3 Days Away!!! OMG.. 3 Days Away!?>!>!?>!

My surgery is 3 days away!! I cannot believe it. My stomach is in knots. I know what to expect, pretty much, but that doesn't take away from the fact that I'm a little freaked out, and scared . I'm sure it's all normal.. I just can't make myself relax. I took the day off of work tomorrow to get some stuff done prior to surgery, but I work Tuesday, then Wednesday is the day. I'm just a ball of mixed emotions. What if something goes wrong? I don't have a will.. I don't have much life insurance. These are all things I guess I should have thought about a month or two ago. I just can't believe it's happening so quickly!!! The hospital gave me a little list of some helpful items to bring with me, but do any of you have any ideas that they didn't list? They said, chapstick, pillows, wet wipes (flushable kinds), tongs (umm.. they said it was for wiping your hiney?!?), slippers, shampoo, robe, and a few men's t-shirts for under your binder. Also -- any ideas on stuff I should stock up on, so they will be here when I get home? I'm sure these questions have been asked a thousand times before... I shoulda been paying closer attention Thanks guys!!! Kelly G.

Your feelings are totally normal. I felt the same way before my surgery. Aren't you having your surgery at GWUH? You are in great hands, the staff there is wonderful and the doctor's are top notch. I brought a bag full of stuff because I'm a girl and that's what we do...lol. Anyway, the main things I used were CHAPSTICK, a rubber band to tie my hair back, facial cleansers to clean off my face, and a good book. Everything else I had pretty much stayed in the bag. I was too busy walking around or sitting in the chair and sleeping. I brought slippers too but used the socks they give you in the pre-op area, those were comfortable and kept my feet warm. I never took a shower while I was there just freshend up daily. I did bring a change of clothes because the staff said I may want to change into those but I stayed in the gown, it was just more comfortable that way. Beware of the binder, the night of my surgery the nurse came in my room around midnight to put it on me and it was so tight I started to cry...she then put an extra one on me to make it looser. I liked the binder much better after that. For when you get home, just make sure you have your protein drinks, water, broth, and sugar free popsicles. Best of luck finding a comfortable position to sleep in, if you have a recliner I strongly reccommend that! You will be sore for the first couple days but I was feeling great in about 3-4 days afterwards. Best of luck to you and let us know how you are doing after surgery. My thoughts & prayers will be with you. Jamie

Yes, I am having my surgery at GW, and I'm glad you had such a good experience there, that gives me hope that it will be pleasant. I was there the other day to see Miriam, the bariatric coordinator.. and there was a lady in there that I guess just had surgery the same day or the day before, and she was crying and screaming in pain.. so that was a little frightening!! Thank you so much for your input.. I'm just a nervous wreck, and not sure what I'm doing at this point. I do not have a recliner, which is awful, because I know I am going to have one heck of a time sleeping in my bed, because my 2 yr old sleeps with us.. and loves to kick and turn around in the bed constantly. I think I may resort to the couch... or our spare bedroom. I will definitely post after the surgery to let everyone know about my experience. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers... that means the world to me. Kelly

Miriam was awesome, she walked around the unit with me the day after surgery. I never heard anyone screaming in the unit, I probably would have been frightned too. In the recovery room, there was a man laying next to me moaning the whole time saying "oh, god oh god" but it was just annoying. I was in the recovery room for about 4 hours because there were no beds. The hospital overall was great, just a few minor complaints like that one and sometimes the day time nurse staff were less attentive. It also took them all day Saturday to give me my upper GI test. But, overall like I said, it was a very positive experience. I tried my couch the first night home and it was horrible! I tried my bed the next couple of nights and it was a little better but I still felt like I couldn't move. Finally, I went to my parents house and slept in the recliner for the next 4 nights and it was wonderful. Now, I am comfortably sleeping in my bed and have been for over a week. Please let me know if I can do anything for you, I will try to give you the best advice I can. Jamie

Kelly, you're going to do great! How exciting, 3 more days to a healthier, happier, more active, new life. And you're going to need it with a 2 year old. I'm with Jamie on the hair tie, chapstick (which I did not have and really wanted), reading material, bring pads along just in case. It seems that a lot of woman start their periods at this time. Also, have your own undies on hand. Their little undie replacements bite!! Stay optimistic in your thoughts. It will pave the way for a wonderful recovery. Best of luck! TraciL

Do you have to do the bowel prep the day before surgery? If you do, I highly recommend you stay home the day before surgery. Yo uwill be quite busy running to the bathroom. I really can't think of any personal items that I brought that I needed. I slept most of the time. Then I walked and slept. I had clothes to wear home. You want stretchy clothes as you will not want anything tight against you. Polishing your spot on the loser's bench. Aime

I did not have to do the bowel prep. They just told me that all day Tuesday, I will need to eat/drink clear liquids -- then nothing after midnight. I've heard the bowel prep can be nasty -- so I feel good that I don't have to do it. Thanks!! I can't wait to sit in that spot on the bench!!!!

Hi Kelly, It sounds like you are all set for surgery to me. I am sure you will have a positive experience. Each of us has a different tolerance level for pain so the other person that was screaming in pain my just have a very low tolerance level. Any surgery is scary but keep faith and think positive! Hugs, Robin

Hi Kelly - Good luck with your surgery, I'll be thinking of you and wish you the best!!