looking for anyone scheduled at harper hospital, detroit
Rebeca,
We are all here to help in any way we can.
First of all, what type of surgery are you having? Your surgeon's office should have made it really clear what to expect and what you can drink afterwards. If you're not certain, then they didn't do their job and you should contact them.
A lot of us stocked up on what we would need before the surgery so you can rest up afterwards. If you don't have anyone to shop for you, then you should get everything ready now.
Best of luck to you,
Brenda
What Brenda said.
I'm a little concerned that you are going into this without that information. I was drilled on this stuff by my PCC and by the nurse at CORI . That was a long time ago granted and I know things have changed again but you should have that info well in advance.
You are having major, high -risk, elective surgery and you need to know what to expect from your surgeon.
Basically you will be on a clear liquid for 10 days followed by a full liquid diet for the next ten days. After that pureed then mushy foods. All this has to be supplemented with water and lots of walking. You will walk the day you are out of surgery.
Please call the doctor's office and get more specific info from them. They have a responsibility to you.
kp
If you are going through the CORI center (which I assume by KP's comment) then read the white binder you were given! It covers EVERYTHING you need to know....from diet dos and donts to medication lists to different protein supplements. If after reading it you still have questions call the office and talk to someone.....you can NOT go into this blindly!
Good luck with your upcoming surgery...were saving a seat on the losers bench for you 
Jennifer
355/219/150
Jennifer
355/219/150 
Hi Rebecca,
This is kinda long.... Dr. Wood did my lap rny on 11/28/06. What type of surgery are you having....open, lap, band?
I know that if you met Dr. Wood or Dr. Taylor, they are very experienced surgeons.
To answer your questions...What can you expect? Harper has a great staff in place...Cori has it's own wing just for their patients. My experience with the nursing staff was great. Just remember you have to be your own advocate sometimes, and don't be afraid to speak up and let them know if you need anything.
Remember you will be medicated and sometimes you may be foggy in the head, so whatever questions you may have, write them down before you go to the hospital and put them in your bag. That way, after surgery your won't forget to ask those things when the Doctors, nurses, nutritionist, etc. come into the room.
1) The one thing that surprised me after surgery was that I was in NO Pain! It was the strangest thing, I kept expecting to be double over in pain, but that didn't happen. There was a little tenderness on my left side but nothing that was unbearable. I had an epidural and he also uses an On-Q Pain buster, (which is a bulb of medication that goes directly into your abdomen. This comes home with you and your remove it after the medication is gone. (He'll let you know how long.) Beth is Dr. Woods assistant during surgery and she is great, so if there are any questions that you don't feel comfortable asking him you can certainly ask her.
2) Depending on how quickly you can get up and walk around (and you should do this as soon as you can) you will be able to talk to other post-op patients in the hallway as they are walking. This was great for me because since you will be in a private room, it allows you to discuss things with other patients who may have had surgery the same day or before you, and not be confined to a room by yourself. You will probably see some of these people again at the post-op visit. There is also a lady on this board that works at Harper I think her name is Jeanette, She had Dr. Wood for her surgery. She came to visit me. She may come and say hello to you. She was really nice
3) You will be on ice chips and popsicles, then chicken or broth and jello. Popsicle will become your friend 
. If they give you beef broth and you don't like it ask them to bring you chicken.
I was not able to drink a lot of water right out, but that is normal, so keep doing the ice chips and popsicles for your fluids.
Remember our new stomach is just like a new born babies' so don't try to rush things or think you are not doing well. Our incisions have to heal externally and internally, and it heals slower internally.
4) Your cathater will come out and they will keep track of how often you go.
5) The dietician will come in and go over you post-op at home eating. Listen to what she says because she gave good information. She will give you some instructions on paper. Write whatever notes you need to at this point. I was medicated so I couldn't remember everything she said so I was glad for my notes.
6) The nurse will start giving you your lovenox injections and teach you how to do it yourself.
7) Remember to ask the nurse what you should expect in terms of your first BM. You probably won't have one before you leave the hospital. Some times you pass the left over blood from the surgery throught your stool (that's normal)
8) Take a warm pair of socks because a lot of times after surgery you get really cold. Don't be afraid to adjust the heat in your room if you need to. A ho****er bottle, or heating pad for home is a good idea.
9) Do not rush going back to work. You will need as much rest as possible. DO NOT lift anything heavy and wear your binder that they give you as much as possible it helps.
10) Go to the grocery store before surgery and buy a few case of bottled water, 100% juices, low sodium soups (Healty choice worked for me) some sugar free jello, popsicles, equal or splenda, and what every else is on your list from the book they gave you.
