Surgery Nov.28 ... worried ... and what do I bring?
Hi everyone. Well it is a date... I am scheduled in pen. Nov.28th I will have my open RNY with Dr. Aranow. I have been 100% about this as soon as I went to the first info meeting with Dr.A. Now that there is a date in pen, and insurance approval I am scared to death. I would be fine if I didn't have my 9 year old. He is the reason I am having reserved feelings now. I keep telling myself this is the best thing for me and I have the best Dr. to do it. Why can't I just relax?
Also... What does everyone recomend I bring with me to the hospital?
Thank you for listening to me,
Chrissy
p.s. I don't have an angel, I don't need anyone to update anything, but I am looking for a post-op that can maybe help me through my feelings. Thanks!
Hey Chrissy,
Congratulations to you on your surgery date, you will do just fine. Your in great hands, Dr. Aranow has a fantastic reputation in CT. and everyone on the board loves him.
I hope all goes well with you on your journey to the losing side, welcome to the family and stay focused. My daughter was 10 when I had my surgery and she was afraid of losing me, I reassured her I was doing this so I would be around a very long time for her.
God bless to you and good luck, your in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs
KimC
Congratulations to you on your surgery date, you will do just fine. Your in great hands, Dr. Aranow has a fantastic reputation in CT. and everyone on the board loves him.
I hope all goes well with you on your journey to the losing side, welcome to the family and stay focused. My daughter was 10 when I had my surgery and she was afraid of losing me, I reassured her I was doing this so I would be around a very long time for her.
God bless to you and good luck, your in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs
KimC 
Hi, Chrissy!
Congratulations on getting your date! You and Nancy J. will be having your surgeries on the same day.
I don't have any children, so I'm not much help concerning your feelings with regard to your son.
Things to bring to the hospital:
-- Something to wear under your binder. Before I had my surgery I saw Kathy K.'s post about wearing a big T-shirt underneath the binder, but at 322 lbs. the day of surgery, I didn't own any clothing that was big on me. Also, I was always hot in hospitals. (Even now, unlike many post-ops, I'm not always cold, I'm just less warm than I used to be, which is just fine.) So I didn't want another layer with sleeves, even short sleeves, even though my surgery was in Dec.! What I bought to wear under my binder was a camisole, with spaghetti straps (the closest I came to spaghetti for a while 
). It was white, had no lace and was made of a silky fabric, so it felt nice and smooth against my skin. I bought it in a size that barely fit before surgery, so even as I lost weight during that 1st mo. as a post-op, it didn't become huge. Also, the straps were adjustable, so that helped the fit. I bought 2 of them, so that I would have one to wear while I washed the other one. (Yes...I said "1st mo."...I wore my binder for a mo. after surgery. Like anything else, that varies from person to person. Some wear their's less time.)
-- Something to wear on your feet in which you can walk fairly well. You probably will want something other than the socks with the "tread" that they give you in the hospital. But remember that you won't be able to bend over to put anything on your feet, so make it something that slips on easily unless you want to call for help every time.
-- Your lips will get very dry, and I brought lip balm to the hospital, but they gave me one anyway.
-- Back to always being hot in hospitals...I asked for a fan, which they set up in my room, but I've heard from other people who've had surgery at Middlesex more recently that they asked for fans, but didn't get one. That might have something to do with the time of year. I suppose there's less demand for fans in Dec. than there is during the summer, so the limited number of fans isn't a problem then. If you're like me, you may want to consider bringing your own fan, just in case.
-- I brought books and magazines, but was usually too out of it to read. I spent most of my time sleeping, walking, sipping or watching TV.
-- Baby wipes were refreshing during the period before I was able to take a shower.
-- Some people feel more comfortable in their own nightgown or pajamas and robe or sweatsuit than in a hospital gown. I'm different. If I'm going to spill something or if my incision might leak, I'd rather get a hospital gown dirty than my own clothes. Other than my camisole, underpants (after the catheter came out) and slippers, I didn't wear anything of my own. I wore a hospital gown (the usual open-in-back way) with another one turned the other way, with the opening in the front, as a robe when I went walking. When I was in my room, I was too hot to wear the "robe".
-- Back scratcher...I bought a cheap one at Walgreens that had one end shaped like a curved hand. I never used it to scratch my back, but it became an extension of my arm when I wanted to reach something on the table by my bed or chair. Bending and stretching, even a little bit, was way too painful for me at 1st, so I could hook the "hand" around whatever I wanted and slide it close enough to reach without stretching.
-- Loose clothing to wear home...Again, I didn't own anything that was really loose, but try to bring something that's not too tight. You won't want something that'll press or rub against the incision.
-- Some people have mentioned bringing a pillow to hold against your abdomen when you cough. I just asked for an extra pillow and was given one, but maybe I was just lucky that there was an extra one available.
That's all I can think of now.
Good luck,
Debby
). It was white, had no lace and was made of a silky fabric, so it felt nice and smooth against my skin. I bought it in a size that barely fit before surgery, so even as I lost weight during that 1st mo. as a post-op, it didn't become huge. Also, the straps were adjustable, so that helped the fit. I bought 2 of them, so that I would have one to wear while I washed the other one. (Yes...I said "1st mo."...I wore my binder for a mo. after surgery. Like anything else, that varies from person to person. Some wear their's less time.)
-- Something to wear on your feet in which you can walk fairly well. You probably will want something other than the socks with the "tread" that they give you in the hospital. But remember that you won't be able to bend over to put anything on your feet, so make it something that slips on easily unless you want to call for help every time.
