Bowel Prep Question

I didn't have to have the bowel prep when I had my RNY and my daughter Megan is having her Lapband surgery on Tuesday Dec 30th and she will have to do the bowel prep. This is one thing I can't help her with so I have some questions for you all that had to do it.

1. How much did it cost? We have good insurance, did your insurance prescrip plan cover it? Or was it over the counter?

2. How long before surgery did you have to start drinking it? Time as in hours, was it like 24 hours before surgery or longer or shorter?

3. I've seen some of you write about asking for the unflavored kind and mixing it with something like Crystal Light, it that better then asking for a flavored kind.

I would love any and all answers.

Thanks,

~dori~

hey Dori, hi, long time no talk, happy to see your dd is finally having her surgery.  as for the bowel prep.  I can't remember, I think I picked it up at pharmacy, but it was over the counter.  OMG, pooor girl, that was the worst part.  God I still gag thinking about it, I can't have a popsicle or crystal lite cause all I taste it that stuff to this day.  It was the day before surgery, If I remember, it was 2 times,  like noon and 4:00 ish???? not sure.  and it works quick, DON"T GO ANYWHERE>  Its so bad, I recomend her downing it ASAP, dont' milk it with crystal light.  wish her the very best. 

p.s. did I say that was the worst part? 

Thanks Cheryl. Do you remember how much it cost? What size was it in ounces? As big as a soda?

She's not planning on going anywhere that day, which is good. I won't be here on Monday to help her with the bowel prep. I'm going to try and work a longer day that day and get as much done at work as I can so I can spend more time with her at the hospital on Tuesday. So much is going on right now with end of the year stuff at work. When I get back from the hospital from seeing her Tuesday I'll have to go into work and try to get more done. Do you remember how long you were in surgery?

Thanks,
~dori~

Dori, the size was the size of a test tube, very small but deadly.  my surgery was about 45 mins.  all went well and textbook. so I was lucky.  she will be fine, was up and walking in no time.  like I said, the prep was worse then anything.  and I can't rememeber the cost. sorry,

Thanks Cheryl.
How long before you felt like yourself again?

~dori~

haha, i'm still waiting.....  

ummm, other then feeling like i had done a million situps I felt ok pretty quick.  I hope she has better success and sooner then I did, it got me down quite a bit, but she won't be comparing herself to other's who are loosing much faster,  being away at school,  so she will be fine.   wasn't good for me hearing so many wonderful success stories when I did so poorly.    My port hurt me for 6 months.  if she does anything physical, useing her tummy she will feel the port. cause it is tied with a muscle. you know the normal things hurt for a little, a few weeks, like rolling over in bed, getting up and down off the reclyner.  but, I felt no restriction and was able to eat with no problems, I flew by the stages with no issues. other then being hungry.  dr. L is very slow as far as giving fills, so she won't feel a good restriction for probably 6 months.  Others get a huge fill at their first appt. with other dr's. like 5 cc's, i'm only at 5 now after 6 months and went in every 4 weeks as I was told. so she needs to be patient.

lol I read this to Megan and I told her to remind me to get lots of air freshener when I get groceries this week. lol
Thank you for all your help.

~dori~

The prep stuff didn't cost much...maybe $3-5/bottle. They are only 2-3ounces each.  I'd just "slam" them back...anything you mix them with........well...you'll never want that flavor again.  I think I had to take the first prep at like 10 and then another at 12noon or something!  I agree with Cheryl........don't make any plans for that day!  Make sure the plunger is nearby..!  It IS the worst part of all...IMO!!!
Wish her luck and keep us posted!

Ruth,

Thank you. Megan says she will drink them as fast as she can. Did you get a flavored kind?
Thank the lord we have 2 bathrooms. lol

~dori~

Hi Dori,

You know I can't answer the bowel prep questions! Thank GOD we didn't have to do that!  I can't imagine that the phospho stuff costs too much.  I know my parents have had to get the stuff for their colonoscopies.

But, I wanted to wish Megan the very best of luck on her surgery (you can't talk her into the RNY, huh?)  LOL