Getting ready for the hospital!

April 12, 2004

Good morning!

I am getting close to my surgery day (1 week away) and I'm starting to get very nervous. I've received numerous helpful hints from people on various sites, however, now that I'm down to the wire, I wish I would have written them down. By chance does anyone have any tips for the following?

1. What to bring to the hospital with me...

2. What to buy before surgery so I don't have to deal with it when I come home... I know I need Protein drinks, but what type and where do you get them?

Any help you can provide would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Melissa G.

Banding on 4/19/04

Dr. Hamn

Alexandra · April 12, 2004

Hi Melissa,

Oh, how exciting!! My tips are simple: wear a comfy bra and elastic-waist pants to come home in. Bring lip balm. Depending on how long you're going to be there (overnight?) bring a BOOK.

As for when you get home, I preferred Soup to Protein drinks. But now I do drink Protein Drinks for Breakfast and the one I like best is Kashi Go-Lean. I mix it with milk at a lower proportion than the label indicates (they say two scoops to 8 ozs, and I use 3 for 16 ozs.) and it's actually quite yummy! Post banding I had worried a lot about the Protein Drinks, making my own with yogurt, ice, Peanut Butter, and Ovaltine. But I got sick of that process pretty quick.

leo · April 12, 2004

yes i love my soup!

April 12, 2004

Hi Alexandra!

Thank you for the very helpful information!!! I'm writing it all down! Do you know where I would find Kashi Go-Lean? Is it something at a grocery store or somewhere special?

Thanks again! I really appreciate it!!!

Melissa G.

Banding: 4/19/04

Dr. Hamn

Dallas, TX

Chickadee · April 12, 2004

Hi Melissa,

I was banded last Tuesday, so this is all very fresh in my mind!

You really don't need much. The lip balm is important, because they won't let you have Water. I thought I was going to dry up right there in the bed.

I bought a couple kinds of Protein powders before surgery. The one I like best is the unjury brand (available online). I also bought some Carb Options (or something like that) and found it almost intolerable after surgery. Remember, you're going to be consuming very small amounts at a time at first and it's really important to be able to get the Protein in. The wierdest thing I've found is that sweet things tend to taste too sweet right now. I had a popsicle last night and almost didn't eat it because it just seemed overly sweet. I'm sure everyone is different though.

I also agree on bringing comfortable clothing to go home in. I wore some comfy sweats and said to hell with the bra (which I never, ever do). I figured no one really cared if the girls were well-supported on the walk out of the hospital, and it was more comfortable for me to be a free woman.

Good luck! It really wasn't bad at all and you'll be on the losing side in no time!

Becky

nightingale2u · April 18, 2004

Hiya Melissa...

Just wanted to let you know I'm wishing you well with your surgery Monday! Please let us know how things go when you are feeling up to it! Good luck with everything!!!!!

Becky... congratulations on your banding!

Darcy

Alexandra · April 18, 2004

Originally posted by Melissa
Do you know where I would find Kashi Go-Lean? Is it something at a grocery store or somewhere special?

I buy mine at Trader Joe's where it's cheaper than at my A & P, but any large supermarket probably carries it if they carry Protein supplements at all. If not, a GNC or even a big drugstore like Drug Fair or CVS would probably have it.

Good luck tomorrow!!