Looking for tips for after surgery.

[indymomma 6]

I'm having surgery October 18th and I'm looking for any advise or tips. I have all the information in my binder from my surgeon's office, but just looking for insider information from you all who have already been sleeved! Thank you in advance.

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

These were the little things that helped.

I tried to prepare my home so I wouldn't have to lift or reach for a bit. I got an extra long charger so I could keep my phone/ ipad charged and close by and not have to fumble for the charger cord. I had a supply of Protein Powder, Soup, sugar free/fat free pudding, ice pops and pain meds (though I didn't use them) and pill crusher all ready to go. I Made sure I had plenty of comfy clothes , loose and baggy all ready to go so I wouldn't have to worry about laundry right away. A heating pad was also helpful the first few days, helped with the little discomfort I had.

[PrettyLilButterfly 124]

Jerseygirl pretty much covered it! Another few things.. You may not be comfy in your bed, my couch was my best friend the first 2 weeks (with lots of pillows!). Also, remember, your FOCUS IS HEALING! Don't drive yourself nuts over the scale or what your'e losing. You will be swollen and a little gassy.

I also kept a small table next to me at all times with my 'supplies' for the day. I didn't put too much there so i had to get up to walk around for my 'meals'.

Good luck darling!!

[TBodmer71 245]

Just before surgery my husband and I went lay-z-boy recliner shopping. I bought one with heat, massage, cup holders and even a small fridge hidden in the arm (frozen ice packs that holds 4 cans). I found it a big lots. It is a stratolounger brand so it isn't their cheesy one. I got it on clearance for only $220. I slept in that baby for the first 2 weeks.

I would use the back "vibrate" to help me burp. The lower lumbar "heat" felt great too. When I bought it I wasn't planning on keeping it, because my living room furniture is a bit more formal and a recliner just doesn't fit in. But my son is moving out in 2 more months and he is looking forward to taking off my hands. Even though I spent over $200, it was well worth it to me.

My suggestion..... get a recliner. Whether it is new, used, rented, or free from craigslist. It was great to be able to sleep slightly up-right for the first 2 weeks.

[Momonanomo 534]

Gas x strips are good to have on hand, and some lip balm.

Other than that, plan to sip, walk, sip, rest, and repeat! Over and over!

Also, don't over do it if you're feeling fine. You will get tired easily. Give your body some good TLC healing time.

Good luck!

[indymomma 6]

Thank you all so much! I'm so ready for this.

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

Just before surgery my husband and I went lay-z-boy recliner shopping. I bought one with heat, massage, cup holders and even a small fridge hidden in the arm (frozen ice packs that holds 4 cans). I found it a big lots. It is a stratolounger brand so it isn't their cheesy one. I got it on clearance for only $220. I slept in that baby for the first 2 weeks.

I would use the back "vibrate" to help me burp. The lower lumbar "heat" felt great too. When I bought it I wasn't planning on keeping it, because my living room furniture is a bit more formal and a recliner just doesn't fit in. But my son is moving out in 2 more months and he is looking forward to taking off my hands. Even though I spent over $200, it was well worth it to me.

My suggestion..... get a recliner. Whether it is new, used, rented, or free from craigslist. It was great to be able to sleep slightly up-right for the first 2 weeks.

I totally forgot That I also purchased a recliner right before surgery. It was a fantastic help!

[bnape29 30]

I'm having surgery October 18th and I'm looking for any advise or tips. I have all the information in my binder from my surgeon's office' date=' but just looking for insider information from you all who have already been sleeved! Thank you in advance.[/quote']

Hey 'indymomma' - I'm in Indianapolis as well. Surgery 10/2

[indymomma 6]

Awesome! Are you going through St. Francis?

[youthguy80 65]

I literally prepared myself that "anything was possible." Meaning: I could be in pain for weeks, I could be lethargic for weeks, I might have no pain, I might be hungry the first hour...etc. for some reason that was a huge help for me mentally. What I've found is that everyone seems to have a very different experience post op (pre op too for that matter).

[SleevedJune62013 167]

I lived on SF Jello, SF pudding, SF Popsicles & fudgesicles, broth/consommé & Premier Protein chocolate shakes (Sam's club). Don't skip buying the broth. You'd be surprised how bad you'll crave something salty & you'll crave chewing something so go get Sonic ice. I also fell in love with Mojito flavored Crystal Light. Take your pain meds & sleeeeeep as much as you need or want to. Warn your friends and family you may not be good company. You're not gonna have a whole lot of energy. I was like a baby. I could only stay awake about 2 hours. My husband kept us stocked with Redbox movies. I'd get through a movie & have to go to sleep. LOL. Remember, it gets better every day. I think most everyone has had a rough day & asks themselves "WTH did I get myself into?" It's temporary & a small price to pay for a healthier future. We'll all be here waiting to help you through......

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Practise sipping in advance - it's what will get you through the first few weeks with your liquids. I thought I knew how to do that but when it came to it, I hadn't appreciated how little a sip is until I had a tiny stomach

[bnape29 30]

Awesome! Are you going through St. Francis?

Yes

[laffypatty 47]

I'm five days post-op and doing great. I bought several flavors of Isopure in advance of surgery to determine which I'd like best. So while I'm getting 60ish ounces of liquid a day as i sip, I'm intaking about 60 grams of Protein per day this early on. I drink one bottle of Isopure per day (and it takes all day to finish a bottle); that's 40 grams. I have Unjury chicken broth (21 grams), and I put a scoop of Unjury unflavored Protein Powder (21 grams of protein again) into a can of beef broth and sip on that throughout the evening. I start it while the family is having dinner and usually finish it just before bedtime. I also love Blue Bell sugar-free bullets, Oceanspray diet cranberry and Decaf, unsweetened ice tea. I sip all day and it keeps the hunger at bay. All the protein gives me tons of energy, which is great because I have a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old!