Must haves for the first days after surgery?

[Beck Gal 68]

So what were some things (looking back to your surgery date) that you all had, wish you had or NEEDED to get you through...? Any and every suggestion welcome! I'm less than 2 weeks to my surgery date and I'm getting very nervous.

Thanks all!

[Violet's Mum 5]

Great question. I am interested to hear suggestions as well. Especially from those who had to fly home after their surgery. I will be catching a 7 pm flight back to Washington state from San Diego. Also, I will have at least 8 hours until my flight leaves after being dropped off at the airport. I hear about people up and walking and some even shopping in Tijuana after their surgery. I was thinking about going to Mass and then getting a taxi to Coronado Beach to walk around a bit. My husband will be with me. Am I crazy to think I will be up for this?

[Ravend26 103]

I'm interested in this also. Going in today to sign consent and schedule the surgery date today.

[IncredibleShrinkingMan 437]

Hi folks,

They will give you everything you need in the hospital, but as far as what you want to have at home, be sure you have tried a few brands of Protein shakes that you enjoy or at least can handle and have a week or two worth of them stocked up. liquid phase may only be a few weeks, depending on your surgeon, but if you start to have trouble with thicker foods, you may be asked to briefly retreat to shakes to get Protein before trying to advance again. Other things you should have are cushions and pillows, not just to find a comfortable position to sit in, but to press up against your incision sites when you cough or sneeze...it won't completely eliminate the discomfort but otherwise that will be quite painful for about a week. My one other must-have that I can draw from personal experience is to be sure to have lots of blankets and warm clothes...you will feel your temperature set point drop dramatically right away. I was freezing cold in August, and now it's December. See if you can find some warmer socks, sweat pants, and sweat shirts and have them ready...this is what a severe calorie drop will do...you will start burning fat and that will eventually warm your body back up, but that takes time. Other than that, everyone knows his/her own life the best, and unless stated otherwise, it's fine to do right away!

[rnsamantha 352]

Chapstick and your phone charger with a long cord!

[MrsKarenC2008 622]

This question brought back memories !

As Sleevy said .. you will need lots of blankets / socks / sweats ... STAY WARM! The shivers will run right to your core ... and when you're sore already .... the shaking and chattering teeth don't help! Heating pad is a life saver!

A good book or two ... and as RNSamantha said ... lip balm! FOR SURE!

Make sure that pets that love to be held and cuddled are kept at a distance for a little while ... don't want them to jump up on your lap as usual and think they'll be cuddled ... they might be in for a rude awakening!

Have a box of Kleenex ... you'll have lots of moments of "why did I do this?" and the tears will come ...

Make sure you DON'T pay attention to the food commercials on TV ... I was shocked at how many they really do advertise in any given day .... Seeing all of that ... knowing what you just went through ... makes you kinda sad / mad / wanna kill something kinda feeling ...

There are so many little tips and tricks that you'll hear ... but these are all I could come up with off the top of my head

Best of luck!!!

[KarenLoh 128]

I was glad to have unsweetened applesauce, refried Beans and Greek yogurt (in addition to my Protein shakes) so I didn't have to go out to the store for a while. It was so strange eating 2 ounces of food and then nothing for four hours. I was so glad I had done the pre-op liquid diet to prepare myself mentally for this change of lifestyle.

Good walking shoes and a place to walk that is warm. I go to the local mall. It's a mile inside roundtrip with benches to sit on along they way for needed rest breaks.

For me, I had books and movies in abundance. Needed some distractions.

Good luck!

[Bianca08 2]

I am one week post op, I had my VSG surgery last Tuesday and here are some things I find myself looking for during this stage along with all the other suggestions everyone else has given:

Baby spoons- will help when you start taking in broths or Jello

A couple of One ounce cups ( like the medicine caps) to keep track of your Fluid intake especially the first couple days out. My instructions say to take in 1 ounce of liquid every 15 minutes to keep from dehydration.

A tracker or planner maybe a book or on your phone to note everything

A Water bottle with measurements on the side to keep track of how much fluids you take throughout the day or hourly if you are out and about, I have a Blender Bottle that shows ounces on the sides.

Again this is additional things that I am currently using to help me through this first stage, I was nervous as well and it is tough but with a positive mind and reassuring yourself of why you took this step in the first place there is no doubt you will ok! Mind over matter ????

I hope all goes well!

[Castillo15 25]

I bought a robe and slippers for the walk around the hospital.. Lip balm and I went to the library to get a new series of books to read. 12 days to go!! It will be here before we know it!!

[Good apple 29]

I am one week post op, I had my VSG surgery last Tuesday and here are some things I find myself looking for during this stage along with all the other suggestions everyone else has given:

Baby spoons- will help when you start taking in broths or Jello

A couple of One ounce cups ( like the medicine caps) to keep track of your Fluid intake especially the first couple days out. My instructions say to take in 1 ounce of liquid every 15 minutes to keep from dehydration.

A tracker or planner maybe a book or on your phone to note everything

A Water bottle with measurements on the side to keep track of how much fluids you take throughout the day or hourly if you are out and about, I have a Blender Bottle that shows ounces on the sides.

Again this is additional things that I am currently using to help me through this first stage, I was nervous as well and it is tough but with a positive mind and reassuring yourself of why you took this step in the first place there is no doubt you will ok! Mind over matter

I hope all goes well!

Thanks for the mention of the baby spoons, I wondered it that would be helpful!