pj_txlady 0 Posted July 27, 2008 Orea, I noticed your surgery date is in 4 days. Will be anxious to hear from you, mine will be 5 days later. You must be so excited !! I can't wait. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orea15 0 Posted July 27, 2008 I am excited, and nervous more about forgetting something I need than about the surgery itself. But my wonderful husband has put together a spreadsheet with the master list of what to take to the hospital, what to have ready for afterward, etc. so I guess I'll do okay. They said to label my CPAP machine and stuff, so I had a bright idea and used some of my extra address labels where I could, and a Sharpie for the rest. I'm almost all packed... :-) I may be more thrilled to be on my last few days of Optifast, than the actual surgery! LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pj_txlady 0 Posted July 27, 2008 I am excited, and nervous more about forgetting something I need than about the surgery itself. But my wonderful husband has put together a spreadsheet with the master list of what to take to the hospital, what to have ready for afterward, etc. so I guess I'll do okay. They said to label my CPAP machine and stuff, so I had a bright idea and used some of my extra address labels where I could, and a Sharpie for the rest. I'm almost all packed... :-) I may be more thrilled to be on my last few days of Optifast, than the actual surgery! LOL I got lucky and not having to do the liquid diet before. i'm on a strict diet, but i can eat 3 meals a day. since monday i have lost 8 lbs. what is a cpap machine? what is needed for the hospital? i was told, lose clothing, ( i bought a cute moo moo type long dress) slip on shoes. drs office called yesterday and told my hubby my meds will be ready to pick up at a compound pharmacy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elayne 0 Posted July 27, 2008 Just a quick question - I assume that this surgery is basically a "short stay" procedure. In - prepped - surgery -post - instructions -and then out. Are there situations when an overnight is necessary? And I've read where occasionally they have to resort to an "open" surgery (as opposed to the laparoscope) Anyone experience this? :tt2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter930 0 Posted July 27, 2008 Just banded Wednesday how long do you have to drink 64 oz of liquid per day ? All info on liquids for 2 weeks were different from my DR , NUTR , and Hospital ? I have been living on Bullion, diet ice tea decaff , Jello, and Carnation instant Breakfast (2 per day).Very scared about pb I have always eatened like they wer throwing the switch at midnight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orea15 0 Posted July 27, 2008 I got lucky and not having to do the liquid diet before. i'm on a strict diet, but i can eat 3 meals a day. since monday i have lost 8 lbs. what is a cpap machine? what is needed for the hospital? i was told, lose clothing, ( i bought a cute moo moo type long dress) slip on shoes. drs office called yesterday and told my hubby my meds will be ready to pick up at a compound pharmacy. The CPAP machine is for those of us with sleep apnea. We need to bring it along so we can use it in the hospital. I've heard that lip balm is good to bring along. Someone suggested Wet wipes. Whatever you need for a little personal hygiene. The interview nurse at the hospital (who had a bypass 6 or 7 years ago and looks great!) suggested I might want to bring a pair of shorts or the like to wear with my hospital gown while walking. A bra that is soft, with no underwires in case you have an incision that might be irritated by it. If you have an incentive spirometer, bring that along. The hospital gave me one to practice on at home -- If you don't have one, they'll provide it there. If you don't know what one is, don't worry! Bring something to occupy yourself, a few books or a DVD player and some movies or an Ipod...labeled!! Reading glasses or contacts if needed. That's all I have on the top of my head at the moment. I was thinking of bringing some funny videos, but then I wondered if it would hurt to laugh.:tt2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orea15 0 Posted July 27, 2008 Some people are released the same day. I don't know how this decision is made, but my surgeon seems to prefer to keep us overnight. The laparoscopic procedure will change if the surgeon has a problem doing it that way, for example if your liver is too big and fatty, or you have lots of adhesions from previous surgeries. This is why it is so important to adhere to preop diet instructions! There is a lot at stake. If an emergency occurs, they may switch to an open procedure, too. Hope this helps. I'm off to have more Optifast. Orea Just a quick question - I assume that this surgery is basically a "short