Prepping for surgery

[nikki914 1]

What do I need for after surgery? I have heard that Gas-X is good but what what else would you recommend, food, medicine or anything that you wish you knew or worked for you!

My insurance company finally approved me yesterday!!:laugh: My date is January 13, 2009.

THANK YOU!!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

One BIGGIE is have some kind of soothing lip balm (soft lips or some such) for post op care because they give you drugs to dry up your secretions and your lips are REALLY dry afterward. So is your mouth etc but the lips especially bothered me.

And liquid tylenol!

[TQUAD64 9]

Prior to surgery make family meals ahead of time or have some one else cook for you.

Pick up all your liquid diet phase supplies ahead of time.

Liquid Tylenol

Isopure clear fruit flavored Protein drinks (40 grams of protein)

Chapstick

Have the doctor call in your RX meds the day before surgery.

Clean house before surgery.

[LuvMySteelers 0]

My doctor prescribed Loritab liquid for pain relief after surgery. It worked fantastic. I only needed it for the first few days, then I was able to switch to Liquid Tylenol.

[jeanangell 0]

Thanks, going thru the check lists myself. I was wondering how much help you need afterwards. I live by myself and am having a friend stay with me for a couple of days... will that be enough. She lives only a couple of blocks away if I needed anything.:laugh:

[LuvMySteelers 0]

Thanks, going thru the check lists myself. I was wondering how much help you need afterwards. I live by myself and am having a friend stay with me for a couple of days... will that be enough. She lives only a couple of blocks away if I needed anything.:laugh:

I live with my aunt, who is a nurse (thank god!). My surgery was Monday. She was with me all day Monday & Tuesday. She went back to work on Wednesday and I was alone. I stayed upstairs in our house on the couch in the bonus room. We have two dogs, so I would have to go downstairs several times and let the dogs in & out, as well as get Water to drink. I was fine when she went back to work, and by Wednesday I was feeling good enough to walk around. You should be okay, and knowing that she lives close is the peace of mind you'll need to know someone is there if needed! Good luck with your surgery!

[krtork 0]

You should be fine having someone stay for two days.

Make sure you are up, walking and sipping your Water. That was the most important thing for feeling better, it gets everything moving! The Water is important to help you not get dehydrated, that can come on real quick, so sip, sip, sip!

The other suggestions for supplies are great! Make sure you stock up ahead of time so you don't have to worry about shopping and get your prescrips called in before hand so you have them when you go home from the hospital.

Good Luck!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Something I did was have some good movies and a couple books lined up for entertainment...but I felt so good it was more "life as usual" than a sick day or two! I can't take lortab/vicodin/hydrocodone because it makes me vomit, so make sure you tell your doc if you've had it in the past and it causes nausea! :laugh: And maybe you won't have to sip your Water, if you aren't too swollen or inflammed. That part scared me so I was happy to discover I could drink normally (and that is ok...liquids flow through easily if you aren't inflammed or restricted so you don't have to worry about stretching your pouch unless you REALLY chug it down)

[jeanangell 0]

thanks, what about pain medications - they say they don't want you taking Nonsteroidals but I have heard to be sure to have some liquid tylenol... can you take that?

I have fibromyalgia so I am trying to figure out what I am going to do for pain/anti-inflammatories. I know I am going to have to change some of the medications - did you just have them ordered at Walgreens/CVS or did you have to get them somewhere special.

You have no idea (or maybe you do:tongue_smilie:) how much this helps calming my nerves and I am sure so many others prior to surgery:smile:

[RestlessMonkey 7]

thanks, what about pain medications - they say they don't want you taking Nonsteroidals but I have heard to be sure to have some liquid tylenol... can you take that?

I have fibromyalgia so I am trying to figure out what I am going to do for pain/anti-inflammatories. I know I am going to have to change some of the medications - did you just have them ordered at Walgreens/CVS or did you have to get them somewhere special.

You have no idea (or maybe you do:tongue_smilie:) how much this helps calming my nerves and I am sure so many others prior to surgery:smile:

Tylenol isn't an NSAID...it doesn't impact inflammation...just pain, fever. It's safe to take.

Please check with your surgeon about NSAIDS though. Some surgeons will give patients who need them (like patients with RA for example) directions on how specifically to take them to minimize danger to the band. If your meds are working you don't want to mess with them too much!

And FYI I can take pills just fine; many people can, at least for a while. You won't know what works for you, pill-size wise, until you're "there"! :laugh:

[sil 0]

hi nikki914 i am getting banded on the 13th also.i do my pre-admission testing om january 5th,an also one on one session with my surgeon he is gonna prescribe my pain meds ahead of time for the pharmacy. an he require no pre-op diet. wishing you a new year,for our brand new journey.

[bumble-bee 0]

Another January 13 person here. Everyone is giving great advice. I think I'll end up being over-prepared but that should be a good thing! :laugh: