I AM SO NERVOUS......YET EXCITED!!!!!

Hi everyone, some of you know me from chatting once in a while. Lois is submitting my insurance!!!! I have like 2 more lbs. to lose but Elina told me I could just go to the office and weigh in when ready. I think I am going to make the date the end of February...even if it can be sooner. I want to prepare a little longer, get my house in order, etc. Does anyone suggest a lift chair?? What else am I going to need in the hospital and after as far as home care needs? Some woman had told me to get a long wooden spoon for the hospital. She said she wrapped toilet paper around the end to wipe herself after the bathroom. She had said that because of the pain its hard to bend. Is this true? Should I bring PJ's? I definitely want to bring my own blanket. Can u guys let me know what else I need at home after and in the hospital? Thank you!!! Kristen S. Middletown

You will do great! Your in good hands. I brought my own pillow, and I did bring pj's. I brought 2 gowns and 2 sets of pj's that had pants once the folley came out. It was hard to bend the first few days but I managed. I also brought nice lotion and body wash that I had gotten from bath and body works that made me feel better once I was able to shower. bring something to read once you are awake enough to read. I didn't need a lift chair, I just took my time. I think the sooner you can move around and try to do what you can with out over doing it the better off you are. really push yourself to walk once out of surgery. I think that reallyed helped me. Make sure you have all your protien ready for when you get home. You will do great. Keep us posted! Hugs, Chrissy

Hi Kristen, I didn't need a lift chair...I did sleep in the recliner for two weeks though. I couldn't lay down flat to sleep until then. And at that point, I had to prop my belly on a pillow while sleeping on my side, it helped. I did bring one nightgown to the hospital. You're not there long enough to need more...Maybe two at the most. I didn't change into it until I got to take my first shower. I did bring my own shampoo. Bring something to slip your feet into when you go to take a walk. The blue socks they give you are a pain to get on and off and I brough a pair of sandals to just slip into. I got out of my "boot pumps" myself and then asked to be hooked back up again when I was finished. They have cherry flavored chapstick balm at the hosptial, ask for some. Bariatric patients tend to feel VERY warm/hot after surgery. They have fans on the floor that they will give to you if you ask for one. I brought my own toothbrush and paste, though they do leave some in your bathroom for you with mouthwash. For at home, let's see... Different kinds of protein shakes. I bought a variety of sample sizes at www.bariatriceating.com and www.wlssupplies.com This way I had a lot to choose from when having SO many shakes in a two week period. Low fat, creamed soup like Healthy Request. Unflavored protein powder. I swear by Unjury www.unjury.com It's 20gms of protein per scoop and is virtually flavor free and you can add it to V8 or soup or anything for a boost of your food. The Beneprotein that Dr A sells in his office is only 9gms per scoop. There are others available from GNC, but I'm not familiar with them. Chrystal lite...I got the individual packets for a one bottle serving. Lots of bariatric patients can't drink plain old water at first. Dr A told me it may be because of the ph difference, the temp, who knows? But sometimes it feels like it's hurting going down. I'd add just a tiny bit to my water bottle to give it a bit of flavor and it went down a lot easier. Vitamins and B12. You won't be starting your Calcium until week 5-6 out of surgery. Make sure your calcium is Calcium Citrate, not carbonate. Use the list that Elina gave to you for food choices during stage 3 when you come home from the hospital. Use the that pamphlet the Elina gave to you listing all the stages and what you can eat and not eat at what stage. It was like my bariatric bible and I had it at hand for a LONG time after surgery. It helped A LOT. that's all I can think of right now. You'll want to rest and get lots of rest in the hospital and when you're home, but most of all, remember, walking is key to recovery too. You MUST get up and walk around your house our outside everyday so that you won't get a clot and your incision will heal better. The first question Dr A will ask you at your 2 week visit is: "How much protein are you getting in per day?" And your response should be "65 gms or more"....Protein during the first month of recovery is essential to ensure proper staple line healing and to help prevent hair loss. Try to get down the protein daily and keep your food journal daily and calculate it daily. If you have trouble keeping or getting your shakes down/in, call the office and tell them. It's important. Good luck, Paula

Hey Kristen, You will do fine sweetie. All you will need is a pillow for your tummy. Especially for the car ride home, when you sneeze or cough too. Bring some comfortable slippers and a robe maybe. I wore my johnny coat the days I was there. You will need chapstick for your lips too. They will get very dry. The toilet paper thing I did not need, but everyone is different. Take all of Paula's advice too. She gave you wonderful resources we have all used here. Take care and be strong, you will do great we are all praying for you. Hugs KimC

HI KRISTEN I DIDN'T TAKE ANYTHING TO THE HOSPITAL EXCEPT FOR MY OWN TOILETRIES. TAKE YOUR OWN SLIPPERS BECAUSE THOSE SOCKS ARE A HASSLE TO GET INTO. MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR HOME SUPPLIES SET. DO NOT GO OUT AND BUY A TON OF ONE PARTICULAR ANYTHING BECAUSE AFTER SURGERY YOUR TASTES CHANGE. IF YOU BUY A TON OF ONE BROTH OR ONE FLAVER PROTIEN YOU MAY FIND THAT YOU CAN'T TOLERATE IT. DO HAVE SOMEONE THAT CAN MAKE PROTIEN AND OTHER STUFF RUNS FOR YOU. YOU MAY NOT FEEL UP TO DASHING TO THE STORE IF YOU NEED SOMETHING. LET THAT PERSON KNOW WHAT YOU MAY NEED AND WHERE TO FIND IT AHEAD OF TIME. I PURCHASED SOME BROTHS BEFORE MY SURGERY AND AFTER I CAME HOME I COULD NOT EVEN BEAR TO LOOK AT IT. I SEND MY HUSBAND TO GET DIFFERENT ONES BUT IT WAS A PAIN EXPLAINING IT ALL TO HIM WHILE I WAS IN PAIN OR UNDER THE INFLUANCE OF PERCOCETS. I WAS NOT IN ANY CONDITION TO EXPLAIN ANYTHING. BLESSINGS SPLENDALICIOUS

Lotion Lotion Lotion- I can't tell you how itchy and dry I was after surgery. Your own cozy bathrobe- I used mine as a blankie at night too. Paula pretty much covered it- North 4 is very accomodating. If you have a certain flavor of Crystal light you like you may want to bring it - otherwise its pot luck as to what you get. Your own jammies - 1 or 2 pair is a good idea as you will get to shower (oh what a joy) post op day 2 and again on 3 before you go home if you want. and toiletries- toothbrush and toothpaste and mouthwash - although they have them there- its not your favorite name brand if you know what I mean. Man you will want to do some major teethbrushing after that NG tube comes out. I must have brushed and rinsed 10 times a day. Slippers or slip on shoes for hall walking. I brought my own socks too - an extra pillow from home for comfort is a good idea. I didn't though and I was fine. I brought my MP3 player and my Gameboy- didn't even use them much- mostly zoned out on bad talk shows in between Dilaudids and laps in the hall. Watch out for the PCT Leah - she's a taskmaster on those laps.... but she's a really a sweetie... they all are up there.

Kristen, All good ideas! Just my 2 cents - don't overpack!! You won't use the magazines or books or anything that you thing you might need. My poor family had to lug a huge bag back and forth of all these things I thought I was going to need. All I used that I did bring - a fan, my back scratcher and my robe and slippers. That's it. Good luck! Phyllis