What did you take to the hospital?

Hi-
I am scheduled for my surgery on Wed. Sept 15th.  For those of you who have done this - especially at the Weightwise Clinic:
What did you take to the hospital? 
Were you able to wear your own undies and a nightgown? 
Did you have someone with you while you were there and did they spend the night?
What did you stock your pantry with before you went to the hospital?

Just wondering how to prepare - I am a planner and am getting SO pumped!!

Thanks for all your help!
Mia's Mom!!

Hi there!

I had my RNY on July 21st .  Dr. Walton was my doctor.  My stay at the Summit Medical Center was absolutely, by far, the best experience I have EVER had in a hospital, and I've had a lot of hospital stays in my life!  They're awesome.

Anyway, to answer your questions:

I took the usual stuff -- hair brush, hair dryer, toothbrush, etc. with me.  I stayed two nights in the hospital just because I was having major issues with gas pain and needed the IV pain meds.  I didn't actually shower until the morning that I left.

They'll put you in a hospital gown, and I think you'll find that you'll just want to stay in that.  You'll have all these wires attached to you and so it's a lot easier to have their gown.  You'll find also that everyone else in the hospital at the same time will be wearing that stylish gown, and you'll get to see these people frequently during your walks in the hallways.  I walked all the time.  It defintely is best to walk as much as you can.  You can wear undies if you want, but it's really not even necessary.

I didn't have anyone stay with me overnight at the hospital.  My husband went ahead and went home.  The nurses there are so quick to answer your call if you need anything at all.  If you want someone to stay, though, the rooms are huge and very comfortable.  There's a pull out couch and recliners.

The only thing you'll be having after surgery is sugar free liquids and chicken/beef broth, sugar free popsicles and sugar free jello.  I would advise you to have lots of bottles of water, cans of chicken/beef broth, and any other drinks like Propel, Vitamin water, etc., and lots of popsicles and jello, if you like it.  Other than that, you can't eat anything for two weeks following surgery.  I also drank a lot of hot decaf tea.  I found that something hot was very soothing to drink instead of the cold drinks.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery.  You'll be so glad you did it!  I'm almost five weeks out, and my husband had surgery two weeks after me.  We both already feel the best we have in years and losing weight like crazy!!!  It's really amazing.

Hope this helps!

Melissa

Melissa -
First - Congrats on your weight loss!  I can't believe your 5 weeks out and down 72 pounds......  that is unreal!!!   Great job!

Second - Thanks for all the info - I really appreciate all your help!  I want to stay two nights also just because I have 3 dogs and a 15 month old baby at home so it is so hectic there - I would like to rest and heal a little before heading home. 

Thanks again for all the info and CONGRATS on your awesome success!

Mia's Mom

Melissa is doing very well. My ticker weight also includes weight I lost after my surgical consult and prior to surgery. Hers may or may not.

We live out of town, so we stayed in a nearby hotel the night before the surgery & my husband stayed there the night of the surgery. He checked out the next morning, thinking he would be taking me home. Well, I had some internal bleeding, so I wound up spending Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights at the hospital. The nurse overhead David & I discussing what he would do & suggested he move in with me, which he did. I loved having him there. He's very good in those situations and since I was a little out of it, I felt much better having him with me.

I took knee length pjs. I felt much better in my own jammies. I also took some slip on house shoes, but they will also give you some non slip socks that you can wear for walking. I took books to read, but was too out of it to do much reading. Mostly you'll be busy walking or drinking. They'll provide you with soap, shampoo, toothpaste & brush, etc. Your cell phone & charger would be good.

Besides laying in a good supply of decaf teas, crystal light drink mix, flavored bottled waters, some protein drink, sf jello and popsicles, fat free refried beans, etc., treat yourself to a book by a former wls patient. I've read several and ordered them from amazon.com. Like you, I want to be organized and prepared. Something I did before hand that was helpful was to purge my cabinets of foods I would no longer eat and purge my closet of clothes I wouldn't be wearing. My surgery was in October, so I went ahead and got rid of all my summer stuff. It seemed like I had a complete turn over of clothes every six weeks, so you might as well be prepared.

Good luck on your journey. I went for a check-up on Friday. Dr. B thinks I'm on track to lose all of my weight. It has been a great journey for me.

SHorter -
I am just SOOOO inspired reading your post!   I thank you for all the information but most of all for the honesty in it.  I am excited and nervous so these boards are such a great resource for me!  I look at someone like you and stop second guessing myself - even if just for a minute - and say WOW - that is soooo what I want! 

I had never thought of the books by WLS patients and I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read so that is a great idea!  I love my own jammies so I will plan for that too. 

The internal bleeding scares me - was that a result of this surgery or something unrelated (if it is not too personal to ask)? 

Thanks again for your insight!  I appreciate all the information.

Congrats on your loss so far!!  Keep up the GREAT work!

I answered some of this in response to your other post. To be honest, I was on high blood pressure medicine and had taken an aspirin a day for years (except for the two weeks prior to surgery), so my blood may have been a little on the thin side. You're younger and will probably have no complications. From side to side my abdomen was totally black from my waist to my boobs for about three weeks. By the way, you'll gain weight in the hospital from the IV; I went home weighing 11# more than when I checked in. Be sure whatever you wear home is soft and stretchy, because you're abdomen will be tender and bloated.

Another thing you might want if you're travelling far, is a pillow and blanket in your car. I was sleepy and cold. In fact, hot flashes became a welcome relief from the never ending cold. I didn't realize how my fat had kept me insulated!

Best wishes for a great loss.

I was in my own panties and jammies within an hour of getting back to my room.  I hate those drafty gowns!!  Oh, I recommend slip on shoes to make it easy to get on without bending over. I was walking the halls as soon as I had my jammies on and was covered.  Dont' bother with a book or magazine.  You will either be sleeping or walking the halls.

I had boullion, sf jellos, crystal light, and some protein shakes when I got home.

I felt wonderful post-op.  Easiest surgery I have ever had.

Thanks for the info Happy Cat!!   Congrats on your AWESOME success.   I LOVE LOVE LOVE hearing about others successes on these boards!!

Keep up the great work!

Just a few more days and it will be your turn on the losers bench.  I had VSG on 05/18/2009 with Dr. B and have lost 115lbs never in my life did I dream i would be in the 120's ever again, but I weighed 122 at my PCP today.  This journey has been absolutley amazing, and I have had absolutely had no problems right after surgery or up until this point except low iron which can be easily corrected.  I to took my own PJs to the hospital and was in them quickly.  I agree with the slip on shoes or no skid socks.  I also took all my own shower products from Bath and Body they would have provided but i wanted my favorite scent.  i took my makeup, and hair stuff as well and got up the next morning fixed my hair and put my entire face on I felt wonderful and had very little pain just a little dispointed at my weight that first morning because i had gained from the IV fluids.   Prepare your pantry and freezer with broth, sugar free jello, and sugar free popscicles.  I know it seems hard to believe but I promise you you will not feel physically hunger and you will feel full with the liquids.  I still havn't felt physical hunger 15 months out but the emotional eating is an everyday battle.  Hang in there it's almost your day there has been an occasional second or two were I wondered if this was the right decision but then I look at my life now and the changes I have seen and then to hear your children say "mom you are so pretty" makes it all worth while.

and yes my husband stayed with me in the room, the couch makes out into a bed and the staff brought him sheets, pillows and a blanket for comfort