WOOOWHOOO!!! One Week Out!

[sickofrollercoaster 7]

Thanks so much for the info Grace, this helps a ton! I wondered about how hot/cold the hotel room would be, so do they not have central air?

So much respect for those ladies that were there for surgery and went through the tremors! What an even more exciting time!

Just 3 weeks away!!!

[ichefmastersgirl 4]

Congratulations guys! You sound so excited and upbeat. I hope I can feel that way post-op.

Kathy, can you elaborate on why you think the exercising before surgery helped you.

I was hitting the gym 3x a week and seeing a personal trainer x2 a week. I so believe my body, even though fat, has been conditioned and in good shape. Just having some muscle tone, even though that is under fat, and in good cardio condition helps a body recover faster. Plus having a good anesthesiologist helps. When I did the lap-band back in 2008 it took me a day and a half to wake up and start moving around. With this surgery 1 hour. I feel great and since I have been home I walk at least a mile a day and so excited to get to start back at the gym on Wednesday. (treadmill and elliptical only) And Grace also had been doing a lot of walking a training for her 3 day cancer walk so she was cardio conditioned also and she bounced right up from surgery. I am not saying that is completely why everything is going great but I do believe it has a lot to do with it.

Debbie

Great to here from you look at you go girl! Good job glad everything is going well for you. Nice to see the progress of everyone that was there. I am starting full liquids i am having an easy time with liquids because i keep it in my hand at all time never go anywhere without some Fluid. My problem with like pudding and Soups are I am not hungry so trying to eat these things are just not that appealing to me.

[ichefmastersgirl 4]

Thanks so much for the info Grace, this helps a ton! I wondered about how hot/cold the hotel room would be, so do they not have central air?

So much respect for those ladies that were there for surgery and went through the tremors! What an even more exciting time!

Just 3 weeks away!!!

Angie

Yes the air in my room at hotel was just fine. But I could not get cool enough in the hospital. Check your closet at the hospital for a fan they put them in there is there is not one ask for one. It can take them a while to find one. Ruth was a doll and walked around to try to find me one. But I did get one and used it the whole time.

[ichefmastersgirl 4]

A few questions as I get ready for this awesome experience:

Did you just use the hospital gown or did you bring jammies (nightgown or shirt and pants)?

Do they give you bottled Water (I have traveled to Mexico and Jordan before, typically bottled Water is the custom)?

Any shopping right around the hotel and if so, did you fee safe walking on the street?

If you took a companion, was the room comfy for them to sleep (my Mom is going with me, she is 4'11" and about a buck ten so she does not much but want to make sure she will be comfy)?

When do you get to take a shower after surgery?

Do you wear a compression garment and if so for how long?

Did anyone need a wheelchair at the airport? This concerns me a bit, after three days in the hospital I would hope I was good enough to walk on my own.

CONGRATS to everyone on their success, I can't wait to be one of you!!!

Yes bring jammies I wore shirt and pants that were a couple sizes to big and make sure they are thin and comfy.

They give you Bottle water. In the hotel and at the hospital.

I think someone told me there was a mall somewhere. But because of the earthquake and things happening at the time I was there I just hung out by the pool at the hotel.

I had a very nice room. My couch was small but I was alone. I know the rooms that had guest have nice big couches in them.

Yes you can take a shower after surgery I believe I waited one day.

They put pressure garments on your legs they took mine off the night of my surgery. But I think they only took them off because I asked.

Couple of things I suggest that you take: Heating pad (they have some but if in use you have one of your own) Your own pillow (it was so nice to have my own pillow) and you can have nothing by mouth for 24hrs after surgery no water no ice chips nothing. I found this spray at Walgreens in the toothpaste isle that helps keep your mouth moist I got a bottle and used it and it works wonders. I did not use it all so I pasted it on to Grace and then I believed she pasted it on also. But that little bottle saved me from cotton mouth.

Good luck Angie.

Edited April 18, 2010 by ichefmastersgirl