Surgery scheduled in 9 days on the 20th, don't feel prepared, please help.

[Monica90604 0]

Hey Everyone, I'm feeling a little unprepared, any advise is appreciated, My surgery is scheduled for July 20th. I saw my pre op nurse about two weeks ago and signed paperwork for the surgery. I won't go back until the 20th. My Nutrition class was about 2 months ago, and I'm just not sure what to go out and purchase before my surgery. I feel like I know I am having surgery in 9 days, but nothing in the house is reflecting a change coming. Any suggestions for a shopping list to get prepared would be greatly appreciated. Everything from foods, appliances, comfy clothes suggestions, anything.

Thank you!!

[btrieger 21]

Relax.

Fill you pain medication prescription in case you need it.

Have comfortable pajamas and slippers for the trip to the hospital.

Really that's all. Really!!

It's outpatient surgery. Meaning that you check in, have the band installed and leave.

You'll be walking around right after surgery and totally back to your old self in less than a week. You can do any shopping you need the day after surgery.

[Humming Bird 275]

I wore some capri type PJs home after surgery. Don't take a bunch of stuff with you. You won't need it and it is just stuff you have to keep track of and carry.

Get some Clear Liquids you like for the first few days post-op. Anything you can see through like Jello (drink it). I don't know what your Dr.'s post-op guidelines are, but mine were to only drink ice cold liquids for the first 4-7 days. Then I could move on to creamier stuff like protien shakes, apple sauce, runny cream of wheat.

I think the one thing that helped me the most post-op was keeping an ice pack on my stomach even longer than they told me to. It really helped the swelling go down.

Don't get yourself too worked up about it. Nerves can make the entire thing worse than it is. Good luck to you and I wish you the best. Celebrate your journey and be happy for yourself.

[Drake alp 0]

I agree not much is needed at the hospital. I had a 23 hour stay and I didn't do the puzzles, games, computer or anything I took with me. I napped or was in bed a lot the first couple of days so fresh sheets, new jammies (shorts type with elastic waist), and a tidy room/house made me feel better.

As far as what you need for after discharge, it depends on your doctor's program. I could only have clear liquids for 2 days, and then full liquids until day 9. It helped to have different choices of drinks --- tea for when I wanted something a little sweet (artificial sweetner of course), crystal light for when I was craving sodium, Jello (sugar free), 50 cal orange juice (careful on the servings - I was limited to no more than 4 oz a day), and sugar free popsicles.

Once I went to full liquid, I was able to substitute the Bariatric Advantage Protein shakes with Instant Carnation Breakfast mix (blue box with lower sugar) and skim milk. I didn't think I would do it, but the first sip I had of the ICB, I was hooked! Haven't had another BA Protein shake since. 3 weeks was enough for me! :confused:

One thing I would encourage you to think about. I had to measure everything for the first couple of weeks -- only 1 oz of liquid for 30 mins at one phase for example. If you need to do this also, they should give you little measuring cups at the hospital. If they don't, ask for them. We ended up taking several home and they really helped with measuring the liquids the first several days.

Good luck!

Edited July 11, 2010 by Blondi452

[Humming Bird 275]

Blondi brings up a good point about the tidy room/house. Clean house before surgery. You will not feel up to it for quite some time after surgery.

[KatieMT 0]

Mines on the 13th. I made sure I have clear liquids for the first few days, and Protein stuff and full liquids for the next few weeks. I also made sure there was plenty of food in the house for the hubby and kiddos. And I'm in spring cleaning mode. I want everything spotless when I come home, so I don't have to feel like I should be up doing this or that.

[btrieger 21]

One thing I would encourage you to think about. I had to measure everything for the first couple of weeks -- only 1 oz of liquid for 30 mins at one phase for example. If you need to do this also, they should give you little measuring cups at the hospital. If they don't, ask for them. We ended up taking several home and they really helped with measuring the liquids the first several days.

Good luck!

This is definitely something to ask your surgeon about.

It kills me every time I see something similar.

You need to get 64 ounces of Water a day and if you only drink 1oz every 30 minutes it will take 32 hours to drink 64 ounces. There are only 24 hours in a day.

I was guzzling, yes guzzling 10 ounce Protein shakes 2 hours after surgery.

