What to have on hand at home post-op

For those of you who have been through WLS, what kind of things should a person have waiting for them when they come home from the hospital? I know you have to have whatever your food sources will be, but what other things did you maybe not have but in retrospect wish you would have? I'm trying to prepare my house now for when I come home from surgery...purchasing the types of things I'll need for my nutrition, etc...and just thought I'd ask those who BTDT what they might recommend. Thanks in advance!

Laura: I haven't had the surgery yet but have the unique and wonderful resource of a husband who had it a year ago... I know that the things that helped him a lot were, of course, comfy clothing and a light blanket as he tended to run "hot and cold" in the first few days home - didn't have a fever or anything, I think it was just from sitting or laying so much. A big water cup with a straw is good, too. Although you can't drink much at once you will be wanting to sip, sip, sip - both because its healthy and because dry mouth can be a problem. Having a large cup keeps you from having to worry about refills. I would suggest an insulated cup so it will keep your water cold all day. One thing neither he or I thought about until he was home was a table to put beside his chair that was an easy height for him to reach. The table we had was low, and he couldn't bend over to pick things up off it. So we had to move another table close to him so he could have his things close at hand. Most of the other stuff were things he had with him in the hospital - kleenex, a pillow to hold over his incision, and (very importantly) lip balm as his lips were very dry and cracked. Also a pair of comfortable, slip-on shoes to wear when you walk - he used a clog-style shoe (I would love to mention the brand name, but I don't know if that's OK to do) as they are very comfortable, easy to put on, and gave more support than just a standard houseshoe... I can't think of much else, although I am sure I will remember after my own surgery when I don't have something on hand that we had gotten for him - LOL!! Just seems like you can't think of everything... Mostly, I hope you have a supportive and caring friend or family member at home to help get you through the first days of transition. My thoughts are with you. Good luck and God Bless, RL

I just had Lap RNY 11/1/05. Feeling good although mornings are tuff. Things I was thankful for this last week were: Decaf Tea - I like it with splenda and fat-free Half and Half (a splash) Sugar Free Jello Sugar-Free Kool-Aid Sports Drinks like Propel, PowerAde and Fruit2O Sugar-Free Juice (diluted) I do have advice on Broth - buy more than one kind, I cannot stand the taste of the stuff in the can (I used too, go figure) but the chicken bouillion cubes made super good broth. I also just yesterday made my husband (who also had the surgery 2 years ago, lost 110 pounds) bring me to an upscale grocery store so I could scope out different broths and bouillion (haven't tried them yet) and different flavored tea (since that is going down really good. I am super excited about changing flavors of jello today (really sad I know, but you'll see). Other than food: Comfy clothes - ones that are loose enough on your belly, I bought some sports pants at Target that have a loose wasteband. Comfy Jammies - also loose on the belly (anything that touches my belly button incision is uncomfortable) I have a breakfast in bed tray that I have proped beside me on the couch that I use to hold all my drinks, medicine, my hospital book, the phone, the remote, a themometer, a pen and paper. Movies/books/good TV Comfy socks (ones that are not too tight, my ankles have been a little swollen) Oh and I made my husband go out and buy me little bowls for my broth and jello because I was getting sick of drinking everything, so now I eat those out of my little bowl with a spoon (kinda makes it seem like a meal) and I love my little tea cup. Focus on little, the regular bowls we had made me feel bummed, because my 2 ozs of broth barley covered the bottom. A pillow and a blanket (I had to sleep in the recliner for the first few days, I haven't been able to make it though the night yet laying down in bed, I always end up going back to the recliner.) Well good luck to you; let me know if you have any questions I be happy to answer them! Debbie

Hi I had my surgery on the 2nd and am doing great. For the house I would have lots of water, you will find out your new pouch might prefer very cold or luck warm it might be temp sensitive. I never liked strawberry drinks becaus eof the artifical flavors but the optisource carmel and there strawberry drinks are great. When you are in the hospital they should give you little cups in ml like what people take meds out of save them adn bug them for more at every meal they come in handy when you come home. For the first two weeks liquid multi vitamins they all taste nasty sorry. After the two weeks you can switch to chewable or just ask you doc. Also chewable iron. I love my pestile adn morter becuase I can grind any meds up to put in my liquids. They also have pill crushers. By different flavors of stuff because you will be drinking so much liquid you will be like can I stop please. You will need some gause adn tape to change your dressings, want to keep them dry. So what I do is first take my shower then I change it to a clean dry dressing. Jello is cool but I am 6 days out and I havent added anythign but protein and water because I can drink the valume yet in a day to get all the water down. It gets easier everyday but it is a challenge.My doc said everythign is fine also. Since volume is my issue I have started taking my Nectar prtein( fuzzy navel) and adding only 4to6oz of water to it and it decreases the volume but not the nutrienes. It is thick this way so i just put it in a glass with ice cubes and it goes down just fine. Mind you it will take you all day of sipping to get what you need in. You will be tired and othertimes you will feel great, just remember your still healing and when you are tired rest.