Less than one month!!

Hello! I am new to this site and I am in need of some wise words.  My surgery date is April 6th.  Does anyone have any advise before surgery? Like how to get prepared?  Looking back now is there anything you would have done that you didnt before surgery?  Im so excited but nervous also.  I have tried to get approved for three years!!!!  Cant wait to be on the looser side! All advise will be appreciated!

I know that by now that Dr. Freeman has given you a manual to go by, read that manual and then reread it. Ever time that you read it  you will find that you learn something new each time. Go by the manual and do exactly as they say.  Listen and do exactly as Ann and Joyce tell you to do and you will not go wrong.  You are in the best of hands, you are getting  2 for the price  as Tim is wonderful. My only advice to you would be  to stop drinking with meals now so that it will not be so hard to do after surgery.  If you need any further help feel free to ask. You will do good.

Hi and welcome to the Bama Board!!!  First of all, you are in great hands with your surgeon and staff.  (Although I am a bit biased.)  As Louise said, read that manual he gives you.  It is step by step what you need to do.  I think we have all been nervous and anxious at the same time.  I also had to wait three years and two appeals to be approved.  You are gonna do great!!!!  Just make sure you get that protein and water after your WLS.  It will be slow, but it will come.  I wish you all the best in your new journey.  It is an awesome one!!!!

Thank you for both of your advise.  I have read the manual over and over.  I just wanted a few tips. I love Dr. Freeman! God sent him to me!   Some things I still am confused with but I meet with him on April 2 and I have been writing down questions to ask. Like I take Iron and I have read on here where people have trouble swallowing pills after the bypass. So how in the world will I get that big horse pill down?  Just little things like that.  I had a friend that gave me great advise also to eat slower now so it wont be so hard after the surgery.  Once again thanks for the advise!

Right after surgery he will let you do the chewable childrens vitamins and I think you can crush the calcium and put it in a little bit of applesauce and take it that way. He will give you an injection for you B12 before you leave the hospital. You will be good for a month with that one. I had a hard time swallowing those big ole pills right after surgery and still do some days. I sent you a PM last night.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery!  It will be here before you know it.  These are the things I did to get prepared:

1.  Got off of sodas
2. Got off of caffeine
3.  Ordered some samples of protein shakes (your tastes will change - so don't order a big bucket of protein powder)
4.  Stocked fridge with sf jello, pudding, broth (chicken, veggie, etc.), sf popsicles
5.  Ordered or bought good quality chewable vitamins.  This is what I take, but I guess you should follow your surgeon's or nutritionist's advice:
Chewable Calcium Citrate (Bariatric Advantage) - I like the cinnamon
Chewable multi-vitamin with extra A and D (Bariatric Advantage)
Sublingual (under the tongue) B12 (Bariatric Advantage)
Chewable iron (29 mg) (Bariatric Advantage)
I am of the opinion that chewable children's vitamins aren't the way to go.  Sorry, that's just me and a lot of research I've read.
6.  Clean house and get laundry done (HAHA).  I just did this to stay busy and I knew I'd feel better about it when I got home from the surgery.

What to take to the hospital:
You really don't need pjs and robe.  You can use two hospital gowns (one worn over the other backwards as a robe when you get up to walk--it's really the easiest)
chapstick
slippers (or just use the slipper socks they provide)
your own pillow
the usual toiletries, hairbrush, etc.
*Important* - something loose (big) to wear home as you will be very swollen and sore (I could not wear a bra, so I took a camisole with a built in soft bra to wear under my blouse to come home)

Ok Thanks!  I will make note of all the advise!    Thanks again for your replys!