-- Your lips will get very dry, and I brought lip balm to the hospital, but they gave me one anyway.
-- Back to always being hot in hospitals...I asked for a fan, which they set up in my room, but I've heard from other people who've had surgery at Middlesex more recently that they asked for fans, but didn't get one. That might have something to do with the time of year. I suppose there's less demand for fans in Dec. than there is during the summer, so the limited number of fans isn't a problem then. If you're like me, you may want to consider bringing your own fan, just in case.
-- I brought books and magazines, but was usually too out of it to read. I spent most of my time sleeping, walking, sipping or watching TV.
-- Baby wipes were refreshing during the period before I was able to take a shower.
-- Some people feel more comfortable in their own nightgown or pajamas and robe or sweatsuit than in a hospital gown. I'm different. If I'm going to spill something or if my incision might leak, I'd rather get a hospital gown dirty than my own clothes. Other than my camisole, underpants (after the catheter came out) and slippers, I didn't wear anything of my own. I wore a hospital gown (the usual open-in-back way) with another one turned the other way, with the opening in the front, as a robe when I went walking. When I was in my room, I was too hot to wear the "robe".
-- Back scratcher...I bought a cheap one at Walgreens that had one end shaped like a curved hand. I never used it to scratch my back, but it became an extension of my arm when I wanted to reach something on the table by my bed or chair. Bending and stretching, even a little bit, was way too painful for me at 1st, so I could hook the "hand" around whatever I wanted and slide it close enough to reach without stretching.
-- Loose clothing to wear home...Again, I didn't own anything that was really loose, but try to bring something that's not too tight. You won't want something that'll press or rub against the incision.
-- Some people have mentioned bringing a pillow to hold against your abdomen when you cough. I just asked for an extra pillow and was given one, but maybe I was just lucky that there was an extra one available.
That's all I can think of now.
Good luck,
Debby 
Here are a few things which were posted in a WLS support group I belong to....
Packing for the Hospital
Several light-weight, roomy dresses
A light robe
Slippers that you can slip on w/o bending
Cosmetics
Soaps
Shampoo/Rinse
Hairbrush
Liquid Tylenol (adult)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Razor
Deodorant
Other personal items
One book
Magazines
Word puzzle book
Small radio
The book is for before surgery. After surgery, you won't feel like reading. Magazines like "People" are nice because you can look at the pictures. A little later, the word puzzles will help to build your mental function and recovery from anesthesia
Liquid Tylenol is helpful to have in the event you develop a fever. Remember to read the discharge notes about fevers and when to call the doctor for a persistent fever.
Everything you could possibly need in the hospital will be provided for you, but if you like your own soaps and lotions, be sure to take them with you.
What To Have At Home After RNY Surgery
(This list refers to RNY surgery; other surgeries may require different things. Please ask your
surgeon about their own recovery and eating plan that they want you to follow after surgery; this
list is only a very general guide--you may or may not wish to use the things listed here--and they are only suggestions on what many of us have found helpful.)
NON-FOOD ITEMS:
-measuring cups
-measuring spoons
-small strainers for soup and canned goods
-disposable Zip Lock containers
-sandwich bags
-paper plates/bowls/glasses/silverware
-measuring scale for weighing food
-a measured water pitcher that isn't too heavy to lift when full
-a blender
-extra paper towels and tp
-have several clean nightgowns/robe/slippers/loose clothing/dusters to wear
-put clean sheets on the bed
-a bed wedge and/or extra pillows to help you get out of bed
-a mortar and pestle for crushing pills (or other pill crusher)
-a good body lotion for dry skin
-medication lists with timetables (especially for the narcotics) and a place to check them off as you take them
FOOD/MED ITEMS:
-the vitamins/calcium/B-12/acid-blockers etc. your doctor recommends including:
-Lactase (for being lactose intolerant)
-Phazyme (for excess gas)
-Maalox (for acid stomach)
-juice (unsweetened apple/grape/pear etc.)
-Gatorade (for electolyte imbalance)
-sugar free Popsicles/fruit juice freezer bars
-beef and chicken soup and/or bullion cubes or powder
-cream soups (Cream of Chicken/Mushroom/Celery/Potato/Tomato)
-unsweetened applesauce
-canned lite pears/peaches/fruit ****tail
-canned veg (green beans/peas/mixed veg.)
-refried beans (get lowest fat possible)
-mashed potatoes (KFC has them already prepared with gravy which is handy)
-sugar free jello and pudding
-skim milk (if you can tolerate the dairy and sugar in it)
-eggs
-lite yogurt
-low fat cottage cheese
-fat free cream cheese
-low salt saltine crackers
-baby food (the ones high in protein--meats etc.)
-grilled chicken that is pureed and poured into ice cube trays; this provides handy, 1 oz. per cube
portions that are easy to microwave and keep track of serving size and protein content
-protein supplements (Contact Michelle Curran at www.vitalady.com; she sells many
different kinds, and has samples, so you can find one you like without great expense.)
Though some doctors and nutritionists say to use sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast/Ensure and other popular supplements, I have not included them here because one, they are either high in
calories, or you have to make them with milk, which makes many people dump. Also, the calories
(sugar) in these products are too high for the best weight loss, and they do not provide the best
protein supplementation. Patients DO use them, though, and I would say the choice is up to you and your doctor. I would suggest you write to Michelle and talk about it with her; she has tons of
nutritional info and can explain this rationale further. Write her at: [email protected]
-canned tuna, canned chicken, potted meats (when you are allowed to start meats)
If you still need an angel, I would be glad to help. Always willing to listen.
Peter
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