How do I prepare for recovery?

[TrimKim 0]

Hi Everybody-

My band day is Monday morning at 7:30. Yea!!!! We have to be at the hospital by 5:45 am so we will be staying overnight at a nearby hotel due to our 3 hour commute to the hospital and most likely returning home the same day.

Can anyone suggest some items I would want to be sure to take with me to the hospital to make my short hospital stay and commute home as comfortable as possible?

Also what items do I want to be sure to have at home for my recovery? I have a heating pad, liquid tylonal and my Clear liquids. What am I missing?

Thanks for your input. I'm sooooo excited... scared..... nervous etc. Preparing for the ride of my life! :whoo::whoo::whoo::sick

[GayleTX 1]

Gas-X is a lot of people's best friend for quite a while after surgery.

Take as little stuff as possible to the hospital....you won't need anything except maybe chapstick and a bottle of Water to sip on the way home. Go dressed in a few clothes as possible, a loose, one-piece dress that is comfortable (not pants) that you can put it back on afterward, sandels you can just slip on. Many hospitals give you a small hard pillow to hold against your tummy for a day or two (for riding in the car, for coughing, etc) but you might take one with you just in case.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

A big over-stuffed comfy chair, a fuzzy blanky, and a good book.

[hf2havefun 0]

I just had my surgery on Tuesday. A few things I found helpful:

-bring a book to read, they don't always bring you in on time (mine was

1 1/2 hours later than scheduled)

-a neck pillow for the ride home

-a bottle of Water to sip on for the ride home

-loose clothing (I bought a pair of loose seersucker capri's to wear for

the next week or so) they worked out really well!

-chap-stick would have been nice (I didn't think to bring any)

-leave your jewelry at home would be the best then you won't lose

anything

-if your hair is long - a scrunchy/or hair-tie for after the surgery

-try to get your pain meds filled before surgery, it saves you from having

to wait in the pharmacy after a long trip

You'll be fine. I feel a little better today. I'm still really sore, but didn't use any pain meds during the day today. I'm 3 days post-op.

Also when you come home you might not want to be around your family when they are eating meals. Some people have a hard time with that. I still don't have an appetite right now so I'm good so far. But I know in the next couple of weeks it will be a little harder. Good luck and keep us posted.:biggrin1:

[chimboree26 24]

Here's a great list of things you may want to refer to. I didn't need e'thing on this list, but it may give you some ideas.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/post-op-checklists-things-have-before-surgery-14814/

I found that I was very well prepared for my surgery - before, during, and after - thanks to this site.

You'll be a bandster soon!!!

[TrimKim 0]

PERFECT! Thank you so much! I love this sight. Everyone sharing their experiences is making this whole process soooo much easier!!

[Mary-2b150 0]

I borrowed most of these from the thread chimboree26 linked you too, but added a few of my own things...

food

For Fluid stage: (depending on your doc's instructions)

• Bottled Water – plain or flavored, some like Propel or fruit 2-0

• Popsicles (sugar-free as needed)

• Jello (sugar-free)

• Gatorade

• Bouillon or chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed)*

• Clear Soups

• Hot cocoa mix (sugar-free)

broths

yogurt smoothie drinks (not homemade)

milkshakes – thinned

sippy cups

DRUGSTORE

Tylenol (adult strength)

Pain medications

Gas-X

cough drops

sippy cups

anti-bacterial soap

a thermometer (my doc said to take my temp three times a day after surgery)

OTHER THINGS TO MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE

• Heating blanket

squishy pillow

favorite pillow

SLIPPERS

loose, comfy pj's and loose clothes

a sports bra

ipod

books/magazines

[Candle 11]

Pretty much everything is covered in this thread, I just wanted to say good luck! My date is Monday too.

A few additional things I'm doing this weekend:

Rent a bunch of movies (5 day rentals)

Shave my legs

Paint my toe nails

Load up the ipod

Clean the house

(My boyfriend is over my shoulder and he says to add "have lots of sex" - lol!!)<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[jennigan 0]

Hi all-

My date is Monday as well and I am excited and nervous trying to get prepared. I have a 10 month old baby at home, so I am trying to stock up on all the things he will need as well as things for me.

Does anyone know how soon after surgery I will be able to pick up the baby and take care of him?

Luckily, I have family to help out, but I don't want to impose longer than I have to.

Thanks!

[Mary-2b150 0]

Hi all-

My date is Monday as well and I am excited and nervous trying to get prepared. I have a 10 month old baby at home, so I am trying to stock up on all the things he will need as well as things for me.

Does anyone know how soon after surgery I will be able to pick up the baby and take care of him?

Luckily, I have family to help out, but I don't want to impose longer than I have to.

Thanks!

Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I'm only 6 days out but I'm not able to pick up my 11 month niece yet... but I feel like in a few days I might be up for it. Just make sure you don't try too soon or it will take longer to heal than necessary. Goodluck on monday!!

[jennigan 0]

Thanks Mary...and congratulations on your banding! I hope you are feeling well!

I have sitters lined up for next week, but I hope I can pick up the baby after a few days. I guess we will see. I am a teacher and will be back to work 8 days after surgery. With any luck, I will feel ok by then.

Thanks again for your input!