Any Last Minute Tips?

Hi everyone, its me again!  It's less than 48 hours until my RNY surgery and I'm hitting the panic button!  Can anyone give me any tips on what I should bring to the hospital ( i already heard chapstick from a few of you, thank you).  Or any insights anyone wants to share about their hospital experience that may be helpful.  My surgery will be in Hackensack University Medical Center at 10:15am Monday morning.  I will leave my house by 6:30!  Early early early...but I guess that's better than late.

Also, at GNC the lady there sold me a big bottle of liquid calcium that I need to take 1/2 tsp twice a day to get my 1200 mg..... but will I need the liquid?

And can anyone share their thoughts on the clear liquid protein.  I bought isopure in 2 different flavors.... but I will only need that for a short time I think.....
After that, anyone found any really good protein drinks?  I'm a bit of a whimp when it comes to drinking this stuff...I need it to be really good.

Anyway, that's enough from me!  Love to hear from you...I will be checking the computer until tomorrow evening....then I'm off!!!!

Thanks
Danielle

Hi Danielle:
Honestly, you don't really need too much for the hospital.  Chapstick is a good idea.   I pretty much wore the hospital gown the whole time.  I didn't shower until I got home (just did the sponge bath thing).  You may want to bring a few magazines to flip through, or an MP3 player to listen to music.  Make sure you wear something comfortable (like sweats or pull on shorts) to the hospital - you can wear the same thing home.

Liquid or chewable vitamins are good - eventually you will be able to them in pill form.  Honestly, I was (and still am not) big on the protein shakes - just don't like them.  Very early out, I drank Carnation sugarfree instant breakfast, but when given the go-ahead for food, worked really hard to get all my protein from regular food.  Don't stock up on too many protien drinks - your tastes may change after surgery, so you may want to buy a few single servings so that you aren't stuck with a case of something you hate!!

You will do just great!!  Saving a seat for you on the loosers bench!
Best of luck!! 

Don't forget your cell phone charger.If you have long hair,ponytails.I showered the moment they said I could it was the next morning & the morning after that.I felt the best right after the shower & that's when walking my laps was easiest.Use the pain meds they offer you don't wanna let pain get the best of you.Walk ,walk walk sip sip sip & rest rest rest
I agree don't go crazy with drinks because what my be tolerable preop may just gross you out post op.Best of luck for a speedy uneventful surgery happy thoughts,prayers &hugs hugs hugs to you

Thanks so much you two!  I'm taking it all in piece by piece. 
I didn't buy much in the line of protein shakes....right now I just have 2 bottles of isopure clear protein drink to get me through the first week or so....then I'll take it day by day on what I feel like.
Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers and I'll be checking back in soon!

By the way, do you think I will feel up to blogging if I bring my laptop??????  I know Hackensack is wireless and they said I can bring it......just not sure if I'll feel up to it or not.


Danielle

Honestly, I'm not sure you would have the attention span to do it - the pain meds are pretty strong - I drifted in and out of sleep most of the time, with a little magazine flipping, and a little tv.  I tried to play my game boy, but I couldn't concentrate on it - LOL!!  You could always have a family member bring after a day or so.

Things I took to the hospital:
Ipod
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Cellphone and Charger
Sweatpants ( my surgery was in January so you might want some big baggy shorts for under your gown so your not flashing everyone on the floor!  )
Hairbrush
Deoderant
Feminine supplies (I got my period 6 hours out of surgery for the first time in 1 1/2 years.  I'm on the depo shot.  Surgery tends to bring on Aunt Flow )

That's it.  I wore home the same outfit I wore to the hospital (make sure it's big and comfy).

I couldn't stomach the protein drinks before surgery and it was 10 times worse after surgery.  I also used the carnation no sugar added powder with Calorie Countdown milk.  It's the only drink I didn't gag on.  It also comes in a ready to drink for that's great if your going out.

Well, I'll stop my babbling now.  Good luck on Monday!  Looking forward to seeing you on the loser's bench!

 danielle,

you will be just fine!!!

i brought tons of things i was told to bring and i needed close to absolutely nothing.

i wore the hospital gown........oh...i did bring underwear! these are the very few things i actually DID use:

toothbrush and paste
slippers
lotion or cream for my hands feet and face
dvd player...although i didn't use it much
bring your own soap if you can...usually hospital soap is yucky
ahhhhhhhhhh and my very OWN pillow.........and husband.......

let us know how you make out!!

best of luck!

all the advice you got is good, bring very little, time will fly

dont worry about too many protein drinks once home , your tastes will change often.

mine still do

most of all good luck to you, i know you are eagerly awaiting your big day

hugs, jacki

bring yourself and the  hospital will supply the rest -- if they offer you respitory treatments DO THEM!! it helps so much with dry mouth and dry nasal!! i didn't need chapstick or the swabs or anything :) the pain meds will keep you knocked out most of the time -- the rest of the time get up and walk -- it will be nice to get up and get around -- since day 1 i took all my vitamins and meds by the handful just  like i always used to -- i took 2 percs once i was home -- and both for sleeping at night -- i came home on friday afternoon and was driving monday morning -- dr said as long as i wasn't taking narcs i could drive -- dont' worry about what to eat the first week -- you won't want to eat or drink anything -- just concentrate on your water intake so you don't become dehydrated -- after 2 weeks then start to worry about your protein intake -- dont' rush into solids -- it's not about diet or food or anything the first 2 weeks --it's about your stomach healing -- major surgery is still major surgery -- never ever ever cut or crush a prescription medication -- always ask your pharmacist or dr first -- they could be time released and you could OD or just not get the theraputic value of the med -- all vitamins and minerals can be cut or crushed or whatever because none are time released -- never be afraid to call your dr office for questions -- think positive -- you will be fine :)

good luck
roberta

I just wanted to thank everyone for your advice and your support.  I love everyone here and I remind myself everyday how lucky I was to have been introduced to this site.  I don't think I could be where I'm at now without all of you!!!!

Well, I'm off!  In 12 hours I'll be in the hospital preparing for surgery, so I'm off to get a good nights sleep....

Peace Out!  And I'll check back in when I'm feeling up to it.

Love
Danielle