Questions about the necessities for the hospital & for when you get home

What does everyone bring with them on your date of surgery?  What [foods] did you buy in preparation for your liquid diet for when you get home?  How long did your surgery take, how long were you in the hospital and how many days did you take off from work before you were ready to go back?  Lots of questions!!  I'm set up for the lapband procedure, but even if you've had the bypass, can you send me some general answers. 

Sharon, pack lite. Bring a toothbrush, toothpaste, a brush, comb, mouthwash & jammies.  Defintely bring chapstick for your lips. It was the only thing I was able to put near my mouth for a couple days. Get a favorite flavor you like. Oh you will be able to sip on a little water and ice chips, but not much more than that. I am RNY and was in the hospital for 3 days. I was on severence from my job of 25 yrs so I was able to get to the gym everyday for about 9 months which was awesome. Lap banders only stay overnight.  My daughter had lapband in February and was discharged the next day. She's doing great and has lost about 25 lbs already and feels pretty good. She went back to work in 3 & 1/2 weeks.  I didn't take any food to the hospital. But make sure you get SF jello, sugar free popsicles and try a couple different protein drinks. Don't go overboard and buy too much, your tastebuds may like it before surgery, but after it might make you gag. Get your chewable vitamins ready. Vitamin C & B12 is a must. You won't be able to drive for a few weeks, so line up family & friends to pick you up and get you out walking. Try to get to a support group. It is so encouraging. Especially good to discuss feelings or ask questions and us oldies love to help.   Remember your main job for the 1st coiuple weeks will be to WALK, SIP AND BREATHE.  THEN DO  IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.  Stay focused and positive and aim for your goal to get healthy. Keep the questions coming. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Sharon, Elissa is right on the mark!  LITE LITE LITE  You can even go home in the clothes that you arrived in the hospital with.  Just make sure the waist band isn't too tight.  Also if you have big breasts, I do or at least did, the underwire would put pressure on the top incision so I put a thick sock under the wire so it didn't hurt the cut. Best Wishes for a speedy recovery!

Sharon, Elissa said it all.  She has been advising newbies for a while.  I had  my surgery 2 1/2 years ago and I think I stayed in the hospital gown and didn't even wear the things I brought.  I did use the chap stick though so make sure you pack that.  She is also right on about your tastes changing.  Don't buy too many protein things in advance.  I lived on SF jello, pudding and Popsicles.  Lots of good luck and keep the questions coming.  We will try our best to give you answers. ((hugs)) Ellen

Thank you all for your responses!  I really can't buy anything (protein powder-wise****il after my endocrinology clearance on the 28th of this month.  That's next week OMG!!  I'm excited!  I'm not worried yet though.  Maybe after the doctor pinches me I might start to worry.  I have been preparing my house though.  I woke up at 3 a.m. & couldn't sleep so I re-organized the pantry & the spices cabinet!!!  Isn't that what women do when they're pregnant?  I mean, clean & build their nest for the new baby???  No, that's definitely not an issue here.  My "baby" just had her 27th b-day.  Chapstick is a great idea!  ...and I can always use s/f ice pops & pudding.   Keep reading my posts.  They're so therapeudic to me to just write out my thoughts.  You can probably see that the way I handle stress is through my sense of humor.  My poor husband told me that he was frightened about the procedure in that I might die.  I told him that no one from my doctor's practice has died yet, so if I die, I'll be the first!!!  Just imagine the expression on his face.  Oh no!!  I'm a meanie!!!  I actually told him later that I was so relieved that he is sharing his thoughts with me and that he knows I'm a fighter and I won't die!!!  I'm not done with my goal on earth...bugging my husband!!! 

Writing your thoughts out is a good thing...you find so much out about yourself that way!  Good luck with your new journey!   Debbie

Dear Debbie, You're so right!  I'm even going to go one step further, as long as my surgery turns out ok and I'm going to give out my e-mail address to other Type I (insulin dependent) diabetics considering surgery.  We are a rarity.  It's mostly Type 2 diabetics who have the weight issues.  I just happened to be blessed with Type 2 tendancies (insulin resistance) along with my Type I diabetes.  I know I have many new friends here on OH & that is so conforting to me!  Keeping my blog up-to-date is also very helpful.  I get to share my success with everyone! 

Sharon, you have a great attitude for this surgery....you will do well.  I look forward to meeting you at one of the Delaware events soon. Debbie