Getting Prepared

[cheri keller 1]

My surgery is the 23rd of Aug. Any suggestions any recommendations? I sm so ready to get this over:)

[georgiagirl 34]

That's my birthday I hope all goes great for you!

[TinyMamiOf3kids 1,280]

Water & sugarfree Popsicle.

[MsCook 38]

Cheri, I'm happy to offer any suggestions that would help you. In general, I would say continue to be hopeful and patient. Is there any area in particular you are looking for advice on? Hospital? Pre-op? Post-op? Recovery? ...

[tamihill 24]

I'm also wondering the same things. My surgery is on the 24th. I would like info on Hospital, and post-op.

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

Take to the hospital: chap stick, your own pillow (much more comfy in the hospital and you can hug it on the way home to help with pain), gas-x strips, slippers OT socks with grippies on em, phone charger!

[PaulB 346]

What you forget the hospital will have.

Good luck

Surgery Anniversary 7/30/12

[cheri keller 1]

Pre-op and post I'd advice would be helpful! You guys are wonderful! I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this site. I am praying for each of us. I began my liver shrinkage on Aug 8 and I am down 10lbs.

[NicoleL1016 12]

I was gonna ask the same thing cuz my surgery is Wednesday (aug 22). good luck everyone!

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[MsCook 38]

Hi all. Sorry I've been away for a couple of days---back to work! So, here are my suggestions for you:

Pre-Op: Hang in there! You can do this! It's a long haul during the liquid diet, but it truly is for your benefit. Get all your last minute questions ready for the surgeon.

Hospital: Wear something very comfy for surgery day and plan to wear the same thing home from the hospital if you can. (less to keep track of while you're there). The hospital should have most everything you need but you might want small items of your own toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc) as the hospital ones are, well, medicinal and pretty generic. Remember your phone and charger. You won't need alot else besides possibly a magazine or book to read--more while you're waiting and less after surgery. While recovering, you'll be busy walking, being checked by nurses, and sleeping. You'll NEED the recovery time in the hospital just to rest. Chapstick would be a good thing to bring along and also don't forget any feminine or incontinence products you might need as the hospital's are AWFUL if you have to get one from them. If you get nervous or anxious with medical procedures, ask your surgeon to prescribe something (like Xanax) for you to help with this. Most gladly will.

Post-Op: Give yourself at least a week of doing nothing but resting and being at home. Plan to have someone there to help you for at least the first few days. Know that you will leave the hospital at least 5 - 10 pounds HEAVIER than when you went in. Don't worry! It's all Water and Fluid retention and will be gone very quickly. Also, don't be surprised if you have itching across your abdomen as you heal. It can be crazy itchy. Some are helped by Cortaid Anti-Itch spray and others are helped more by Benedryl Anti-Itch spray. The one that helps you most will depend upon the cause of the itching. If it's just healing itch, the Cortaid will help. If there's a bit of an allergy/histimine reaction (to either the sutures, the Steri-strips, or the bandage adhesive) then the Benedryl will work better. Speaking of bandages, when you have bandage residue on your skin (and you will!), use a cotton pad with baby oil or olive oil to remove the last of the stick stuff.

Those are the things top of mind for me. I'm sure others will have input to add. To those of you going in for surgery in the next few days, best of luck to you! You'll be fine.

[tbaby 27]

Good luck to you all that had surgery today and will have tomorrow.