UNITY HOSPITAL PATIENTS
Savannah, I'm having mine at Unity with Dr. Johnson on the 29th, so I'll see you in the halls! I have been at Unity before (for other reasons) and it's a great hospital! I'm bringing my toothbrush, etc. and an outfit to wear home..and chapstick...I heard chapstick is a must! Other than that, the nursing staff there is wonderful and if there is something you want/need you can usually get it!
Good luck with your surgery. See you on the loosers bench!
Heidi
________________________________________________________
RNY 07/29/2008 | HW: 305lbs | LW: 219lbs | GW: 180lbs
I had my lap RNY surgery with Dr. Baker on June 18th. We arrived about 15 minutes earlier than suggested. I wore loose fitting sweatpants, a lightweight shirt and some tennis shoes. They went through the various pre-op things, bp, temp, drew blood. I had an EKG done due to my age and family heart health history. I filled out a few forms and then had to change into a hospital gown. They then got me into a rolling bed in the pre-surgery staging area. I talked with the nurse in charge, the anesthesiologist and Dr. Baker. The nesthesiologists nurse came in and gave me something to relax.......and I woke up a few hours later in the 3 West ward.
Within a couple of hours they had me up walking (I wore a second hospital gown backward like a bathrobe so there wer not any unintended mooning incidents). My bladder was slow to wake up so they had to re-catheterize me that first night. Also, I am a muoth breather and they said my blood oxygen could have improved faster than it did. I stayed ahead of my pain by requesting pain meds as soon as I felt anything change....I really didn't have much pain, though, and I am a guy, so you know it couldn't have been too bad. My bladder worked the next morning, so no more catheter insertions! I was allowed to take a shower on the morning after surgery...it was heavenly. I went home the next afternoon after visiting with the pharmacist and Dr. Baker (who was fantastic, by the way). I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up the pain medication prescription they had given me.
I never took the pain medication or even any Tylenol after I got home. I did walk a half mile or so the day after I went home, a mile the day after that and built up to 2+ miles within a few days. I was really tired the first few days home, so I took naps and wasn't embarassed about that fact.
Recommendations:
wear comfortable, loose fitting pants...I had some swelling after surgery and I was glad I didn't have jeans on.
wear a short sleeve shirt/blouse so the whole BP and blood draw thing is easier...I idon't get cold, so that wasn't a consideration for me.
wear slip on shoes so you don't have to bend over to tie them when it is time to go home
bring something to read
bring a bathrobe if you would be uncomfortable wearing a second hospital gown when you get up to walk
stay ahead of your pain when you are in the hospital
be extra nice to the 3 west staff - they are kind and gentle and deserve nice patients
Good luck!
Within a couple of hours they had me up walking (I wore a second hospital gown backward like a bathrobe so there wer not any unintended mooning incidents). My bladder was slow to wake up so they had to re-catheterize me that first night. Also, I am a muoth breather and they said my blood oxygen could have improved faster than it did. I stayed ahead of my pain by requesting pain meds as soon as I felt anything change....I really didn't have much pain, though, and I am a guy, so you know it couldn't have been too bad. My bladder worked the next morning, so no more catheter insertions! I was allowed to take a shower on the morning after surgery...it was heavenly. I went home the next afternoon after visiting with the pharmacist and Dr. Baker (who was fantastic, by the way). I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up the pain medication prescription they had given me.
I never took the pain medication or even any Tylenol after I got home. I did walk a half mile or so the day after I went home, a mile the day after that and built up to 2+ miles within a few days. I was really tired the first few days home, so I took naps and wasn't embarassed about that fact.
Recommendations:
wear comfortable, loose fitting pants...I had some swelling after surgery and I was glad I didn't have jeans on.
wear a short sleeve shirt/blouse so the whole BP and blood draw thing is easier...I idon't get cold, so that wasn't a consideration for me.
wear slip on shoes so you don't have to bend over to tie them when it is time to go home
bring something to read
bring a bathrobe if you would be uncomfortable wearing a second hospital gown when you get up to walk
stay ahead of your pain when you are in the hospital
be extra nice to the 3 west staff - they are kind and gentle and deserve nice patients
Good luck!
Everyone covered things pretty well. They give you some lip balm if you forget your chap stick.
