Hi all,

My surgery for RNY is in 4 days.  I am traveling four hours away for it and have to stay in a motel for maybe 10 days after.  Any tips on what I should take with me?

Also, what kind of calcium did you use right after surgery? Is there a liquid or chew or something?  The surgeons office didn't mention what type.  I am off to the store now to look, but any suggestions would be helpful. I have to take vit. D also.    I have been taking Citracal but those are horse pills and I'm sure I shouldn't take those right after surgery. 

I am getting so nervous now.  I have been working on this for 19 months and now my day is near. I didn't think it would ever happen. 

Thanks!!

Linda

I know how you feel about the distance... I have a 2 hour drive to get there.. not quite as long as yours, but, I do have to stay in a motel for a few days afterwards. 

As for calcium.. My doctor told me that I could actually chew some Tums..for a few til I get some calcium Citrate. 

4
 days.. wow!! it is amazing how time flies!!  I am about 20 days away.  Good Luck, hon and God Bless!

Hi, thanks for responding.  How long do you have to stay in a motel after your surgery?  My surgeon said 10-12 days the other day but before he said 7-10, so will see.  I have reservations for 8 days.  It's kinda scary knowing I will be 4 hours away from him once I go home.   Your 20 days will probably come fast. 

Linda

Hey Linda.. it was somewhat confusing when they were telling me... I believe it is a week from surgery date?  As for reservations.. We have not made any...we can get a discount through the hospital, and the day we check in.. we were told to talk to a conceirge and they will check to see if this 2 bedroom house is available.. it is first come first served bases. 

As for certain vitamins.. I was told to take flinstones chewables with Iron about 2 weeks out from surgery, b-12, and calcium citrate.  We live in a rural area.. we do have walmart LOL but, the pickins are slim for varieties.  I was actually told that I could chew some tums?

I got the Caltrate 600+D chewables at CVS.  They are berry flavored.  I bought 2 bottles recently when they were buy one get one 1/2 off and I think they go on sale often so I plan to just check the ads and buy a couple whenever they are on sale.  I am stil preop but I already had a calcium deficiency and used to take the generic tablets and those are huge pills.   But the Caltrate actually takes good.  I also use the Centrum Silver Chewable for the multivitamin, it is for 50+ according to the label, but I am 45 and surgically menopause so they are good for me.  In my program we also are required to take chewable iron, but those I could not find in any store so I ordered the Bariatric Advantage online and they are strawberry flavored.  And also in my program we are required to take a B12 sublingual supplment.  (sublingual means you put it under the tongue and it dissolves) and I just bought Nature Made brand B12 at the pharmacy.  But my nutritionist said when you go home from the hospital you do the liquid protein until you have your first postop appointment with the surgery in 2 to 3 weeks after the surgery and then you start your supplements.  So check with your doctor on when to start because all doctors and programs seem to have different rules on what and when is required.  Good luck on the surgery.  I have about another month to wait but it cant come too soon as far as I am concerned.  I am sooooo ready!

Hi Donna,

I went to Walmart tonight and found some Caltrate 600 +D chewables, so I got those.  I'm supposed to get some Ferrogel Forte. Have you heard of that?  I couldn't find that.  I will have to call them on Monday.   They didn't mention anything about taking B12.   I got everything else they said, just can't find that Ferrogel.  Oh and I found the Centrum Silver Chewables too.  Thank you for the tips. 

Are you getting nervous yet?  I am pretty nervous and feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to get everything done I need to beforehand.  I'm so ready to get to a healthy weight but scared too.

Linda

Linda, I looked up Ferrogels Forte on drugs.com and that is a brand name.

 

FerroGels Forte

Generic Name: Cyanocobalamin/Folic Acid/Iron/Vitamin C (SYE-an-oh-koe-BAL-a-min/FOE-lik AS-id/EYE-urn/VYE-ta-min)
Brand Name: Examples include FerroGels Forte and Maxaron Forte

I would try just asking the pharmacist if they carry it in the store.  Maybe they have it but in a different brand or better yet a generic. 

As far as my upcoming surgery, I would not say I was nervous.  But I am anxious.  I got postoponed recently from 9/29 due to doc schuduling issues and I am just anxious to finally get this done and be on the other side of the operation.  But I have had my tonsils removed, my gallbladder removed, 4 surgeries on my right leg, and a TAH-BSO, so surgery itself does not make me nervous.  I remember being really nervous with the gallbladder because I was in my 20's and it was the 1st surgery I remembered because the tonsils I was like 5.  But you are having it laprascopically right?  I just have 4 tiniest little scars that are barely noticeable from when my gallbladder was removed.  The WLS op is more involved and I am expecting will be more uncomfortable but even with my open TAH-BSO they made me get up and walk that very night!  So, I think the WLS cant be as bad as that.  Plus, dont forget to ask for some nice drugs if you need em. 

Also I would suggest if you have not done so yet, make sure you get a supply of what ever foods you will need for the first couple of weeks after the surgery, broths etc.  Whatever is on your surgeons list of approved food.  Like mine, you go home on Stage 3 and it includes sugar free popsicles and other things that you will want handy because you cant drive until the surgeon gives you the all clear after the first postop appointment.  At least I know I cant.  But you will do fine.  Just remember everyone says it is normal to feel slightly more pain on the left side because that is where most of the action is taking place with the instruments.  It sounds like you are thinking of everything and will get everything accomplished. 

Call me late to the party. I'm also taking Caltrate 600+D Plus Minerals.

Tastes like sweet tarts. I like 'em so much I take extra - LOL - only 2x the dose, but I'm a big girl!

Uh-oh.  I just looked and the #1 ingredient is Dextrose (2g sugar).

I'm not sure if it is a good post-op choice, but I'm just guessing, so don't be alarmed. I hope someone post-op chimes in.