Question:
Last minutes questions?
Does anyone have any last minute suggestions for a Pre-Op who is 2 weeks from surgery date? Anything at all would be helpful...(things I should have ready at home? things to eat or not to eat a few days before surgery? list of things to bring with me to hospital?) Thanks!!!!! — J. W. (posted on October 9, 2002)
October 9, 2002
I am 3 weeks away from surgery and diffently buy a lite weight bathrobe to
take with you to hospital and have a nice last meal befor you take the
bowel cleaner the night befor surgery.
— sheri B.
October 9, 2002
hi there! congrats on your upcoming surgery. im thinking of you and hope
all goes smooth. i made sure i had all my femine products ready becuase i
knew there might be a chance my body would wack out and id get my period
again and sure enough i was right so if this happens to you dont worry its
totally normal. have some broths on hand they go down pretty smooth. have
some small cups on hand like the ones on the top of an elixer bottle as
these are 1 oz and they make for easy measuring of food, liquid and easy
clean up. have chap stick ready. i and others i know suffered severe
chapped lips and dry skin so have your favorite lotion on hand as well.may
sugar free popsicles too.wet wipes to help keep yourself clean if your just
not up to a shower yet.and definetly enjoy some of your favorite foods just
before as you will not be eating them for a while after.and some advice,
you may be in pain at fist, the meds may make you a crazy wreck,you may
think youll never be normal again. you may wonder what you did to yourself.
trust me this is all normal but let me assure you it will pass and your
ganna be amazed! give yourself a good three months to fully bounce back and
to really see the new you emerging! best of luck to you.
— carrie M.
October 9, 2002
For the hospital...TONGS...for reaching your tushie, wet wipes for
cleanliness,your favorite lotion and lip balm, toiletries, neck pillow,
slippers, robe, feminine hygene products(if your so inclined)and someone to
push the morphine button while your sleeping!!!! HOME...Your favorite S.F.
puddings and jellos,different kinds of allowable drinks(the ones I liked
before I dispise now)cream soups, instant mashed potatoes, instant dry
milk(to mix into everything for extra protein) S.F. carnation instant
breakfast,popcicles and someone to keep you company!!!
— Deanna_K
October 9, 2002
Bring Chapstick to the hospital.
— Amber L.
October 9, 2002
In addition to the things mentioned below, I'd say have your house clean,
laundry done and groceries (especially toilet paper) all bought and put
where you can reach them easily. That way you don't have to run out to the
store. Sugar free popsicles were great since I was always thirsty after
surgery. I took a small fan with me to the hospital which was a good call.
I was HOT after my surgery. In fact, the nurses tried to come take my fan
because the other patients were hot and I said No Way! I wore my slippers
I took with me but I didn't wear the robe I bought for myself. I was
covered fine with my hospital gown. My hospital room only had a few
channels on tv so I was bored. I had taken some magazines and a puzzle
book with me. The hospital had a walkman I could use so the one I brought
with me didn't get used once. Yes, do take chapstick with you. It was a
life saver! I would suggest eating lightly at least the last 2 days so
when you do your bowel prep, you're not getting rid of tons of food stuff!
I ate lightly the last 5 days before my surgery and my bowel prep was a
piece of cake. ;o) Good luck on your surgery!
— Jennifer A.
October 9, 2002
Eat all you can now! Whatever you want and as much as you want. It never
will be the same again. Then make sure you rent a hospital bed for a couple
weeks after surgery. It will be one of the best things you can do for
yourself if you have an open rny. Make sure you take a robe that fits you
(duh? lol). The one at the hospital left my fanny flapping in the wind
while I walked. I like to sleep with my bedroom slippers on so I took them.
I took magazines to read. But one mistake I made was to try to save money
by getting a semi private room. BIG MISTAKE I'LL NEVER MAKE AGAIN. Those
bleeping room mates kept the tv on all day and night. I'm not kidding. It
was NEVER off. For three days and nights I could'nt sleep. From now on I
will ALWAYS get a PRIVATE ROOM. Read my profile for a WLS hospital stay
from Hell. Also, I wish someone had mentioned getting a binder to put
around my stomach. That would have made everything so much easier. I regret
not having one. As far as what to eat when home well I bought tons of
expensive juices... and I could'nt drink them as they were to sweet. What a
waste of money. I was to be on a liquid diet for 7 days post op and I lived
on ice pops. (Yeah there was "some" sugar in them but not much).
I desired cold drinks and those ice pops went down great plus it was
something to chew on. Oh and as far as the bowel prep... perhaps I was the
only one that it was not required from. Lucky me. lol
— Danmark
October 9, 2002
Good Luck on your surgery! Be sure to have childrens chewable vitamins w/
iron, chewable calcium tablets,
I enjoy the carnation sugarfree choc. breakfast drink
lactaid free milk, and flavor is what I wanted try KNORR
soup french onion or leeks flavor (Strain) delicious!
My hubby helped me the first 3 days home get up. After that
I had a folding chair by the bed or chair to help me stand worked
well.Remember to walk often daily you will recover
faster, I have 5 children so I had to recover lol!Also
monitor your temperature and wear your binder. If you start
to leak don't panic its just liquid fat, it will heal up.
Good Luck and God Bless You!if you need support after e-mail me
at:[email protected] BETH
— Elizabeth C.
October 10, 2002
One thing I'm glad that I did was NOT take a robe. I know a lot of people
really liked having theirs there though. Instead, I asked for an extra
hospital gown and wore it open in the front as a robe. The advantage being
that with the snaps on the sleeves, I could easily wear it with the IV.
The only other things I needed at the hospital were the tongs, chapstick,
toothbrush and paste, slippers, and the company was nice. I took several
books to read, but was unable to concentrate due to the pain meds. OH,
yeah, take a flavor of sugar free gum that you like. My dr had me chewing
gum a day before I could have anything to drink. I'm glad I brough my gum
b/c the hospital only gave me bubblegum flavor which I hate. You'll be
great friends with the mouth swabs that they give you to help keep your
mouth from getting so dried out. Can't think of anything else to tell you.
Good luck and God bless.
— Jenni K.
October 10, 2002
My doctor doesn't allow gum, so you better check with your doc. Also, the
mouth swab mad me nauseated. I wish I had brough a fan, because the
compression stockings kept me so warm. The hospital provided a fan, but
charged me 6.00 per day for the use. Definitely need chapstick.
— juvpd
October 10, 2002
Alana... they are to use to use (with something wrapped on of course) to be
able to reach around our fat fannies to be able to wipe ourselves after
going to the bathroom. Thankfully I never used any... however I about broke
my back trying to reach around my cheeks to clean myself! Thankfully it was
no effort in just a mere two weeks post op! :)
— Danmark
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