Dr. Brian Gluck / Muskegon patients gather here

My surgery is 10/22. Tomorrow I have an appointment for my Pre-Op teach/ Liquid Fast class and consent signing. I feel totally cool with Dr. Gluck and all. I'm nervously excited, I guess. I can't believe this 12-year journey is finally coming to an end. The journey to get this far, I guess. Then, a whole new journey begins. My life, as i've known it as an overweight adult for 25 years+ will never be the same again.

What are some good things to pack for the hospital? Will I even feel like bringing my favorite book? Anyone have any words of wisdom?

Bring the book, just in case.  Bring some slippers or something you can walk the halls in.  Have it in your head that you are going to get up and walk the whole time you're there.

I  brought lip balm (I got a nice minty one) and some good smelling lotion to use.  It helped get rid of that "hospital smell" in my room and made me feel more human in general. 

Take lots of pictures of yourself the night before.  Write down your measurements too.  I didn't do that and now wish I really would have.

Hi! Dr. Gluck did my surgery on 4/28/08 and he is absolutely WONDERFUL! You are in very good hands with him. Congratulations on your surgery date. It will be here before you know it!!

As far as what to pack... all of the above suggestions are great! The lip balm, the lotion, a book or magazine, though you probably won't have much time to read, you might wish to at some point... magazines are nice because you can just read a quick article here or there. slippers are fine if you want them, but they will put the skid-proof sock thingies on you anyway, so I never used my slippers. I brought a robe for modesty, but really didn't use that either. Modesty went out the window. haha One thing I was glad I remembered was my cell phone charger - but remember to put your phone on vibrate! No roomie wants to listen to someone else's phone ringing all day and night. (trust me... and that's all i'm gonna say about that. lol) I can't really think of much else!

You're in good hands! Dr. Gluck and all of the nurses up at Mercy really took good care of me. And at least one of the nurses up there (Sue) is a WLS-er herself, so you can bet that when she is pushing you to walk (or whatever else she wants you to do) she knows exactly what you're going through and is doing it for your own good!!

Hugs!

Robin-
Do you go to the support group meetings at Mercy? I was there monday. That was my first time.

I normally do try to go to the support group meetings, but I had another commitment this past Monday. What was the topic this month? I need to start marking the meeting days on the calendar so I will stop forgetting and planning other things! lol I usually get a lot out of the support group meetings.