surgery april 7th and need some advice

HelloJanuary rebirthdays just a few questions for the ones that have had surgery that is why I am here..... what can I buy to prepare for surgery ie...... food, hospital attire, should I start my post-op eating habits now any kind of hints would be greatly appreciated Thank you all that respond Lisa

Hi Lisa, Going thru our old posts of early January should give you a lot of ideas. We discussed all your queries at length. In a nutshell: Dont buy too much of anything because what you like today you wont like then and there's no way you'll consume as much as you think, either. i think we all have cans of chicken broth that will make their way to a food pantry. (Diluted) juice, tea work wonders. Ask your dr ahead of time if they want you to take gel tabs or liquid tylenol. Milk of Magnesia is a good friend to many but see if this is on your dr's list. Dont bring much to the hospital, they provide everything. You dont need a robe or pj's (cant get it on with the IV's) and will be too strung out to read or do anything. Loose clothes are critical for the ride home. Be mentally ready to give yourself at least 2 weeks to relax and heal. Acknowledge and embrace this as your down time, accept and enjoy your time sleeping 12-15 hours a day coupled with lots of TV. And know that it will be slow for the two weeks following that. But it all passes and great things happen and are beyond that. Follow your surgeon's pre diet not the post, there's a method to the madness and how/when your body goes into starvation mode, thus starting your WL program. Everyone had different approaches based on surgeon technique and individual health needs. I was an 'eat everything possible' person up to 48 hours out, others had weeks of liquids in advance. It all depends. And dont overload on chicken broth and SF jello before you have to! Keep positive thoughts, start to focus on new behaviours (like chewing, measuring out foods, drinking lots of water very slowly). And get into a walking program, that's a critical part from 2 hours post surgery onward. Hope these broad thoughts help, feel free to write directly with any other questions. Best wishes for your journey into a new life, Tiffany

Tiffany, thank you so much for the advice I will look at all yalls old posts and get some more great ideas that has helped me alot thanks for the support. Lisa

I agree with everything Tiffany posted. Just one thing to add - have whoever picks you up at the hospital bring a pillow for the ride home. I held it against my stomach for the bumps and it really helped make the ride home much more comfortable. A definite yes to not buying too much ahead of time - condensed tomato soup was on my post op list - ate one or two cans of it and now have about 8 cans in my cupboard that will never see the light of day (looking at them gets me ill) so don't stock up because the amount you eat is stunningly different pre and post, and there's no predicting what you will have a taste for and what will make your stomach turn just thinking about it. Good luck! Eileen

The only thing I brought with to the hospital that I would recommend and never go back without is Carmex. It is so darn dry there I don't know what I would have done without it. Other's like chapstick or blistick. I like my carmex. Other than that your doctor's office should give you instructions to follow. Every surgeon is a little different - just follow their instructions, keep a positive attitude and you will do just great!

you should get sugar free drinks, low salt broth chicken or beef, iso pure. if you use any juice cut it 50/50 with water. your dr might have you on a clear liquid diet first few weeks. get your vitamins (children chewables or liquid) and calcuim chewables. for hospital attire bring something loose fitting and walk as soon as possible after surgery it helps alot. walk as much as possible good luck see you on the losing side. dave

thank you all for your advice and great support I will check out things and take lots of notes....... Congrats on all of your surgeries may you all be very successful and blessed... Best wishes always( see you on the losing side soon)