My time is nearing

Hi everyone!!
I thought I'd drop in and let ya all know where I'm at. 
I still don't get on here much anymore due to dial up ~ I miss you all though.

My husband and I will leave next Sunday (the 21st) after church and go down to Ann Arbor (about 4 hour drive) and stay at a motel.  Then wake up early and be at Barix at 7:30 AM for my PATS!!  I am so NOT a morning person!!  LOL   But, I am so excited.  I can't believe it's time for them and then my surgery is March 3rd!!  YAY!!!!

For Valentines Day, my hubby bought me a WII Fit Plus!!  So that will be fun to do and burn some calories!!

I really don't know what I should have on hand now to prepare.  I wasn't told any sort of vitamins to get but maybe when I go for my PATS they will tell me what I should have at home for when I come home from surgery. 
I did buy 2 containers of chicken broth and I plan on getting the sample pack of protein at Barix.

What should I have at home now that my time is really close?
I have a blender, will that work for the pureed stage?

I bought a pair of pretty pink slippers for the hospital.  I was going to buy some pretty pjs to put on the second day I'm at hospital, but I figured why spend the money when I will just be losing weight and besides, I can just stay in the hospital gown they provide, right?  I do have a purple nightgown I might bring ?????

I have been looking for a medical id braclet (thanks, Mary, for the site, by the way), haven't committed yet on buying one.  But, I need to soon.  I don't want to leave the hospital after surgery without having one on.

Well, that's where I'm at right now.  Getting scared, nervous and really excited all at the same time!!  LOL

TTFN

It is good to hear from you.  I am a night person myself, although even on days I have off I find my self up my 8.  As far as vitamins I would check with Pam or look on her blog for them.  My doctor who I love gave me a list of vitamins and most of them were the kind we Rny folk don't absorb.  Here are a few things I loved the first few weeks out.

eggsalad
hummus
peanutbutter
sf jello
sf pudding
sf popcycles (they count as fluid) at least that's what my nut said.


Have a great day.

Ooo.... it's coming up quick!  You'll be on the loser's bench before you know it.  How exciting!

Here's a few answers to your questions:

** Food to buy --- you'll probably be on full liquids when you leave the hospital.  stock up on things like pudding, jello, yogurt and cream soups (but not too much, you will only be eating 1/4 c at a time).  And don't forget the sugar free popsicles and no sugar added fudgsicles.

** definitely do the samples of protein.  I've got a list on my blog where you can get samples locally and online.  Also remember that there a dozens of ways to mix protein powder, so you'll be experimenting.  here's a list of 25 ways to mix a single scoop of vanilla.

** for pureed foods I used one of this tiny food processors you can get at Walmart for $10.  A normal blender will work find for protein shakes - no need to buy anything special for those. 

** yep, don't bother with buying pretty jammies - you'll be hooked up to IVs and stuff and it's easier to just use the hospital gown to navigate the wires.  Same goes with a robe, just use a second gown as a robe.  The LESS you bring to the hospital the better, you really won't need much.  basically chapstick and maybe a hairbrush and toothbrush - they'll provide everything else.

** instead of the pretty nightgown... go buy a blouse or jeans or something fun in a size you can't ever being able to fit into.  My mom bought me a cute shirt in a size large and it was a happy day when I finally fit into it. 

** I got my medical alert bracelet from American Medical ID.  It's sterling silver chain with a silver medallion charm.  Here's a picture of mine along with my Pandora bracelet that I use as my WLS reward (new charms for hitting new goals and milestones). 

** And I'll pass along my post on Preparing for Surgery -- it's got a bunch of other stuff to do to keep you occupied while you wait for March 3rd to get here. 

HTH
Pam

 Oops!  forgot to answer the vitamins question.  Here's the guidelines from the ASMBS --- check out the chart on page 7-8.  For RNY the minimum vitamins you should be taking from the beginning include:

2 adult multi-vitamins (I use Centrum Chewables)
1500-2000mg calcium citrate (in addition to anything you get from food)
B12 - sublingual or injection (I get my sublinguals at Walmart)
B-50 complex (make sure there's B1 in the formula - I get mine capsules at GNC)
Iron - 18-27mg elemental in addition to what's in your multi (all menstrating women should be on this anyway)

This is where you start.  Then based on your labs after surgery you'll adjust your dosing to what your body needs.

  

Good Morning!

Just curious, why the Medical ID bracelet?  Should all bariatric patients get one? 

Thanks,
Angie

after RnY and other weight loss surgery
you dont want a EMS guy to put a tube into your stomach and rupture it or give you NASID drugs.
so you ware a Med ID that state.
Gastric Bypass.
No NG Tube W/O scope
No NASID See Wallet card
Alergies: if any

Then you make a wallet card up on the computer to carry in you wallet with vital information
Here is a link to make the wallet card.
www.medids.com/free-id.php

This is my WLS programs' recommendation, and I completely agree with it:

ID bracelets are not really necessary because the insertion of an ET tube (to clear your airway) is what EMS would use.  This tube is nowhere near long enough to hurt your pouch, and even if it was, you would probably prefer to breathe over having your staple line punctured.

An NG tube is used to suction unwanted fluids or deliver nutrition, and is almost never used in an emergency.

Also, NSAIDS are not routinely used during an emergency, and because they are used for mild pain relief or inflammation, they most likely would not be administered to you if you were unconscious.

Again, this is just opinion, but you should check with your doctor and see what they recommend and then make your decision.

Personally, I think restaurant cards, ID bracelets, and all the "accessories" that go along with WLS are just that....accessories.  There are some things that you will find totally necessary, but its different for everyone.

Mary - thank you.  I had no idea.

Brenda - thank you for your opinion on these accessories.  It's nice to read what other people think of them.  What's a restaurant card? 

I know I have a lot of questions. . .thank you for answering them!

Angie

Hi Angie - a restaurant card is a card that your surgeon gives you stating you have had WLS so that you can present it when you are eating out because some places give let you order form the kid's menu, etc.  I personally never use mine.  I don't usually order off of the kid's menu anyhow.  I did use it once on New Year's Eve we went to the casino for their buffet dinner which was $24.95.  I presented my card and got the kid's price for the same buffet which was $7.95 ! so in that case, it was well worth pulling out the card because there was no way in heck I couldeven think of getting my money's worth @ $24.95. 

Nan's got the answer.

Don't worry about questions.  Everyone has them!  This board is great because we have a lot of differing opinions, so you get to hear everything from old folks and newbies as well!