth by the case, Flintstones vitamins, sugar free jello and
popsicles. If your surgeon is closing you with staples, you probably won't
need a dressing except if you want to keep the staples from snagging on
your clothes. That is not a cool feeling. I personally would hold off on
baby food purchasing until you are a week out...just to see how you are
feeling. I've been warned that tastebuds can be drastically effected by
the surgery and what we can tolerate now might not work after the fact. As
far as soups go, you want low salt, low carb, nothing with dairy in it or
beef (not right at the start). Best bet is chicken brooth. And protein
stuff...I have no idea what to get either. My nutrionist suggested
Carnation Instant breakfast (low fat, no sugar kind) but warned me that I
might not like it. As for stuff to take to the hopstial...BRING CHAPSTICK!
You're going to need it. Bring slippers that you can get on and off
without bending over. Loose fitting underware and pants because you're
belly will be enlarged due to the fluids they pump you full of. I went out
and bought a pair of sweat pants that literally fall off me now. Bring a
pillow and blanket for the ride home. I too, live far from my hospital.
Purchase a water bottle with oz on the side and bring it with you every
where. Don't know what else to suggest. If I'm feeling up to it, I'll
post some thoughts in my profile on what I ended up using after my surgery.
GOOD LUCK!
— Renee B.
October 10, 2003
Glenda, I would buy to much stuff until after you are home. Just get some
basic things,because you really don't know what you can and cannot handle
after surgery. Have a bottle of chewable mutivitam with iron(I use Bugs
bunny complete) Calcium Chews, and sublingual B12. Before surgery you
should try a number of protein drinks to see what you like,then again after
syrgery your taste may change. I use Worldwide sports nutrition pure
protein(vannilla nad chocolate). At the beginning you may be on a liquid
diet or be able to puree your food,But you may want to have SF
jello,chicken broth and other foods with protein in them,but remember don't
buy to much because you might never end up using it. When I left the
hospital they gave me a week's worth of dressing changes. Hope this helps.
— jwd430
October 10, 2003
I had my surgery 12/23/02. Your surgeon's office should give you a list of
things to have on hand at home. My first week --sugar free jello,
popsickles, chicken boulian, crystal light. Later everything went into
the blender---low fat TV dinners, s/f pudding, blue bunny yogart Wendy's
Chille. I think I was on liquids for two weeks then pureed foods,then soft
foods. I began eating regular foods at six weeks. I had everything in the
house prior to surgery and it worked out well. I took lots of things I
didnt need to the hospital--they gave us deodorant, power, lotion, tooth
paste and more. Check with your hospital. Take a fan with you, CD and
head phones, magazines,be prepared in case you start your period--I started
the evening of my surgery, 2 weeks early! Have friends and relatives phone
numbers with you in case you want to tell them you are still alive
---everyone was sure I would die! Walk --no matter how bad you feel --its
the only thing that helps. I had an open rny --my trip home was five
hours. Stop every 45 minutes or so and get out and walk around, maybe ask
for a pain pill before you leave the hospital. Have a comfortable outfit
--large sweats and a big top to go home in. I put on my makeup and did my
hair before leaving the hospital ---I felt much better --try to have the
attitude that you are not sick --you gave yourself a second chance. I'm
down 117lb and I feel wonderful.
— debmi
October 10, 2003
I can send you the program we use here privately, if you'd like.
— vitalady
October 10, 2003
I AGREE WITH OTHER POSTER...DON'T BUY TOO MANY THINGS BEFORE SURGERY
BECAUSE YOUR TASTES CHANGE...AS TO GOING HOME**I LIVE 1 1/2 HRS FROM MY
HOSPITAL..I WEIGHED 445 BEFORE SURGERY & I"M 55 YRS OLD & I
FELT LIKE A MILLION BUCKS ON THAT HOUR & 1/2 RIDE HOME...GOOD LUCK***
— BLSLIM77
October 10, 2003
I wouldn't stock up too much. I spent an extra week in the hospital,
passed through the clear liquid stage entirely. I still have 15 cans of
broth in the cupboard. You can buy some sugar free ice pops, crystal
light, sugar free pudding mix, protein powder, but I wouldn't stock up too
much on stuff. Your tastes change after surgery.
— mrsmyranow
October 10, 2003
Talk with your surgeon about what you'll be eating and for how long. I was
only on liquids (full) for a week after leaving the hospital and then went
on to soft foods. Never did baby food at all or pureed. You also need to
ask the doctor about vitamins and supplements. I started out on
Flintstones Chewables with Iron and Tums. I started Prenatal vitamins at 2
months post-op and them went to Citracal for calcium. Every doctor has
his/her own ideas about post-op eating and supplements. The one thing I
found invaluable the week I was on full liquids was V8 Juice - that and
popsicles (sugar free) were the only things that tasted good to me.
— Patty_Butler
October 10, 2003
I'm still preop and don't have a surgery date yet. Someone recommended to
me to get baby spoons (I got disposable ones)and either a coffee or baby
food warmer (since it takes so long to eat).
— ssundlee
October 10, 2003
I agree with most here ... don't stock up on too much ... the sugar free
popsicles, yogurt, V8, cottage cheese, etc. worked the best ... PLUS ... I
liked to see my husband running out to get me stuff (but that wore off real
quick when he found out I was able to move around myself ... ha!)
— Karyn B
October 10, 2003
SKIP THE BABY FOOD!!!! It tastes horrible. If you are not sure, buy one jar
now and try it. The fruits are not bad, but veggies and meats are awful -
once you taste it you will know why babies make faces when they eat :-) I
had my surgery in VA and I live in Baltimore. I had no problem with the
ride home except for an asthma attack, which had nothing to do with the
surgery. Best wishes to you!
— M B.
October 10, 2003
I would just get a few essentials, jello, broth, S/F popsicles, it all
depends on what your diet will be like after surgery too, all surgeons are
different.
At the hospital, I really enjoyed my pillow, robe, slippers, chap stick
& I don't think I would have lived if my hubby wouldn't have went home
& got my small portable fan! OHHHH AND I ALSO NEEDED ......my hair
brush & that spay in conditioner stuff (i still don't know what they
did to my hair) I had the BIGGEST rats-nest of all time!
— Saxbyd
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