Questions

OK, I have been sitting here for like 8 months telling people "oh, don't worry, you'll do fine".  I was thinking to myself, I won't be scared or worried.  Well, guess what......I think I have like a million questions.  I couldn't think of any to ask my Dr. while I was there.  My dr. is Naziri at Southern Surgical.  I am having gastric bypass, so anyone who thinks they can help, please do....... 1.  How long does the surgery take? 2.  Does anyone go back with you to prepare for surgery, or do they wait in the waiting room? 3.  How long were you in the hospital? 4.  For the Laproscopic, do they use the surgical glue or staples? 5.  How bad was the pain? 6.  What do I need to take to the hospital? Thanks you guys.....I feel really dumb now.  I just couldn't think of anything but getting my surgery approved and scheduled.  Now I feel like I could ask so much!

Pug Mom's answers for you :) 1) my surgery was less than an hour 2) my DH and girlfriend stayed with me right up to the OR  3) two nights 4) glue

5)I had very little pain, my surgery was not bad at all 6) non slip slide on house shoes, maybe a robe, chap stick, a pillow this helps on the ride home as well as comfort in the hospital, take a book if you like to read.  Don't worry we all were scared, but trust me , for me it has beeen well worth it.  Good luck and take care

Thank you!  You must of had a very positive experience.  You sound really positive!

I had the RNY with Dr. Mitchell at Moore Regional in Pinehurst on 8/30/07 1) Normal  I was told 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Mine took 4 1/2. They saw discoloration on my liver and had to do a biopsy and then wait 2) When I checked in they sent me to a room to change into the gown and hair net and socks. They allowed my Husband, (what is DH?), Dad and Aunt to stay in the room with me.  Then they wheeled me into a room to be prepped for the anestisia and get the IV's ready (one main and one peripherial).  They weren't allowed at that point.  They were sent up to the waiting room on the Batric wing where my room would be when done.  3) I checked in on a Thursday morning at 5:30am and I checked out that Sunday at noon.  4) Sterri strips (spelling?) 5) For me the pain was not really bad. It hurt some to stand up straight at first and when the rolling over to get out of the bed hurt some, but it wasn't that bad.  6) I took:              a) Robe             b) Extra Pillow (I was so thankful of this. I would use it under my left side to prop me   somewhat on my side and it was soooo comfortable             c) Book - I can't stand to watch TV             d) Puzzle Book - when I got tired of reading             e) A long handled back sponge for when I took my first shower              f)  Toothbrush/  toothpaste/ mouthwash             g) brush, shampoo, conditioner.              h)  Lotion !!!  I couldn't use in near or on the incisions, but hospitals are kept so dry, I needed it for my arms, legs, etc  that were drying out really bad.              i) Very Loose Fitting clothes to leave in - slip on shoes if you have them are great too.              j) House slippers or slip on shoes for when you do your walks             k) small notepad & pen = trust me, while you are laying there after the fact, you will come   up with more questions - that way when your doctor does rounds you can have a list of questions ready to ask!

         

Thank you soooooo much.  I hope you are doing well. 

I'm a Southern Surgical gal (Dr. MacD) and my surgery was at Pitt, so this is what you can expect at Pitt. 1.  How long does the surgery take? Mine was about 2 hours. 2.  Does anyone go back with you to prepare for surgery, or do they wait in the waiting room? My sis had to wait in the waiting room while I was prepped, shaved, etc.  Then they let her come back and wait w/me. 3.  How long were you in the hospital? In at 5:30AM on Thursday, on my way home Saturday about 2PM (It was the day of the ECU-STATE game and I made Dr. MacD PROMISE he'd get me out in time to be in front of my TV for game start at 3 since I couldn't go to the game that day.)

4.  For the Laproscopic, do they use the surgical glue or staples? Staples that were removed on my 2 week post op visit in the office. 5.  How bad was the pain? Not that bad, except for the unusual skin burning I had (see previous post around the last couple of weeks in October)  I was expecting worse pain that I had from the surgery.  From what I was told, the burning pain I had was because the gas they pumped in me was tring to "escape" thru my skin cells instead of other ways.  6.  What do I need to take to the hospital? I took my own PJs.  I wore a mumu type dress to the hospital... totally went for comfort, not fashion. LOL  Wore a pair of comfy PJs home.I  didn't feel like reading or anything, so I didn't need those things.  They will (FORCE YOU TO WEAR) give you the non-skid sock/booties at Pitt so don't worry about taking any.  I think in my 2 days there I was given 3 pair of them.  Also, they give all their GB patients a pillow to hold on your belly when you cough, get up and such, and it is also nice to put on you tummy under seat belt on the way home, unless you want your own pillow under your head, don't worry about bringing one cause you'll be given one.  Sis found a pen and I had folks who came by sign my stomach pillow and my little 3yo nephew "drew" all over it too, so I have a "keepsake pillow" from the experience.  I suggest some chapstick because your lips will get dry and cracked, and take usual toiletries.  You really don't need to take a lot of stuff.  If somebody is going to be staying w/you, THEY need to bring something to keep them occupied.

Thank you!  Shaved?????  Dumb question but, why do they shave you?  That is funny that you made him promise to have you out in time for the game.  I hope you are doing well.

1.  How long does the surgery take? For lap RNY its about 35-45 mins counting there are no complications/issues 2.  Does anyone go back with you to prepare for surgery, or do they wait in the waiting room? They took me from the waiting room to a prep room - in the prep room I got into my down, washed my belly and got cozy in bed... when they moved me from the prep-room to the pre-op room is when I had to go it alone - and without my glasses! They had some good music playing so that was nice... hold me closeeeeeeeeer tiny dancer! 3.  How long were you in the hospital? In Tuesday, out Thursday morning 4.  For the Laproscopic, do they use the surgical glue or staples? I had steristrip tape over the incisions, Im assuming dissovlable sutures? I couldnt see anything, once the strips came off it just looked like a normal scar 5.  How bad was the pain? My shoulders hurt the worst (from the gas from the lap procedure) other wise I was fine... sleeping in the hospital bed sucked... once I got home my shoulders were still a little sore but I really had no pain. 6.  What do I need to take to the hospital? Not much... we ALL overpack... out of everything I brought here is what I used - face cloths, toothbrush/paste, hairbrush, deodrant, face lotion, body lotion, cell phone (plus charger), COMFY clothes to go home in, pillow... I wore their socks in the hospital and threw them away when I left - my mom is a nurse and said to not bring them home, too germy... dont wear slippers unless you want to throw them away before you leave - bring stuff you can wash in ho****er when you get home only! They gave me 2 gowns so I could use one as a jacket so my bumbum wasnt hanging out when I walked the hallways. I had brought books/magazines and didnt touch a single one!

Thank you....yeah  got to cover the bumbum hahahahahah  I hadn't even thought of the phone charger!  Hope you are doing well. 

Hey Stacy.  Don't worry, you'll do fine... Here's my experience to your questions: 1.My surgery took just under 2 hours. 2. My husband and mother were allowed to stay with me until they wheeled me into the anesthesia holding area.  That was about 1 hour prior to surgery.  You will have a similar experience since we're at the same hospital. 3. I was in the horspistal 2 days. 4. Dr. Chapman used surgical glue. 5. The pain was tolerable.  Morphine is your friend, push the button. 6. Chapstick, something to read, a pillow, some basic toiletries, a hair brush.  Wear the same thing home that you wore there, just something loose fitting.  Don't bother with a robe, slippers, etc the hospital gowns are all you'll wear, trust me.  You can bring reading materials, I did, but didn't use them. If you're in G-vegas and want to meet for lunch or something call me.  I'm here if you want to talk. Take care. Ellen