12 days till my surgery

thank you to all you wonderful folks....the countdown continues. I am getting my stuff ready, ordering protein vials off the internet and getting psyched.... I have a few questions for you folks (especially anyone who had it done at Barnes) - did they have all the things big enough - gowns, blood pressure cuffs, toilet seats, wheelchairs, etc.? - if I have a CPAP machine, do I bring my own distilled water or do the nurses have access? - do you have to pass gas or have a bm before they let you go home? - how soon can you get up and walk (if it's lap RNY) - how soon after lap surgery can you swim? thanks guys, I can ask the surgeon's office but I like you guys SO much more....

Guess what, I had my surgery at Barnes. First I will answer the questions I can. Yes they had everything including beds and bedside toilets big enough for me and I weighed 534. Just to be on the safe side I would bring my own distille water, my cpap doesn't use water so I'm not sure. I passed gas and had a BM before I left but the only requierment they told me about was I had to pass the swallow test. I was in ICU for 2 1/2 days so I diden't walk till my 3rd day but they usually have you walking the same on next day. I'm not sure about the swimming question. Now I just hope you have better care from the nurses and aides then I had. I was there over Christmas and the care was terrible hopefully it will be differant for you. Wayne

Anyone looking -I found out these answers 1 - things are big enough at Barnes 2 - they have distilled water 3 - Gas yes, BM no 4 - walk asap - within hours after surgery 5 - swimming and bathing is 3-4 weeks out after surgery (holes, ya know)