Second guessing: rny vs lapband

Hi again, I have another question.... In support group last month someone mentioned after the rny you have to give yourself shots!! Is it for blood clot prevention? Can't remember what they said.  What's that about?  I have never heard this before!  Thanks, Laura

Laura,
The best info I can give you is the shots are 1 of 2 things. Yes they give you shots in the belly for blood clots. Do you go home with it to give yourself shots,that is depending on how eager you are to get up and walk, how much you walk, and the distence you walk. Walking is soooo important! It helps you heal, gets rid of painful gas,prevents blood clots. And with some luck you will not have to give yourself shots at home. The other shot that may have been spoken about is the B-12 shot. That is a important vitamin that you will have to get daily doses of.At Clarion North we had a choice of either 1x a month B-12 shots, or daily sublingual pills that dissolve under your tougue. I ghose the pills,but if my levels are to low at check up time I could be made to do the shots. Trust me I do not miss a dose.I did not have to take the blood clot shot after leaving the hospital,but I was asking to walk before I was completely awake from anastesia.But I was literally walking within a hour of coming out of the recovery room. I walked my butt off,sometimes in the middle of the night with the help of the awesome nurses I had. I went home 3 days later feeling really good. What hospital are you going through? Is is a Center of Excellence? I had my first surgery at a non C of E hospital and it was awful! There is a big difference in whare you go!Talk to you soon.

I am going thru St Vincent Carmel, Dr. RoseMarie Jones.  And, I will also walk, walk, walk!  I did that after my hysterectomy.  It was laparoscopic and no pain, no problems, up and walking right away.  And it turned out to be quite the operation, taking four hours and tremendous loss of blood, had to have a transfusion, the fibroids were enormous; but, anyhow, afterwards I was great!!!  I'm not one to laze about after surgery, so hopefully that holds true after my rny.  Where do you get the sublingual vit. b12 pills? 

I have not had a problem ever finding them at Krogers. They just had them on sale for buy one get one free. They are really good,cherry flavored and about 8.00 dollars. I am glad to hear that you are going to St. V. My friend went there and had dr. brenda Cacucci. I hear great things about her as well as your doc!I think you will be in great hands and with you knowing how important it is to walk I just know you will be a success! I am happy to be able to converse with you and be some support for you.

Christina, Thank you so much for all your help and information.  Another thing I have on my mind is I wonder what I should buy or have ready or prepared to eat when I get home from the hospital.  I hear there is some preparation involved.  Someone said they pureed stuff and froze it in ice cube trays to thaw and eat.  I have also heard that there are some items like tiny spoons, bowls, measure cups, scales, etc I should buy.  But another person said they were told to buy all this stuff and they did and they did not need half of it.  I will ask at support group if someone could put a list together for me.  But surely they will tell us all this in the class before surgery.  Wondering do you have any helpful hints for me that way??  Thanks!

I can tell you what I had at home ahead of time that really helped me. When I got home from the hospital I was tolerating clear liquids very well and met my goal the hospital had set for me before I could be discharged. I was told in my class that usually by the time we get home we should be trying full liquids,ie:cream soups that are fat-free. I was also told to experament with protein powders to find one that you like because you will need to sip it all day,in order to get 60-80 grams a day.I must admit to you I am really having a problem with my protein intake. It is the biggest problem most people have. The isopure that they give you in the hospital is the only thing that I can stand to drink. I did have 1oz medicine cups that you can get at supply stores,they are very useful, I am still useing them.I have a baby spoon that I used during the pureed stage,it teaches you to eat small,and slow.You do not really need measuring cups if you can get some 1oz cups.I know people that have done the ice cube tray deal and it makes perfect sense,but that really comes later.Your biggest job right now should be buying sample paks of protein and getting recipes for your protein shakes. There is a recipe forum on here with great ideas.Have a sippy cup ready. And find a schedule that works good with your lifestyle so you can fit your vitamins all in.Chewable centrum vitimins,liquid calcium citrate, or chewable calcium chews from Bariatric choice, and of corse the B-12 at krogers that I mentioned.OH Tomato soup has to much sugar so do not use it. I always used fat-free mushroom, asparagus,chicken,and broccoli. another rule that is good is to keep a journal of your food and vit. sometimes they want to see it after a few weeks post-op.If i think of anything else I will share with you,hope this helps.

Oh my gosh, thank you for all that!  What brand of fat free soups do you like to use?  Laura

You are welcome! I remembered some other great ideas for you late last night. You may be able to handle the LIGHT DRINKABLE YOUGURTS during the full liquid stage,but if not try them in your PUREED STAGE.I was able to drink the drinkable yougurt in the full liquid stage.Always remember to sip slowly, all your meals that are measured 2oz should take you 20 min. to eat.And always wait the 30 min. before you drink anything after you eat.The clock will be your best friend for a long time. You will not get a hunger sensation reminding you to eat,that is why scheduling your 3 meals a day are important.My favorite soups that I had on hand were cream of mushroom, chicken, broccoli, aspergas, all fat free of corse. I still use the soups and I always have broths on hand.The protein that you will need will come from alot of protein shakes that you will have to learn to love.Do you like a brand yet? did you check out the recipe forums? Alot of people think that sugar is the only thing that will make you DUMP,and get sick but too much FAT will cause it too!A good protein drink to try is the ADKINS brand at WALMART. THEY ARE READY TO DRINK,AND THEY ARE MORE TOLERABLE THAN SOME OTHERS.Also if you do not have a GREAT blender you should buy one of those also.One of these days I am going to buy the HEALTHMASTER BLENDER,that Montel Williams does a commercial for.There is alot of info to know and I will be glad to help you thru all the stages. You will get thru this and be on the losers bench real soon.