11) Get your prescriptions filled before surgery so you have them at home. Get a good lotion, as your skin may be dry. And buy batteries for your remote control 
That's all I can think of...I hope it helps.
Now, as with the other people *****sponded to your post
I hear the concern in your post and their responses. Yes, it does help to have a support system. If you don't have one then create your own. The doctor that did your psych eval go back and have a few post-op visits with him/her. It helps to be able to talk things out sometimes. And you can always post here.
The one thing I will say to you is, It took a lot for you to decide to have this surgery and it will take a lot for you to make the lifestyle changes that are required for you to be successful post-op, so that you will not fall back into your old eating habits.
No one can do this for you, you have to do it alone. It's good to have people there but if you don't have that remember that you are doing this for yourself. So try not to go through this thinking that you are alone. Thoes are issues you may going to have to deal with long term but don't let if affect your surgical outcome.
If you find or think that you may have to deal with feelings of depression or anxiety, that is normal, most of us have been there. Talk to your doctor and TELL him to give you some type of anti-axiety medication. Xanx was my friend during that time, it kept me from really stessing to much about what would/might happen in the future and focus on today. They also have a subliqual version of Xanx that melts under your tounge, as you will not be able to swollow large pills. I know that everyone does not need this type of help, but I also know that most of us are afraid to ask for help.
So bravo to you for taking such a big step to reclaim you health and all the nerves will pass.
I will keep you and your surgical team in my prayers.
All God's Blessings,
Jay/
. If they give you beef broth and you don't like it ask them to bring you chicken.
I was not able to drink a lot of water right out, but that is normal, so keep doing the ice chips and popsicles for your fluids.
Remember our new stomach is just like a new born babies' so don't try to rush things or think you are not doing well. Our incisions have to heal externally and internally, and it heals slower internally.
4) Your cathater will come out and they will keep track of how often you go.
5) The dietician will come in and go over you post-op at home eating. Listen to what she says because she gave good information. She will give you some instructions on paper. Write whatever notes you need to at this point. I was medicated so I couldn't remember everything she said so I was glad for my notes.
6) The nurse will start giving you your lovenox injections and teach you how to do it yourself.
7) Remember to ask the nurse what you should expect in terms of your first BM. You probably won't have one before you leave the hospital. Some times you pass the left over blood from the surgery throught your stool (that's normal)
8) Take a warm pair of socks because a lot of times after surgery you get really cold. Don't be afraid to adjust the heat in your room if you need to. A ho****er bottle, or heating pad for home is a good idea.
9) Do not rush going back to work. You will need as much rest as possible. DO NOT lift anything heavy and wear your binder that they give you as much as possible it helps.
10) Go to the grocery store before surgery and buy a few case of bottled water, 100% juices, low sodium soups (Healty choice worked for me) some sugar free jello, popsicles, equal or splenda, and what every else is on your list from the book they gave you.
11) Get your prescriptions filled before surgery so you have them at home. Get a good lotion, as your skin may be dry. And buy batteries for your remote control
That's all I can think of...I hope it helps.
Now, as with the other people *****sponded to your post
I hear the concern in your post and their responses. Yes, it does help to have a support system. If you don't have one then create your own. The doctor that did your psych eval go back and have a few post-op visits with him/her. It helps to be able to talk things out sometimes. And you can always post here.
The one thing I will say to you is, It took a lot for you to decide to have this surgery and it will take a lot for you to make the lifestyle changes that are required for you to be successful post-op, so that you will not fall back into your old eating habits.
No one can do this for you, you have to do it alone. It's good to have people there but if you don't have that remember that you are doing this for yourself. So try not to go through this thinking that you are alone. Thoes are issues you may going to have to deal with long term but don't let if affect your surgical outcome.
If you find or think that you may have to deal with feelings of depression or anxiety, that is normal, most of us have been there. Talk to your doctor and TELL him to give you some type of anti-axiety medication. Xanx was my friend during that time, it kept me from really stessing to much about what would/might happen in the future and focus on today. They also have a subliqual version of Xanx that melts under your tounge, as you will not be able to swollow large pills. I know that everyone does not need this type of help, but I also know that most of us are afraid to ask for help.
So bravo to you for taking such a big step to reclaim you health and all the nerves will pass.
I will keep you and your surgical team in my prayers.
All God's Blessings,
Jay/ 
. I was able to get some really good advice from this board before my surgery. Some of it came from KP belive it or not 
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