I have a surgery date!!!!!!

I went to see Dr. MacDonald Tuesday and I have a by-pass surgery date of 8-21-08.  I am excited and nervous at the same time.

I would like any suggestions as to what I need to carry to the hospital and what can I expect from the surgery and recovery  (pain, swelling etc.).

Thanks for  your suggestions!

next week is your surgery? wow... dont you have to do atkins for 2 weeks? mine was scheduled 1 month in advance. lucky you :)
i cant answer your questions but im sure others will
i just wanted to tell you ...

whooooooooohooooooooooooooo on your surgery date

I am sorta doing the atkins diet.  When I went to the Nutrition meeting, they told us to go ahead and start then.  I stepped on the scales this morning and I have lost 12 lbs. 

Thanks for the support

Rachel

Unfortunately, I had to delete this message due to privacy concerns.

Congratulations on your date!!  Thats just around the corner!!

Amanda

Congratulations on your date and see Iris' post for answers to your questions.

All the best,

Barb

Now I  may be different than others, but I packed everything from a list in one of the books I read and I didn't use any of it. I packed pajamas, slippers, makeup (what was I thinking) everything,  And honestly in my case I didn't  use any of it.  I stayed in a hospital gown the entire time, and they gave me these big socks with soles to wear when we walked.  The only thing I used was my toothbrush and toothpaste and comb and some really comfy clothes to wear home.

I was in significant pain the day after surgery but it did and does get better everyday.  As all these ladies told me on here you have to walk and sip water.  They were right because the more I walk the less soreness I have. 

Good luck to you,  Angie

Congratulations!

I took all kinds of stuff that I never used EXCEPT for my lip balm and slippers.

Congratulations!! 

The less you take, the better off you are.  My suggestion would be lip balm and comfy clothes.  Everything else will be provided for you.  As far as pain from the surgery and recovery, everyone is different.  The first week is usually the worst but just follow your doctor's orders and I'm sure  you will do fine.  Walk as much as possible ~ this really helps with the pain and working the soreness out.  Good luck and keep us posted!

Congratulations and good luck!!!!

It's late and I'm tired, so I'm not reading through all the replies, but I will clip and paste the personal packing list I've accumlated from everyone's suggestions thus far:

Lip balm
Moisturizer
Face wash
Hand sanitizer
Deodorant
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
Hair brush, barrettes, stretchy head band
Shampoo, conditioner
Baby wipes
Sports bras
Underwear (light, stretchy type)
Washable slip-on slippers
Snap front robe
Gowns? (only snap front kind, easy to get on/off)
Small fan
Pillows, pillow cases (great for ride home too)
Laptop computer
Cell phones, chargers
Digital camera, camcorder, batteries
MP3 player
Notebook, pens
Reading material
Earplugs
Medicines
Going home outfit - LOOSE pants and button-front top