6 weeks pre-op..........what do I pack

Hi all. 11/30 will be having an open RNY at Mass General. Performed by Dr. Randall. He's a sweetheart and very confident surgeon. I know I'll have many more questions, but for now I'll start with the least important I guess I'll be in the hospital for 4 or 5 days after surgery. What suggestions do you have for packing my hospital bag?

Welcome Margaret, Congratulations on your decision to have this surgery I was 56 when I had my surgery done by Dr. Randall three years ago both decisions were some of the best I have ever made. My life is truly much better. He is absolutely amazing and will be there for you both preop and post op. He's one of the best in the country has done thousands of surgeries over more than twenty years. As for packing, don't bring much, the hospital will provide everything you need. If I can be of any help or answer any questions please feel free to email me.

Hi Rita! It was very nice to hear from someone my age who has been through this surgery. I think I may be taking you up on your email offer. Thanks again, Peg

Welcome I had surgery with Dr. Randall at Lawrence Memorial in Medford last November. He is a great surgeon and he will take very good care of you. I would not pack much except for panties and your own pads. Many women get their periods after sugery. I got mine the next day and it was not due for over a week. I was stuck wearing those wonderful fish net hospital underwear with pads that did not stick. I had also brought lots of reading material but my eyes could not focus on them. I would leave your night gowns, robe and slippers at home. The hospital gowns worked fine one in the front and one in the back. Everything was covered. The hospital will also give you non slip socks to wear. You will do alot of sleeping in the hospital and walking during your hopital stay. You may want to bring chap stick and your own mosturizing cream. Good Luck!

Thanks for the heads up. Gee, you're coming up to your 1 year anniversary. Congratulations! I hope it was uneventful for you. Are you pleased with your progress? Would you mind if I kept in touch as I go through the process and surgery? Looking forward to hearing more, Peg

Hi Peg Feel free to keep in touch with me. You can e-mail me directly if you want at [email protected]. it is great to have support at this time. I just had my family to support me and another woman who I met who had the surgery through Dr. Randall a couple years before me. This is also a great website for support and answer any questions you may have. I just wigh the Massachusetts board was little bit more active. I am very pleased with my results I have lost 105 lbs. and have gone down 9 sizes in my clothes. Before going into this I was not prepared for the expense piece of always buying new clothes. Shopping at this stage is now fun because I can go into the misses section and buy off the rack including the clearence rack. I was required to take six weeks off from work due to the type of job I have. I had all my work clothes dry cleaned and did not try any of them on. One the first day back to work I got dressed and my pants just about fell off even though I had anly lost about 35 lbs.(LOL) Overall my surgery was uneventful. I had a fever the day after surgery. I was brought down the have a swallow test done to make sure I did not have any leaks. During this time Dr. randall was with me he did not just give orders he wanted to see for himself and he was ready to go back into surgery if there were any leaks. He then had me go for a chest x-ray to check pnemonia. He then put me on antibiotics just incase I did have pnemonia. i did go into surgery with a slight cold and cough. I waited more than a year to have this surgery and I was not going to change the date because of a cold with no fever or sore throat. I was re-admitted to the hospital a couple of weeks after surgery by Dr. Randall because no one else would listen to me. I ended up with a kidney stone that I had difficulty passing due to I was not drinking enough. I got kidney stones before having surgeryas well as I continue to get them. As I said you will be in very good hands with Dr. Randall. I do not know anything about MGH. I saw Dr. Randall twice everyday except the day I was released on which was Thanksgiving. He had told me he would not be in on that day which was fine with me. He should spend sometime with his family. Keep in touch and let me know how things are going, or to vent or ask questions. Janet

Thanks a bunch...I'll be in touch! Peg

Congrats and Good luck, like the others said you won't need much. I recommend chapstick, the one thing I brought and actually used. I did have a light short robe that I used. Hairbrush , underwear, my own toothbrush and toothpaste. Otherwise they have all you need. Gwen

I had reading material, a pair of slip on slippers, and some sort of nightgown that was ziper down (extra roomy) and tooth brush, tooth paste and brush Dont forget chapstick! this is very important as your lips will be very very dry. Good luck, these next few weeks will fly Jess

Thank for the info!