stay" procedure. In - prepped - surgery -post - instructions -and then out. Are there situations when an overnight is necessary? And I've read where occasionally they have to resort to an "open" surgery (as opposed to the laparoscope) Anyone experience this? :tt2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pj_txlady 0 Posted July 27, 2008 The CPAP machine is for those of us with sleep apnea. We need to bring it along so we can use it in the hospital. I've heard that lip balm is good to bring along. Someone suggested Wet wipes. Whatever you need for a little personal hygiene. The interview nurse at the hospital (who had a bypass 6 or 7 years ago and looks great!) suggested I might want to bring a pair of shorts or the like to wear with my hospital gown while walking. A bra that is soft, with no underwires in case you have an incision that might be irritated by it. If you have an incentive spirometer, bring that along. The hospital gave me one to practice on at home -- If you don't have one, they'll provide it there. If you don't know what one is, don't worry! Bring something to occupy yourself, a few books or a DVD player and some movies or an Ipod...labeled!! Reading glasses or contacts if needed. That's all I have on the top of my head at the moment. I was thinking of bringing some funny videos, but then I wondered if it would hurt to laugh.:tt2: i feel so dumb....lol i dont know what a spirometer is. i won't be staying overnight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orea15 0 Posted July 27, 2008 i feel so dumb....lol i dont know what a spirometer is. i won't be staying overnight. Well that simplifies things! The spirometer is a doohickey you breathe into to measure your lung capacity... to keep your lungs healthy after the surgery. :-) I didn't know what they were until they gave me one and showed me how to use it, at a class I had to take. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsylvr 0 Posted July 27, 2008 Wow! I never had time for any of this stuff. My surgery was scheduled for 9 am. I got to the hospital at 7 am. I remember looking at the clock in the OR and it was 9:20. I woke up in recovery what seemed like a couple of minutes later and was out the door and on my way home by 1:40. That was 7-11-08. I was back to work on the 21st. I do wish I had taken another week off. I guess us older folks take longer to get our energy back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pj_txlady 0 Posted July 27, 2008 Well that simplifies things! The spirometer is a doohickey you breathe into to measure your lung capacity... to keep your lungs healthy after the surgery. :-) I didn't know what they were until they gave me one and showed me how to use it, at a class I had to take. oh that doohickey....they used that on me when i had my hysterectomy. duh:huh2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoannMarie 0 Posted July 27, 2008 Doohickey... Ladies, I'm pretty sure you have to be a medical professional to use that term. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Great2BThin 5 Posted July 27, 2008 The CPAP machine is for those of us with sleep apnea. We need to bring it along so we can use it in the hospital. I've heard that lip balm is good to bring along. Someone suggested Wet wipes. Whatever you need for a little personal hygiene. The interview nurse at the hospital (who had a bypass 6 or 7 years ago and looks great!) suggested I might want to bring a pair of shorts or the like to wear with my hospital gown while walking. A bra that is soft, with no underwires in case you have an incision that might be irritated by it. If you have an incentive spirometer, bring that along. The hospital gave me one to practice on at home -- If you don't have one, they'll provide it there. If you don't know what one is, don't worry! Bring something to occupy yourself, a few books or a DVD player and some movies or an Ipod...labeled!! Reading glasses or contacts if needed. That's all I have on the top of my head at the moment. I was thinking of bringing some funny videos, but then I wondered if it would hurt to laugh.:tt2: Wow you are prepared. All I went with were the clothes on my back. LOL Oh and they told me I needed my photo ID (I'm sure there's lots of imposters wanting to have surgery LOL). so I brought that and they never asked for it. I didn't stay overnight though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Great2BThin 5 Posted July 27, 2008 Doohickey... Ladies, I'm pretty sure you have to be a medical professional to use that term. Not to be confused with a Thing-a-ma-jig Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoannMarie 0 Posted July 27, 2008 Not to be confused with a Thing-a-ma-jig LONG!! You never told us you were a medical professional!!:tt2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites