Panic is setting in...

I am realizing now that I have spent so much time researching what will be happening to my body and reading all the profiles about everyone who has taken this path, that I have failed to get myself ready for the big day. Can any of you offer advice on what to bring to the hospital? What about at home, do I need anything new? I had planned on moving the recliner into the living room that is air conditioned (it's currently in the den, NOT air conditioned), and have bought some various protein drinks,mostly Atkins, as well as some of the "tasteless" proteins. I bought one at Wild Oats Market that's a soy, and ordered the whey one off bariatriceating.com along with some of the fruit flavored protein drinks. I know I can't drink out of a straw, but do I just use a glass or does it need to be regulated like in a sippy cup? Do I need to stock up on any wound treatment stuff or does the hospital give that to us? I'm starting to get really anxious and pretty excited too... Any advice would be so appreciated, thanks, Anne

Anne: First of all I want to wish you the best of luck!!! August will be here before you know it. I think having the recliner moved to a room with A/C could not hurt. My surgery is on monday so I can tell you what I have done so far to get ready: I have plenty of Crystal light, Poland Springs and sugar free Kool Aid in the house. I also have chicken boulion cubes and sugar free popsicles. I still have to get a few cans of Slim Fast or something like that. OH... chewable vits. and Viactive too. I just plan on using a regular cup. I do have plenty of sippy cups in the house since I have a 4 year old but I don't think it will come to that. I could be wrong... OH...sugarfree jello and pudding also. This should get me thru the first 2 weeks. I will be having lap. RNY so I don't know about wound treatment stuff. I do know when I had my C-section the hospital sent me home with plenty of creams and whatnot. Hope this helps. Chryssie

OF COURSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR DR. RECOMMENDS BUT THE FIRST WEEK FOR ME WAS ALL CLEAR LIQUIDS. I STOCKED UP ON SUGAR FREE POPSICLES, NO FAT LOW SALT CHICKEN AND BEEF BROTH, ISOPURE PROTEIN CLEAR DRINKS AND CRYSTAL LIGHT. I COULD ONLY HAVE 1 OZ EVERY 10 MIN AND THEN A LITTLE LATER EVERY 15 MINUTES - I USED THE LITTLE PLASTIC 1 OZ CUPS - I GOT A STACK FROM THE HOSPITAL - BUT YOU CAN USE A REGULAR 1 OZ SHOT GLASS - I HAD A LITTLE TIMER THAT WOULD GO OFF EVERY TEN MINUTES SO I WOULDN'T FORGET TO DRINK - THE SECOND WEEK I DID DRINK THE ATKINS PREMIXED SHAKES AND STILL DO - I DID NOTHING TO MY WOUNDS - MINE WAS LAPRASCOPIC - I SLEPT IN BED, WITH PAIN MEDS - YOU MIGHT FIND THE RECLINER MORE COMFORTABLE BUT, I FOUND LAYING ON MY SIDE FELT BETTER - DON'T PANIC - YOU REALLY NEED VERY LITTLE THE FIRST WEEK - EXCEPT OF COURSE TO STAY HYDRATED - I WISH YOU LOTS OF LUCK!!

I am three weeks post op...I slept in my A/C family room on the recliner for the first five days. Take a medicine cup from the hospital..you will only be allowed a few ounces of liquid at a time..and the med cup is 1oz so a great way to measure. Protein drinks...I need to get 60 grams a day..so I used Carb Free Instant breakfast with 1 scoop of GNC designer Whey protein...with the milk its 37grams of protein... Some people like the Isopure bottle drinks as they are like koolaid and one bottle is 40 grams of protein..I found it way too sweet. Just be careful with milk..I became lactose intolerant and am not using lactaid products...which help greatly. Good luck with the surgery...its rough at first but by the time you get home you will feel lots better. Joanie

Here's some good advice I got and really used! Buy a baby fork and a baby spoon. They will help you to take small bites. Get a set of tongs and baby diaper wipes...this will come in handy when you need to wipe yourself and can't reach! I can't tell you how great this advice was!

Another thing, bring a prepaid phone card or your calling card to the hospital with you if you are going to need to make out of area phone calls. I had one and was VERY GREATFUL for it...as ALL my calls were long distance!

Hi Anne! Congratulations on getting this far and my best wishes on your surgery! Boy do I remember those anxious days just before surgery. Here's my 2 cents! For the hospital, I brought my own pillow from home (I hate those plasticy hospital pillows). I also brought slippers, but found that most often I just walked around in those grippy socks they give you at the hospital. Chapstick! Very important-couldn't live without that! I brought my favorite book and a couple of magazines, but honestly, didn't read much. That was it - you really don't need much they supply almost everything. When you get discharged they should give you everything you need for wound care. I got tons (and tons left over!). Especially the nice stuff you can put over your incisions so you can shower! As for when I got home - I lived on homemade chicken broth (strained) for almost a week. Also had some Sugar Free Jello and the IsoPure glass bottle drinks (I still live on these). I just drank from a regular glass, just not much all at once - but I did use a straw, just need to be careful. Relax and take it easy, you are well prepared. Just listen to your body and you'll know what you can tolerate and what you can't. Again best wishes for a smooth surgery and slide over to the loosing side! Hugs, Carla

Hi Anne, Congrats to you! My only advice is...and you've all heard me say it...measure yourself before your surgery date. This will be a great way to measure yourself without using your scale, and seeing the inches drop will be such a bonus. Thats my one regret...I never measured myself and to this day wish I did. Good luck and keep us informed!