Surgery Date Set!

I got my surgery date today! It will be on May 6th, 2005 at OHSU with Dr Deveny. The nurse said it will be a Roux-En Y Lap. Yeah! I know it might have to be an open once they get started, but after they told me I had to have an open surgery this is really good news. Now I have to get ready for the hospital stay. We live 200 miles away from the hospital and I want to be organized. I was wondering if you all had helpful hints for the hospital stay? What are good protien drinks for right after surgery? And what are some good Ideas for home care? I am so excited! My husband is scared for me and so is my family, they think this is a little drastic. I think it is right for me.

Hi, congratulations on your surgery date!! Wow that is soon! I don't really have much advice as I'm pre-op myself and waiting for a date. I'm not sure if you need a specific type of protein drink but I drink the Atkin's Diet shakes and they are YUMMY, they have a lot of vitamins/minerals/protein and only 1-2 carbs (depending on the shake) I know what you mean about family members feeling it's drastic, my boyfriend feels that way and my mom does somewhat.. but It's already been decided Good luck!! Brianna

Hi Candace, I am excited for you too. I am 5 years post RNY proximal. I didn't know this board existed until a couple of weeks ago. If you really want advice from on oldie- here it is 1. If you are a routine coffee drinker you may want to know that post surgical pain relief does nothing for a coffee deprived headache. And by the time the surgery is over you should be pretty deprived. Ask you doctor if you can have a nodoz or something like that post surgery for the headache. That was the only post surgical pain I had-(lap done) 2. Be really careful after surgery with so called protein drinks- hidden fats and sugars. I found, through a Lap-Band friend- Solae's LIGHT chocolate soy milk. Very very low in calories and fats, but super high in protein. It is so chocolaty that you do not taste any soy milk after taste. It has been a life saver for me. And has the added bonus of being somewhat thickened so if you add ground up ice you feel like its a milk shake. 3. Well, your family is right- it is drastic. But so is dying from obesity and the complications that has. So, if you believe it is right for you then go for it. 4. Best advice for home care, if you have a LAP? WALK WALK WALK I was 48 and by walking litterly every single day- even when it was cold and iky and raininy, I didn't have too much a problem with the loose skin thing that some people end up having surgery for. My husband was actually the one behind the walking- I was the whiner tagging along. 5. The other advice is to drink lots and lots and lots of water-for the rest of your life, but especially after surgery- it will help clear your body of the wonderful drugs they use during surgery.... Good luck!!! Di

Actually, I just posted this here but Protdiet gelatin based protein is probably the best source out there now for being a pure protein. A lot has become available since you had surgery! Protidiet has 15 grams of protein per small serving with no fat and 2 grams of carbs. I instantly feel better once I have one if I'm feeling weak. Dina

Thank you guys for the information, I will take it to heart. I really want to be prepared. I am ready for the after surgery me.

Hi Candace! Congratulations on your surgery date. Some of the things I brought to the hospital that helped make my stay easier were socks, slippers, Chapstick, a robe.....that's about all I needed to be happy. I'm sure your doc will have advice for home care! I was just so glad to be home that that was care in itself! Kathleen

Hey Kathleen! How's my fellow Ensanada-bound patient doing? You are probably close to goal right now, aren't you? Dina

Congrats on your surgery date! As for protein, I highly recommend protidiet liquid gelatin drinks. They are the easiest going down when you are feeling nauseous....they go down like Crystal Light. Whey can kind of make some people nauseous. You can do a google search and find it online. Tropical fruit, pineapple and lemonade are my favorite. You can also contact Coastal Physical Therapy in Brookings and get it cheaper than anywhere I've found online. They charge $6.50 a box as opposed to $10.00 a box elsewhere. 800-778-7314 is there phone number. (And no, I am *not* affiliated. Just a bargain shopper....) Dina