a ton of questions

I have a ton of questions about surgery and things related. I've been on OH for a while just reading different posts, but I've never posted anything.  I'm have surgery on Wed, 1/14.  I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.  I've never been in the hospital before so I'm not so sure what to take with me.  Can I take my own clothes to wear or will they make me wear the hospital gowns?   Did anyone take a book to read while in the hospital?  I was going to take one, but a friend of mine told me I'll be in a lot of pain and I won't want to read.  

I hate sitting around.  I like to stay busy pretty much all of the time.  I have things planned on each weekend after surgery.  Nothing huge (I'm not running a marathon or anything like that).  When I tell my friends/ family this they all laugh and tell me I won't want to do anything after having surgery.  Is that true?  I really don't want to be sitting around all day every day. 

My last question!  I just found out I'm going to be a bridesmaid for an April 18 wedding.  What in the world do I do about the dress??  We went to David's this morning and the guy told me to order one size down.  Has anyone else been in this situation?   A friend suggested I go back to the shop in 1 mo, try on the dress to see what size I"m in, and then order down a size.

Thanks for reading my long post!!  And thanks for any feedback you might have.
Kelly

Kelly,

Why are you up so early?  Welcome to the Boards.

Everyone's experience is unique.  You may not have much pain.  I didn't.  Usually you do have to wear the hospital gowns.  Makes for east access!  Why don't you call the bariatric unit at the hospital and ask them.  Take a book.  You never know how you will feel.  Some people take their own pillow for a more comfortable sleep.  Don't forget some lip balm.  Your mouth and lips will be very dry.  And bring loose clothes for the ride home.

As for activities after surgery.  Most surgeons want you up and walking around asap.  But, I would check with your doctor as to the level of activity you will be able to tolerate.  Tell him about your plans.  Let the professionals decide what's ok and what's too much.

Finally, the dress.  This can be a tricky question.  Most of us loose a great deal of weight the first couple of months.  I lost at least 30 in my first month.  I would wait as long as I could to order my dress and check to see what would be the latest that you can have the dress altered.

Don't worry.  Everything has a way of working out.

You are in for a great journey.

A place on the Losers' Bench is waiting for you.

Hugs and prayers,

I was acutally up late. I took a nap on sunday afternoon and then just laid in bed trying to go to sleep.  A million things ran through my head, so I decided to get up and ask all the questions that were going through my head.  It helped, b/c I went back to bed and slept (only for about 3 hrs until the alarm went off...but at least it was something).

Thank you for your advice!!!
Kelly

Well everyone is different, but I'll answer based on my own personal experiences.

You can take your own clothes, but I'd just wear the gown.  I think the 2nd day I ended up putting my underwear on, but otherwise I was fine in the gown.  Maybe take a robe for when you are walking the halls.

I took a book and magazines but never even looked at them.  I was too tired/in too much pain to read.  I just wanted to lay there and sleep.  I watched 1 episode of Jeopardy and that was it for doing anything besides sleeping and half way talking to visitors.

Definitely the first weekend you'll probably want to just hang out at home.  Maybe the 2nd weekend, too.  But it shouldn't take too long to get back into the swing of things.

As for the dress...that's tough.  When is the latest you can order it? I'd wait until then.  Then find a good seamstress who will be able to do alterations when you get the dress delivered.

Good luck on Wednesday!

I really don't have a lot to add to the excellent suggestions you have alreadyreceived. I did not have any pain at all and this was my first hosital/surgery experience. As soon as they got me to taking sips of fluids, I was focused on keeping a straw count of each ounce I was able to consume. My goal was 3 per half hour. They will also want you up and walking as soon as possible.

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery, the most fabulous journey of your life!

Debbie

hey how are you? haven't seen you in awhile. I know you were having some issues about a month ago or so. I hope everything is ok. just checking in!

Hey Nicole-

I'm doing alright.  I haven't been on in awhile.  I've been busy packing and moving (done as of yesterday!). 

I had an endoscopy and it turns out that I have some ulcers and irritation. Fun!  So now I'm on Prevacid in the mornings (I have always been on Prevacid) and Zantac at night. Hopefully that will work because I certainly don't want another perf!

There is now a new theory that my pouch is not emptying in the correct amount of time, because when I had the endo, there was still food in there (even though I'd stopped eating well before midnight as directed).  So they've prescribed Reglan for me to try and see if that will help. I haven't started it yet, because I just wanted to get the move over with before I started any new meds. I'll try it out this week.

How are things going with you?

Well I hope that works out for you. I hope you don't continue to have problems. Moving sounds like alot of work. are you still in bel air?

I am doing pretty good. had a rough patch of painful surgeries on my backside and anxiety from going off my paxil. i am back on the paxil but still having some anxiety. hopefully it will go away soon. i am still losing weight but slowly. I eat too many carbs unfortunately.

keep us updated on how you are doing.

I'm in Forest Hill right now, which is practically Bel Air anyway. I'm right over by the old C-Mart. 

Oh no! I'm sorry about the anxiety.  I'm on Paxil, too.  I ran out of my Rx once and it was a nightmare.  Paxil works wonders for me, but it is awful if you have to stop taking it.  I know that it is supposed to be weaned off of slowly, but unfortunately that is not always what happens. I'm sorry about the surgeries, too.  My mom has had to have some and I know she was miserable.  I hope that you are on the mend soon!

Hi Kelly ;o)

Your brain is working on overdrive honey and I was like you before my surgery too. You will be a LOSER this week. IN JUST TWO DAYS! WOW!!!!! 

I took my own clothes but you wont use them, atleast I didnt. I stayed in my hospital gown and when I went to walk the halls they just draped another gown over my back so I didnt need my robe. I would not have got it around the pain pump anyway.

I did take a few books but didnt look at any of them. When I wasnt being probed or walking the halls I was resting. LOL It was only ONE DAY so I needed to rest while I could because I knew when I got back home I would not be resting much. I do daycare. I had my surgery on Thursday and was open back up on Monday. My husband was here running daycare for the 2 weeks post op but I was still here and up and about.

As for the dress you will need more then a size down. I am 5 weeks out and down almost
50 pounds as of this morning. You may need to wait to get fitted atleast until March? You can explain your situation.

Good Luck sweetie. ((((Hugs)))))))