You will go down to radiology the next morning for a barium swallow so they can look on an x-ray to make sure everything looks ok. Nasty tasting stuff, but it 's the first liquid you get. Until then, you only get these little sponge thingies to wet your lips. After the barium swallow, you will get some liquids and even some jello!
Dr. Jeff is wonderful - you've chosen a great surgeon for your band! There is a lap band group that meets Sunday evenings at 6:30 at Starbucks on Hwy 10 near Northtown Mall. If you feel like it, come on over and ask any questions you might have. We all love talking about it! Most, but not all, had their surgery at Unity. Have you been to the Unity message board? Just another source for info.
Let us know how it's going after surgery!
Jean B.
Jean B.
You will go down to radiology the next morning for a barium swallow so they can look on an x-ray to make sure everything looks ok. Nasty tasting stuff, but it 's the first liquid you get. Until then, you only get these little sponge thingies to wet your lips. After the barium swallow, you will get some liquids and even some jello!
Dr. Jeff is wonderful - you've chosen a great surgeon for your band! There is a lap band group that meets Sunday evenings at 6:30 at Starbucks on Hwy 10 near Northtown Mall. If you feel like it, come on over and ask any questions you might have. We all love talking about it! Most, but not all, had their surgery at Unity. Have you been to the Unity message board? Just another source for info.
Let us know how it's going after surgery!
Jean B.
Jean B.
267/237/171/149 1st nurse's visit/surgery/current/goal
down 66 lbs. since surgery; 96 lbs. total
I was very pleased with my experience at Unity! They will have you up and walking a few hours after surgery. I had some foot issues before surgery so I brought comfortable shoes so I could walk without upsetting my foot.
They will also have your shower the next day to make sure you are able to take care of yourself. I brought underwear and clean socks so I would be able to change into them. I put the clothes back on that I wore into the hospital the day before. Loose and comfortable will work the best.
Oh, I think it is their standard procedure to give you a shot of Heprin to anyone having surgery. They will start this right away when you are checking in. It took me by surpise
If I had to do it all again, I wouldn't change a thing.
They will also have your shower the next day to make sure you are able to take care of yourself. I brought underwear and clean socks so I would be able to change into them. I put the clothes back on that I wore into the hospital the day before. Loose and comfortable will work the best.
Oh, I think it is their standard procedure to give you a shot of Heprin to anyone having surgery. They will start this right away when you are checking in. It took me by surpise
If I had to do it all again, I wouldn't change a thing.
1. Don't bring a book or anything that requires thinking... lol, magazines are wonderful! You can flip, flip, flip, and not remember a thing that you read on the last page! ;0)
2. A gracious visitor brought me a back scratcher, and omg it was perfect for those places you... can't... quite... reach!
3. I don't remember a barium swallow for the leak test. Maybe it's a doctor-specific thing?
4. If you are picky about light when you're trying to sleep, bring an eyemask because they do not turn down the lights out in the hallways. Why, I have no clue, but it's annoying. I had them shut my door and turn the IV pump away from the bed so I had complete darkness.
5. As per the other posters, bring comfy clothes with elastic waistbands. Personally, I only brought toiletries(deodorant, toothbrush and paste), a clean pair of undies, and a few magazines. I wore the same clothes out as I did out.
6. Do not be shy about asking for pain meds! If you hurt--get the medication, that's why it is prescribed for you! Besides, it makes the time go by faster. LOL
Good luck to you. Unity really is a great hospital with a wonderful staff.
2. A gracious visitor brought me a back scratcher, and omg it was perfect for those places you... can't... quite... reach!
3. I don't remember a barium swallow for the leak test. Maybe it's a doctor-specific thing?
4. If you are picky about light when you're trying to sleep, bring an eyemask because they do not turn down the lights out in the hallways. Why, I have no clue, but it's annoying. I had them shut my door and turn the IV pump away from the bed so I had complete darkness.
5. As per the other posters, bring comfy clothes with elastic waistbands. Personally, I only brought toiletries(deodorant, toothbrush and paste), a clean pair of undies, and a few magazines. I wore the same clothes out as I did out.
6. Do not be shy about asking for pain meds! If you hurt--get the medication, that's why it is prescribed for you! Besides, it makes the time go by faster. LOL
Good luck to you. Unity really is a great hospital with a wonderful staff.
HW / SW / CW / GW -- 386 / 347 / 205 / 215
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