Upcoming DS - I have some questions!

Rotator cuff surgery is one of the most painful surgeries. I blew two fingers off when I was younger with a firework and that was less painful that having that dang shoulder rebuilt.

One of the things my DS has given me that I'm immensely thankful for is the ability to eat tasty foods without guilt. Food and I are still close friends. (*grin*)

My DS was my first-ever surgery, and it was done open. It didn't hurt nearly as much as I'd mentally prepared myself for.

The internal changes aren't as dramatic as you'd expect. Once the swelling went down, my stomach felt no different than it did pre-op. The first 6-12 months were a time of learning what my new plumbing liked and disliked, but over time I became able to tolerate pretty much anything, in moderation---and my DS has made eating in moderation something I can actually DO.

Take as little as possible to the hospital. Wear loose clothing that you can also wear home. I personally did not need a phone, a laptop, or even a book---I was on some really good drugs, and when I wasn't walking, eating, or pooping, I was sleeping.

Thank you so much, all of the replies have helped ease the anxiety.

Losing your friend food -

• Because half your tummy & it's hormone generators is gone, I just don't crave or NEED food the way I did.  Or if I do, just a taste and I realize that it isn't what I thought it would be.  I can remember eating a fresh and warm Krispy cream donut and thinking to myself "This is better than 50% of the sexual encounters I have had in my life."  I'm only 40 days out, so I'm not ready for donuts, but I seriously doubt it would work that way for me any longer.  I would still enjoy a yummy donut, but it is like my wires have been rearranged.  My husband will ask me if I like something now and I have a hell of time coming up with words other than "bad" or "good". 
• On the other hand, food can still be really good.  It can still be my friend, but it isn't NEEDEY.  All the unspoken, and deeply felt storms behind the scene are quiet right now.  It has been disconnected from my sub-conscience.  It is a great miracle and I really appreciate it!

Pain

• I had laparoscopic and it wasn't bad at all.  I think I took 3 extra pain pills at the hospital and zero Tylenol or their ilk at home. 
• It was uncomfortable.  It took me forever to find comfortable positions to sleep and moving between them got an "OWwwWW" or two, but once I settle back down it was good. 
• Walking and movement is your friend.  It is what wakes your systems back up and gets you off the *%&^^** IV and gets your muscles unclenched.  Every time you are in pain, take a walk.

Hospital Lists:

• Passport / drivers license, insurance cards. 
• Comfortable pajamas (loose fitting is best.  I liked pants so I didn't have to pull them up all the way, and the top was easily pushed aside by the nurses checking the wounds at 3 am)
• Slippers solid enough for long walks, slide on is best. 
• Comfortable outfits to wear as you walk around the hospital and to go home. 
• Underwear (more than you think you need)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush and wet wipes.
• Your pillow (smells good, helps a lot, especially on the way home) 
• A list of your current medications, health history. 
• Your cell phone and a charger (double check the data is up to date.  Hard copy back up of important phone, email & URLs)
• Cash for tipping, vending machines or mad money.
• I jus****ched TV and played on my phone.  I wasn't really up to reading a book or magazine.
• Ear plugs for my phone.  I had several self meditation and relaxation things to listen to. 
• Noise blocking ear plugs.  Eye covering might have been nice too.
• Lip balm.  Flavored is good, especially when you can't take anything by mouth. 
• Compression knee-high stockings at least 12 mmgh for your trip back

I wish I had set up a twitter account just for my surgery and let the people that wanted the gory details subscribe to that.  I didn't feel like blasting any or my normal social media accounts with "I FARTED!!!" (which really is a huge deal and reason to celebrate, but is way too much info for some.)

About the clothes...  Some people say don't ruin your own clothes and just recommend the hospital gowns, but I detested them.  First, they smell like the hospital and having something that smelled like home was very nice.  Also, this surgery is the last hurrah for these sized clothes.   As the WLS kicks in you will be shrinking so quickly that you might as well wear your favorites whilst you can, even if you do ruin them.  I didn't ruin anything, but I suppose it could happen.   

Thank you so much for each and every word you typed - they all were perfectly timed.  I am really glad to hear that your feelings related to food changed.  Congratulations on your success so far.  I hope to join you on the losers bench really soon!

Hi!  I am officially one week out from my open DS today and here's what I have so far:

1. I'm a foodie and I love to cook, and that's one reason I chose DS- because you can eat more normally.  A good foodie place is http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com/, lots of yummy sounding recipes that I can't wait to make.  And after 2-3 weeks of shakes/broth/water it's amazing how good full liquids taste.

2. Pain- I really had nothing and am not on anything.  There was some general discomfort in moving the first few days, but at a week out I can sleep in any position and move around/bend down, etc.  The worse pain I had was right after surgery, had a reaction to anesthesia that gave me nausea and caused me to retch constantly.  It luckily went away in 2-3 days.  Walk, walk, walk to get yourself moving, helps immensely.

3. Internal changes- I def have some funny noises etc going on and have had a lot of the "squirts"...but nothing feels really different or out of place.

4. Take lots of wipes to the hospital- "butt" wipes, cleansing cloths, etc.  I also brought camisoles with built in bras to be a little more comfortable.  I had a soft fleecy blanket from home which was comforting and a body pillow which helped make the first few days sleeping/sitting up easier.

Best of luck!!!!

I am feeling the exact same anxieties - thank you for asking these questions, i have also enjoyed reading the replies.