This doesn't mean that I am right and Blondi is wrong or vice versa. All surgeon have their specifics. Make sure you know what your surgeon expects and if you aren't sure, ask him.

[Monica90604 0]

Thanks Everyone!! I feel much better now and I appreciate all of the wonderful advise. :confused:

[PuppyBandit 2]

I found this list online somewhere (maybe even here lol). Just a guideline and gives an idea of what to get. I read the gas-x is good to help with the gas that is left in your stomach after surgery. They blow up your stomach during surgery to give more space for surgeon to do his/her magic.

This may be 2 different lists, but gives a good idea:

Stock up on stuff before surgery

Flavorless Protein Mix

Protein drinks

Soup Soup Soup

Cans of chicken breast that I can warm up and eat

pineapple juice....

sugar-free popsicles

bariatric Vitamins

Rx for pain meds (the doctor will give it to you ahead of time so you don't have to worry about filling it after you get home)

FiberSure (or other soluble fiber)

Gas-X

a few good-tasting Proteins (in addition to the flavorless)

Lots of broth

sugar-free popsicles

Crystal lite

Protein shakes, and Protein powders (taste–test and find the ones you like best before stocking up).

Water

Broth and other clear Soups

Clear, no-sugar added juices

Sugar-free non caloric beverages (NO carbonated beverages)

Light sports drinks

Sugar-free popsicles

Sugar-free Jello

Creamy Soups

Applesauce of sugar-free pudding cups (if, and ONLY if your doctor permits you to take your medications with a spoonful of these)

Sugar-free hot cocoa

Decaf and herbal teas

Decaf coffee

chewable vitamins

Small 2-4 oz plastic cups

A strainer (for removing chunks from creamy soups)

[PuppyBandit 2]

oops double post

[lageil 0]

Im having surgery the 19th and I went and bough chicken broth, sf pudding mix, sf Jello mix- they told me not to get the premade kind. I also bought 2 big bags of SF popsicles. I got to looking at the label the other night and it does say sugar 0gm, but also says sugar alcohol 2gm.??? the told me to watch out for sugar alcohol...what exactly is it? oh ya, i also bough 2nd stage baby food :-) Good luck !!

[2beskinny 4]

This is the stuff people stress over making sure they have all of this and for no reason. 95% of this list can be bought in the days and weeks to follow surgery.

Ummm...I think this is exactly what the OP was asking for...as mentioned, it's a guideline. Don't get me wrong - I like reading your posts...but you seem to like to stir the pot. Lots of us have families to take care of and being prepared is a necessity. How prepared? That is up to the individual. Some of us can chill out in a messy house - some of us can't. Lots of folks would stress about NOT having these things in the house prior to surgery.

[btrieger 21]

Ummm...I think this is exactly what the OP was asking for...as mentioned, it's a guideline. Don't get me wrong - I like reading your posts...but you seem to like to stir the pot. Lots of us have families to take care of and being prepared is a necessity. How prepared? That is up to the individual. Some of us can chill out in a messy house - some of us can't. Lots of folks would stress about NOT having these things in the house prior to surgery.

I do love playing devil's advocate but I was not trying to "stir the pot" on this one.

It is important to have your pain prescription filled; pajamas and slippers. These can be overlooked if they get lost in the middle of a huge list of nice-to-haves.

After rereading the original post, it does look like she wanted the nice-to-haves as well. My bad.

Thanks for setting me straight on this.

* This may seem confusing because I am going to delete the post that prompted your reply.

[2beskinny 4]

I do love playing devil's advocate but I was not trying to "stir the pot" on this one.

It is important to have your pain prescription filled; pajamas and slippers. These can be overlooked if they get lost in the middle of a huge list of nice-to-haves.

After rereading the original post, it does look like she wanted the nice-to-haves as well. My bad.

Thanks for setting me straight on this.

* This may seem confusing because I am going to delete the post that prompted your reply.

No worries! It's all good! I'm looking forward to your input when I will undoubtably post some questions after my surgery :grouphug: I can't believe how much weight you have lost...awesome!

[Amaris 0]

Thanks so much for the suggestion list. We live 30 minutes from town/shopping, so just running out to pick up a few things isn't practical. Because of that, I'll certainly want to be as well-prepared as I can!