Do's and dont"s before/after surgery

Ok my surgery schedule for June 30th.YEAHH!! does anyone have any suggestions,regrets of anything they didnt do before surgey. Any do's and dont suggestiosn after surgery. Also my godson is having a bday party the day after my surgery. how realistic is it for me to actually go the following day after surgey.

No regrets on things I should have done BEFORE the surgery, but I wouldn't recommend trying to get to the birthday party for you godson.  The anesthesia alone makes you feel pretty miserable for a couple of days.  I wasn't released from hospital until early afternoon the day after my surgery and all I wanted to do was go home and sleep.  Good luck but please don't try to put so much pressure on yourself to do anything except take care of yourself for a couple of days at least following this huge life change.

I have to agree about the party, unfortunately. Everyone is different, but I was totally out of commission for at least 2 - 3 days afterward. I didn't feel 100% back to normal for almost 2 weeks. I was very tired, sore, and pretty weak from not eating much.

I would stock your house with lots of liquids so you don't have to go out if you don't feel up to it. Also, liquid Tylenol if you need it for pain, and Gas X strips as well. I didn't have to do a liquid diet or anything prior to my surgery.

I would suggest you start practicing your new eating habits like pencil eraser sized bites, chew till liquidy and wait between bites to make sure the bite is down. Also post op remember patience, patience and more patience. You won't get good restriction until you've had a few fills so don't panic when the immediate post op restriction goes away. Practice not drinking with meals because this seems to be hard for lots of folks. If you already have these skills down it makes post op alot easier, just less change to deal with all at once. Good luck!

Bring chapstick, your lips will get dry because you can't have anything by mouth until they do an exray and make sure everything is where it should be. Also, a pillow to put between you and the seatbelt on the ride home. Of course, nothing by mouth after midnight the night before surgery. Check with your doc. about taking any meds you might be on. You will do great!

Everyone is different.  I had an overnight stay with my band surgery so I know I got better drugs than those that go home the same day but I think I could have gone to a birthday party.  As long as someone is driving you and you just sit still and stay for a short time you should be o.k.  But...some have more pain than others and some tolerate pain better than others.

Make sure you ask your surgeon for anti-nausea pre- and post surgery.  I had this and never felt nauseous, but I hear of others here that vomit from the anesthesia.  I can't think of anything worse after abdominal surgery!

Bring a pillow for the car-ride home and get used to having one with you when you sit down if you have animals.  I have a terrible port scar because one of my dogs jumped on me and tore a stitch!

If you have a recliner you may want to sleep there for 1-2 nights.  The only time I had real difficulty was trying to get up or turn over from a lying position.  The reclining position made it all easier.

Have an arsenal of liquids at home waiting for you.  I was also allowed SF popsicles and SF jello.  I drank a lot of zero calorie flavored water in addition to my protein drinks.  I also dran****d tea, crystal light, and boullion, (I craved salt and savory flavors because you get sick of all the sweet tasting things).  I also had a quart of chicken broth from the local Chinese restaurant on hand.  It's tasty and more flavorful than the canned.

Don't be a hero.  Take your pain meds and stay a head of the pain.  I needed them at night only for 2-3 nights.  During the day I used Extra strength Tylenol.

Congrats!
Lisa O.

I have no regrets that I spent the 10 weeks before my surgery 'living like a bandster'.

I reduced my intake of processed carbs, I started to eliminate liquids with my meals (and for an hour afterwards).

I started to take tiny (pea-sized) bites and eat with a baby spoon when I was at home.

As far as the party the day after surgery, I could have attended for an hour or 2 (I had out-patient surgery at 7:30am and was home before noon.  I did not take any narcotics -- just Liquid Tylenol -- and was able to drive the following day).

I planned for a nap every day for a week post-op, and I was happy that I had a heating pad at home.
I was grateful that I had stocked up on a bunch of different protein drinks because tastes change after surgery and variety helped me feel more satisfied.

I had Unjury mix in a few flavors, Isopure clear liquids, Chicken Noodle Soup, sugar-free popsicles, Carnation instant breakfast, Muscle Milk and Profect.
I took my 'leftovers' to my local support group when I was finished with the liquid phase.

There are a lot of specific do's and don'ts but let me give you a general one.  For the first seven days after surgery, IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU.  Clear you schedule, allow your body to heal and focus on your new lifestyle.  Go to the party if you feel up to it at that moment, don't if you don't .  Cancel at the last minute or leave in a heartbeat if you need to.  If only for this week, you need to take care of yourself.  You deserve it.  Good luck!

Thanks everyone.this is my first post and I got the answers I was looking for. I appreciate it.good tips:)

Thank you all .  I go in for surgery June 6th and have a better idea what to expect and have on hand.