Lots of questions

Hi I am going to be a pest...but I have a million questions now that my surgery is less than three weeks away. Would appreciate any input you post-ops might have I am expected to have a LAP RNY in Gainesville,GA on the 22nd. 1. What did you wear to come home from the hospital? What did you wear your first few days at home? Were clothes uncomfortable? 2. What did you eat your first couple of days at home? 3. How long before you could drive? 4. How long before you got out of the house a little? 5. Was your DH able to spend the night with you in the hospital? Mine is thinking of going to work the day after surgery... will I need him in the hospital that day? 6. When did you start taking your protein and vitamins? Any special brands recommended for vitamins? 7. Anyone on levoxyl or thyroid meds? When could you take those? How about Zoloft? 8. Did you sleep in your bed? Or did you get something special in for after surgery? 9. How much "sleeping" did you do the first week after you came home? Lots of little naps, or did you go back to an 8 hour at night schedule? How soon after surgery did you go to an 8 hour sleep schedule? I am sure I will have a million more questions, but that's it for now Thanks for all your input

1. I wore a gown and house coat home and I work a gown for about 5 days. 2. I drank broth, and eat jello and popcycles for one week. On the day I went back to Dr. Proctor I ate 1/2 of a boiled egg that morning to see if it would stay down, it did. From there I started eating soft protien , like cottage cheese , refried beans, etc. I never had any trouble with what I ate. 3 & 4. I had the Lap.surgery on March 31, 2004 and I went back to work on April 12 and I was driving by then. 5. My husband stayed with me , but I really didn't need him durning the day on Thurs. I had surgery on Wed. and went home on Fri. 6. I started my protien the second week . 1 scoop of Isopure in 12 oz. of carb countdown milk with 4 packets of splenda and 1 teaspoon of vanilla flavoring. I put it in the freezer till it was very cold. It would take me an hour to drink it. I used the chewable Flintstones multi vitimins and the under the tongue B12. and the Viactiv calcium chews. 7. I crushed my synthroid and lexapro and started taking it the first week. 8. I slept in a recliner the first couple of nights and then in my bed. 9. I slept little cat naps for the first week or two , but in no time at all I was back on schedule. I hope this helps. God bless you in this new way of life. Judy

Thanks so much Judy.. Yes, this helps ALOT

Hello Maureen. I'm one week out today from a lap RNY and here is how it is going... I was in the hospital for 2 nights and my mother stayed the first night with me and I was fine the second night in the hospital. After discharge she stayed with me for 3 days but by then I was ready for her to go and she was ready to go home and feel that I would be all right alone. It was nice having someone around to do load the dishwasher and other little things around home. I wasn't up to a lot of bending and stooping the first few days. I got out of the house the day after I came home. because my mother is from out of town I did the driving with no problems (Doc said ok as long as I wasn't taking pain pills). We went to 2 stores and walked around for about 30 minutes each. Driving in between let me rest some. I try to get out for at least an hour or two every day so I don't feel caged up. Went to vote today but thank goodness it only took about 20 minutes. Not much for standing in lines yet! My sleep however stinks. I can't sleep for more that 1 to 1 1/2 hours without going to the bathroom. But I've been in my bed since the first day. Hope this helps and good luck to you denise

Thanks Denise It is a big help Thinking I will let hubby go to work on the day after surgery while I am still in the hospital, and take off three or four days after I get home.

Hi Maureen. GREAT Questions! 1) I wore the same clothes I wore TO the hospital, which was a very loose pair of pants (drawstring) and a very loose shirt. For a day or two I wore a really loose gown, (but keep in mind, I had OPEN rny). The only clothing that was painful to me was my bra, cuz i****ing the top of my incision whi*****luded the top lap incision. (I wound up having both lap and open due to a complication). 2) First week home, I had liquids... I had been ok'd to have "creamier/thicker" liquids instead of just clear. So I ate tomato soup, s/f jello, s/f popsicles, and my protein shakes. 3) I could not drive for 2 weeks, due to the open incision. MADE ME NUTS! 4) I got out of the house just a couple days after getting home...however...it will not take much and you will be EXHAUSTED!! Don't plan to do any major shopping! 5)Since I am divorced DH doesn't stand for "dear" husband! My best friend stayed in the hospital with me both nights I was there. She didn't HAVE to stay, but she did cuz I asked her to. She came and went for a few days while I was home. The biggest help I needed was getting my son back and forth to band practice, church etc. She was an AMAZING help as far as that was concerned. If it had just been ME at home, I would not have needed as much help. 6) I started my vits and protein as soon as I got home. I used Flintstone multi's, GNC Calcium and B-12. Bariatricadvantage.com has an iron supplement that I take, that has helped my energy level. 7) Thyroid meds were not applicable to me. 8) I didn't sleep in my bed. I have a recliner couch... I slept there for about 3 weeks...but again, keep in mind I had OPEN rny. AND I am known to sleep here quite a bit anyway! (Pathetic, I know!LOL!) 9) I slept pretty well every time I took my Lortab. However, I did have a good bit of cat napping. It didn't take long to get back to 8 hour sleep. Here's something else to anticipate, so you won't freak when it happens... there is what they call the "morphine let down day". This day is one where for some reason, you are very emotional, and do a fair share of crying and you can't exactly explain why.... A lot of women I have spoken with have had this occur. Hope this helps! -Tami

Thanks so much Tami I have an ex-DH too... so I know what you mean Going to go buy some of the Iron Supplements at Bariatric advantage

Hi Maureen First congrats on your upcoming surgery, I know you are excited and nervous all at the same time. I will keep you in my prayers - you will be up and losing before you know it! 1. I wore very loose scrubs & that was fine for me, so I would just think anything not constricting would be fine. Maybe sweats or drawsting pants are really nice because you can adjust them depending on your soreness. 2. The first couple of days was mostly liquids like crystal light, no sugar added apple juice, s/f jello and s/f pops. Some applesauce but chicken broth was my friend because it was soothing to the new pouch. I also had to work on my protein drinks and try to get those down. 3. I was released to return to work & drive 2 weeks post op 4. I got cabin fever pretty quick and tried going outside some (like to the mailbox and such) but take it easy and make sure someone is around if you do just in case. Like one of the other posts said you will be exhausted. I had intermittent spells of dizziness just from the meds. 5. I didn't "need" anyone to stay in the hospital, but my Mom chose to. No DH here. I actually wanted to be left alone, but I am sure everyone is different in this area. 6. I started protein & vitamins the day I got home. My surgeon put me on Flinstones complete and Tums for calcium. I had to go slow with all of this but really didn't have a problem with it. Protein was tough @ first because of the thickness/heaviness. I had to build my way up on that, but was doing the recommended amount by the end of the first week - just very slowly. 7. Sorry - no iput on this one 8. For the first several days I slept on my reclining couch & this was pretty comfortable for me. I didn't need pain meds much, but when I did take them I would before bedtime because it helped with the soreness that sets in especially from sitting all night. 9. Sleep has been challenging for me post op. During the first week or so post op I took a lot of "little naps" and never slept thru a full evening (watched lots of movies and read many books during this time) I still have some problems sleeping a full night and it wears me down sometimes. Overall though I have plenty of energy all day long I just can't seem to wind down enough for a good nights sleep. I hope this helps some. I know I was full of questions before & after surgery also. Take care & God bless Angel

Thank so much Angel Your answers are very helpful to me. Going to go out and get some sweats (probably from Goodwill.. I hate to spend alot of money on clothes right now)... and tell the husband that I will be just fine without him my second day in the hospital