all alone

[smiles01 13]

Sorry some of your questions werent answered.
what to pack
is there a special Shampoo I can use for my hair:
I packed a ton of stuff and never used most of it. I wore the hospital gown and walked around in the little booties they provided even though I had brought my own stuff. You won't feel good, so you won't care. the biggies are a phone, charger, ponytail and chapstick. Make sure to ask them for the little mouth sponges and a cup of Water. You can't swallow, but you can swipe them around your mouth. I made good use of the little push button for pain meds and slept a lot in between the nurses taking me for strolls. You're out of there the next day and can shower when you get home.
I am worried I won't eat anything good again:
You will need to change your relationship with food and will need to change your definition of "good". Once you get past the post-op recovery and pureed stage, there are so many delicious foods that are also healthy - you never need to be bored. Also, your new tiny stomach won't be screaming at you to eat all the time. You will need to let go of junk food, sweets and white carbs - they were fake friends anyway.
Good luck next month!

thank you

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[Tarver11 21]

I was told at my preop appt to remove jewelry and not to wear nail polish

[jess9395 5,449]

I packed a ton and needed very little of it.

What I used:
-phone charger
-my own pillow (hospital one had plastic icky noisy cover)
-chapstick
-scrunchie
-yoga pants, underwear and t shirt for when I left.

The hospital provided everything else from ear plugs to toothbrush to tissues. They wouldn't let me use anything even remotely medical I brought like cough drops. Those had to be approved and provided by them.

You can use any type of Shampoo, but while in the hospital if you are there long enough to shower they will provide.

I am four years out and can eat almost anything in moderation. There are a few things that don't sit well, but they are the minority. But the key for me is I don't care. Seriously. Never would have imagined that a bite or two of something would do it for me but it does. And most of the time, I don't even want that. I eat to fuel my body and my choices are governed by that not what tastes good. Plus what tastes good has changed for me, again something I never would have imagined.

You will get through this and it will be amazing! Hang in there

[Julie norton 2,850]

You are not alone. Many others have been through this and can help.
My take is the overall aim for good health trumps all!
The numbers are important but how you feel is much more relevant
I think your relationship with food will evolve quickly after surgery. You hopefully will not hear the sirens call for food all the time.... small amounts probably will fill you up.
What small amounts you CHOOSE will make a big difference in the long run .
That is the goal: the long run .... not a diet... a different lifestyle that evolves!!
Best of luck. Keep posting!
Us vets like to hear success stories!!

[Finding Erika 61]

Hey Smiles
It sounds like everyone has covered a lot of your questions! As for nail polish- the O2sat monitors can read through it and even if they had a problem- we have tons of nail polish remover in the hospital [emoji6]
What to bring? Literally just your pillow, cell phone and charger, hair clip and chapstick stuff- you're wearing their clothes and socks- they'll give you toothbrushes- as for shampoo- I didn't have time to shower in the hospital- you're focused on pain control and walking and sipping- that's really it- it's so streamlined and they are so good at all this - they have a system- just follow your nurses instructions and you'll be golden!
Being a diabetic is par for the course with our crowd and the nurses and docs know how to manage your sugars in the hospital- let them- they will monitor it very closely especially right after surgery- they will make whatever adjustments need to be made and you don't have to even think about it- just focus on your walking and drinking-
As for not eating anything good again- well that's just another thing to put on the back burner- like the above poster said- everything will taste differently and you may not even like your favorite foods anymore- you may start to like new ones- you never know!
And in the beginning when you're healing- that's all you need to focus on- healing- so that's why you start on liquids then mushies then solids- and it takes a while to get to solids because you have to heal- trust the process- you won't even want to eat that much in the beginning-- your relationship with food is going to change whether you try to change it or not- so let it happen- it will- you just have to trust the process-
You're going to be amazing at this! You have all the right education, best surgeons and nurses lined up and all of us here to support you! Try to enjoy this - it's worth the ride!
Muah!