9 day out!... questions

hello!

I will be having my RNY on 7/10. Soooo scared!

I have a few questions, if anyone has a minute to spare and can help me...

• Should I bring underwear to the hospital, or is this a commando situation? Bra?
• (Ick Alert)If I go #2, is it hard to wipe at first with the surgery incisions still healing?
• Is this a huge mistake I will regret forever? (Jk... but not really.)

My incisions were nowhere near my crotch, so I had no issues wearing underwear on the way home from the hospital. While in the hospital I just wore the hospital gown.

I had no issues wiping - again, incisions aren't anywhere close and I was fine with reaching/twisting for that.

Nope - it'll be great!

Congratulations! This is the start of a better life.

Underwear: It depends on how long the surgeon expects you to be in hospital. You'll want a pair for going home. I'd add an extra pair to your bag; even if you don't get a chance to use them, they don't take up much room.

It's unlikely you'll poop for the first 5 days or so because you're just on liquids. However, if it does happen, twisting your torso to wipe shouldn't be difficult. I didn't find the incisions painful, just a little tender. I got to take a shower on day 2, and found it easy enough to wash back there.

Be prepared to regret this at times, but I'm sure you will be very glad in the long run. The night after surgery I wasn't really in pain, but I was uncomfortable and felt very sorry for myself, like a little kid crying after a minor scrape. I was thinking "I had a perfectly healthy body, why did I mutilate it?" But by morning I was feeling grand.

Surprisingly, even though one of my incisions was right under the bra elastic, wearing a bra wasn't uncomfortable. You might want to bring two different bras, in case one is more comfortable with your incisions. The incision at or near the bra line is a minor incision; if you do experience soreness, it will be from the incision that's lower down and more toward your side. That's where they pull the stomach out.

You may find the following thread helpful. It may dispel some of your fears.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/6034619/What-turned-out-better-than-you-expected/

FYI- OP is having RNY, so no stomach is being pulled out.

Yes bring/wear underwear, but you'll be in your birthday suit for the surgery. I brought a cheapo wireless sports bra- goal was comfort. I left the hospital in the same clothes I wore there.

no difficulty wiping-- but I doubt you'll go #2 for a few days.

You many have momentary buyers remorse, that's normal. Long term you'll likely be wondering why you ever debated doing this.

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Thanks, everyone!! Much appreciated!

Make sure you underwear is comfortable. Most of us can. Have swelling in abdominal area. You don't need anything "fitting" - too tight. Same applies to clothes.

I was able to wear my undies on a second day in the hospital, so I was glad I have 3 pairs, since I was able to change them for the night, then fresh pair for drive home.

I did not bother with a bra. Just lose top, and I put on some bras when I got home.

Slip on shoes, so I didn't anyone to try to help me get them on.

Chapstick - that was no brainer.

Pillow for the car for the ride back home. Pillow in front of my belly to prevent the seat belt to be directly on my belly. I used a small pillow up to 3 weeks post op surgery. In case you need to "step on a brake" for some idiot pulling in front of you, when you can really appreciate the pillow. I used a small - travel size pillow post most of my surgeries (i.e hernia) when I was driving and my gut was still swollen, or sensitive to applying any pressure.

First, definitely bring your own underwear and make sure it's comfortable underwear that stretch. You will feel so much better with your own underwear then what they give you in the hospital.

Second, your incisions aren't anywhere near where you wipe so you will be good there. Although, it will be hard to go number 2 I didn't go for days.

Last, you might regret it at first but I promise in the long haul it will be the best decision you ever made!

Good luck with everything! You will be fine!

I'm just past 4 months and while i've heard that I should be having buyers remorse (especially when the hormone dump****) but it hasn't happened yet. So far, anything that has been less than positive is off set by being off all my pre-surgery meds and having a better quality of life! It may change at some point but right now, I'd say congratulations for making such a great choice for yourself!