Post op care

[oldgiesser 0]

Hello !! I have a question that my wife would like some input on.

What type of post op care did you need from your family support person and how long did you need their help? Also is their any thing special you can think of to take to hospital or have at home for when you came home?

Thanks in advance Terry

[socalgal3 4]

I did it on my own, so it can be done with little support. But, since you are fortunate to have help, you may want to have all the groceries purchased. Lots of clear fluids like broth, popsicles, juice, etc. Maybe a heating pad, liquid Tylenol, Gas-X strips, etc. for pain. Probably just ask your significant other for their patience and understanding as it is just an uncomfortable few days more than painful. Best of luck to you and I'm sure others here will give you some great advice.

[Ready to Lose 0]

Just had band yesterday. I believe that to make the patient feel better is by letting them know that you understand the pain involved and that you can handle the medicine and amount of fluids that the patient will be taking in. It is a relaxing feeling knowing that someone else is doing the thinking for the first couple of days. All the best!!!

[enterprise01 0]

For the first day, I needed help getting in and out of bed. I also needed help putting my socks on for the first 10 days. I'm 3 weeks post-op, and it's still a struggle to get that left sock on by myself. And I have 4 cats, so I needed help cleaning out the litter boxes for the first week because I simply could not bend over. I was not able drive comfortably (and thus safely) for about 5 days, so my boyfriend had to go to the pharmacy for me a couple of times.

[lisah25 3]

The thing I was most glad to have was a heating pad. It made the shoulder pain so much more bearable. I stocked up on Soups and Jello, and didn't eat nearly all I'd bought.

For help, I needed help for a day or two getting up and down, otherwise I was fine doing things for myself.

[enterprise01 0]

The thing I was most glad to have was a heating pad.

I got some of those Thermacare heat wraps, and they worked wonderfully. Stayed hot for a full 8 hours.

[lisah25 3]

I got some of those Thermacare heat wraps, and they worked wonderfully. Stayed hot for a full 8 hours.

That's a great idea!

[juliegeraci 7]

I think I had 1 or 2 days of aftercare by a family member. Mostly just helping me out of bed and feeding me Soup. I would stock up on liquids, broth, Jello, popsicles, Soups and gasx strips. You should be fine.

[oldgiesser 0]

Thank You for all the helpful tips and support.

Terry

[christiana 0]

I agree. I was just banded on Feb. 3, and I returned to work today! I went to Mexico and had it done and I went alone and did fine. Getting out of bed was the hardest thing for me but everything's getting easier as the days pass!

[thatgirl 0]

I had a friend drive me home the day I had surgery (last Wed 1/31) and I was on my own all day until hubby got home at 6. I had friends I could call if I needed them but mostly I was sore. I was much more sore and uncomfortable days 2-5.

I have a wedge for under my knees, so when I sleep on my back I am not laying flat and that made sleeping much more comfy.

I also took the gas X faithfully every 4 hours after surgery for 3-4 days and had no shoulder and minimal gas discomfort.

[8675309 0]

What type of pain medicine do they send you home with?

[christiana 0]

My doctor sent me home with liquid pain medicine and some medicine for internal swelling. I've hardley needed the pain medicine though. When it's a little sore I just take liquid Tylenol and it takes the discomfort away and usually one dose gets me through the whole day.

[travelgirl 3]

Hi! I was banded on Feb. 5. I needed (still need) my DH to help me out of bed in the morning, I'm just stiff and don't have the strength in my abdomen to get upright first thing... Ummm.... Oh, I can't do laundry, because I can't reach the bottom of the washing machine to get the wet clothes out of there. So I have him get stuff out of the washer, but I do the rest....

What else?....Oh, you're not supposed to lift anything over 10 lbs until you get the all clear from your doc....

One thing that might be helpful, get your DW on here and have her read some of the posts on the pre-op and post-op threads to see what she should expect. It's best to go through it together, so you don't have to try to explain every little detail to the person who's going to see what's happening with you up close and personal.

Good luck on Tuesday! See you on the February 2007 Bandster's Thread!!!