Last minute guidance?? 1 week pre-op

Anyone out there have any last minute recommendations?  Things I should buy? Avoid? Take with me to the hospital?  By this time next week, I'll be out of surgery, out of recovery and likely up walking around my floor like a good girl.

I've not done this before and none of my family has either, so ANYTHING you can recommend is greatly appreciated!!  Even if you have advice or guidance from your loved ones that would be appropriate for MY loved ones, I'll take it!

I can't WAIT!  AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!  yes, I'm doing a mental happy dance RIGHT NOW! 

Take a pillow for the ride home....hold it against your belly...it helps tremendously with bumps in the road or speed bumps. 

Chapstick or Vaseline...mine were so chapped when I got there to be admitted from the clean out process...they found me some vaseline because I couldn't have anything to drink.

Take a Robe if the hospital doesn't provide one (mine did) for the walking up and down the hall.  I never wore the gown I took, just stayed in the hospital gown...made it easier for checking the incision sites. I didn't take bedroom shoes but it would be nice...I just wore those footies with the no skid on the bottom. 

If I think of more, I'll post!! 

Good Luck and Best Wishes!!

Sherry

Pillow!  Good one!  It wasn't on the list the doctor provided me.  I don't have a robe.  I was planning on doing an oversized t-shirt and a pair of extra loose shorts.  Maybe I should go buy a robe?  It wouldn't be a good thing for everyone on my floor to see my goodies as I'm doing my best to walk post surgery!  I'll e-mail my doctor's office and see if the hospital provides robes.  Thank you! 

 My biggest recommendation for the hospital is chapstick.  Other than that, slippers if you like them, toothbrush and toothpaste, brush, and maybe something to do, like a book, sudoku, crosswords, etc.  Because when you aren't walking, it can get boring.  

As for what to have at home...the basics - Jello, crystal light, broth, soups, etc.

Good luck to you!!!

 Other than what's already been said, have a good heating pad at home. If you get that left side pain everyone talks about, they help a lot!

Uh oh!  What left side pain everyone talks about???  I've not heard/read that yet!  Eek!  What did I miss?  

 Lol! Calm down! It's the pain you get after about two weeks when the stitches inside start to dissolve. It's not the end of the world, just keep your pain meds handy and again, a heating pad works wonders. It'll be bad enough to slow you down for a few days, but not so bad you'll be in the hospital or something. I'm the biggest baby when it comes to pain and I got thru it! And once it's over, you'll forget all about it. Just keep in mind WHY you're doing this and remember it'll pass. Nothing to be scared of. :) (This is only pertinent if you're having bypass/sleeve. NOT the band)

One of the most important things is you NEED a support person at home. You may have pain and issues getting out of bed, and you may need help. Also, if you have small kids, you SHOULD NOT be lifting them for at least 3 weeks past surgery. Personally, I would have attended a few support group meetings in the months before surgery.  You'll likely have anxiety about issues, and knowledge of how other new post ops dealt with these challenges will lessen this anxiety.  Do not drive yourself home from the hospital, you need a driver to be safe.  DAVE

Dave: 

Thank you!  I do live alone, so I have to figure out how to convince one of my parents, or my brother and his fiance to stay with me.  I DID set up the spare room, so they at least won't have to sleep with me! :) 

I did go to every support group meeting I could (missed just one) prior to my surgery, but most everyone that was there was all pre-op like me.  I guess I'll do some more reading here, just to see what else I can glean from everyone else's experiences. 

And don't worry, I'm a scary enough driver when I don't have pain meds in my system!  Mom is taking me and staying with me at the hospital, so the driving situation is covered.

Thank you for your advice!  I will definitely read some more on here for some more insight. 

Sarah :)

Support group meetings are designed to help those who have had surgery pirmailry, and secondary, to answer questions prior to surgery, and sometimes it's a mandatory attendance for preops too.  You need to find a group that has a good amount of post ops in attendance, varying from new patients to long term patients. Those are the groups I attend, put on my surgeon.  Data shows that RNY post ops who attend support groups on a regular basis are those that have the best long range success from their surgery.

My surgeon will NOT do surgery on any patient, UNTIL he actually meets the patient's support person. He want's to make sure you have someone to help as needed right after surgery.  No support person at your last consult, and surgery is resheduled.  DAVE