Trying to Prepare

Hello all my friends, I need some help trying to get prepared for my surgery that is exactly two weeks away. What items do I need to be sure to have at home for my return from the hospital. From what I understand, I will return home on Stage 2 diet, which is sf clear liquids, right? So I can have sf cib, crystal lite, broth, sf jello. Those items I have. I also have my flintstone vitamins and a bottle of Tums. What else will I need? I want to be sure all of my shopping is done and my dh does not have to deal with any of it. He wants me to compile a list of foods that I am able to eat in each stage so that he will know what to fix for me. Any assistance with this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for all of your Rhonda

Hey Rhonda, Here's a list I passed on in the past. It's not complete, but it is a list of all of the stuff I remember being thankful I had at the hospital and at home after. At the Hospital- The Fan and Chapstick are tops of the list. Small CD or tape player with headphones and the music that makes you dreamy or happy. I listened to Garrison Keillor book on tape. Baby wipes also head the list as do those- dental sponges for washing your teeth withou****er or toothpaste. (I'm sorry that I can't remember the product name, but they were great.) While your at the hospital "snag-up" some of those little 1oz pill cups they always bring your meds in. Back at home they are instant measuring devices. I also brought a couple of extra pillows from home, propped them under my arms at the elbows. Don't think I could have slept, even on the morphine without them. Go ahead and get the rubber coated baby spoons, and some of the small Glad disposable Tupperware-like containers. Once you move to yogurt and cream soups, you won't be able to use up a full container in a day. I'd just plop a can of tomato soup into the container, take out the large table spoon of it to put in a bowl, add the water to the bowl and throw it in the microwave. Put a date on the lid of the Glad Container and pop it in the fridge. That way I wasn't re-heating the same thinned down soup again and again. And I also knew what I should eat before I opened another can of something. Don't worry about the baby spoon staining. For some reason the soft rubber coated ones, stain at the touch of tomato soup. Just wa**** with a little baking soda and throw it in with the rest of the dishes. It may look a touch dingy, but it's clean. Large heating pad was helpful at home. The hospital would not let me use my own, but they provided one. There will be that sticky residue from the tape for your IV. I was in the hospital for quite a while, so it became an issue. Those fingernail polish remover pads worked great. Just make sure to wash the site thoroughly after and use some good lotion, the acetone in fingernail polish remover can really dry out a patch of skin. The SF Pop-sicyles were wonderful, so was the SF Jell-O in the little pre-made cups. The most important thing however is an advocate. A spouse or family member who can see to it that you are getting excellent care. Those poor nurses are run ragged going from room to room, and even when you have the best floor staff in the world, typically they are stretched thin by understaffing. Having some one there to ask- "The pain meds for this room were due and were asked for 20 minutes ago, is there something that could be done to expedite this? "Is the Dr. on the floor yet? "There seems to be some new redness and swelling around the IV site. Could you come look at this? The bed dressing in this room wasn't changed this morning as it usually is, is there someone we should call? Someone how is calm, of a sweet disposition, rational, and Who loves You! Is the greatest thing to have at the hospital. You will then be more than a blinking light on the panel to a staff member who is already facing a row of them and each case may be a life and death situation. As for the foods? That first week there's not much you can eat and you've listed everone I can think of off hand. OK that's everything that I remember being super grateful that I had. I'm sure others will be coming- Best Wishes- Dx

Thanks for all the help. I never thought about those dental brush ups, that is a great idea. I remember the "Queen" complaining that her mouth tasted nasty, I wish I would have thought about those, I would have gotten her some. Thanks again for all of your words of wisdom.. I appreciate it VERY much! Rhonda

Hey Rhonda, I am getting so excited for you. Two weeks will be gone before you know it. You might want to get some sf popsicles to me they were the best thing when I got home. Also you might want to pick up some liquid tylenol for when you run out of pain pills or just have a headache or light pain and don't need nothing strong. I would also highly recommend the baby wipes. They will safe your boo boo (if you know what I mean). If I can do anything for you just let me know. Becky

Hey Becky. Thanks for telling me about the liquid tylenol. That is a very good idea, all I have at home are the "equate" capsules and I don't think those would go down very easily. I agree that baby wipes will be an asset. I am sure that this surgery sure does make you go to the bathroom alot, so I will need those for comfort... Thank you for your wonderful support! I can't wait to join you on the losing side! Rhonda

Rhonda be cautious with the liquid tylenol, it may be loaded with sugar, and I havent found the diabetic kind anywhere. My surgeon recommended childrens chewable tylenol even generic, it is sugar free. If you don't already have it, get some Calcium citrate powder. Mixes into anything you want. You can get it at vitalady.com, it's called upcal D. You already got your flintstones. If you get tired of them, chewable Centrum is palatable, I like them. Walmart also carries B12 sublinguals. I highly recommend the babywipes too. The softer the better. Have some frozen sugar free popsicles at hand when you get home. Broth and crystal light, you're set Don't worry too much, you 'll be up and walking the same day and shopping won't be a problem even if you did forget something Take care and I will see you in two weeks ~Andie~

Hi Rhonda, I cant really think of anything that I needed after surgery that I didnt feel up to go and getting myself. My husband was shocked at how independant I was (he was looking forward to taking care of me) All I can offer is some company when your in the hospital, so if you would like a visitor let me know and I'll swing by. Amanda

Hey Amanda, I plan to be very independent also. I have to be. I plan to be back at work in two weeks and back in school the following Tuesday after my surgery. I can not miss too many Calculus classes or I will be totally LOST.. I will let my husband cook for me though. Take advantage of that part while I can. I would love to have you as a visitor, I need all the support I can get! And seeing the lovely faces of my support group friends would be wonderful! My surgery is on the 1st, so I should be in the hospital until the 3rd or 4th. I don't think I will have to spend any time in ICU, I never heard back from my sleep test so I must not have apnea. Thanks again for your support! How is your weight loss coming? Will you be at the support group meeting next Tuesday (22nd)? Rhonda

Congratulations! I used alot of SF popscicles in that stage to keep my hydration up. I would also try some of the protein shakes that do not require you to mix them with milk. Milk has been a no-no for me since surgery, not before, but the lactose intolerance was almost immediate. There is a shop in Biloxi that Dr Rose's office sent me to for different types of protein drinks. I wish I could remember the address but if you are using Dr Ludwig, Brittney and Judy should know. Best wishes, Elesha LapRNY 2/26/02 288/165

Hi Elesha, I am having my surgery done by Dr. Mann and Jenkins at Keesler Medical Center. I have not heard of a shop in Biloxi, if you remember the name of it, please let me know. I sure hope that I don't become lactose intolerant, I love milk right now!! I bought the pre-mixed cib and protein drinks so far, but I don't really know how many I need to last me through the first week or two after I return from the hospital. Do you remember about how many of those you go through a day? Thanks again for your help and your support! Rhonda