let me pick your brains some more!

hi jaimee; when is your surgery? here is what i did to answer your questions. driving; if your lap- plan about 2 weeks or untill after you see your doc for the first post-op visit, if your open- the general guildlines for return to driving is about 4-6 weeks-depends on your doc. reason for the long time that you may not be able to drive is because of the seatbelt thing and the steering wheel thing. if your were to get in an accident the belt may injury your tummy and the surgical area also the steering wheel could injury you very badly. 2 weeks worth of supply should be good enough, however if you end up being open you will need someone to go shopping for you or ride with someone. my favorite postop drink is crystal light and propel like you. i used nitro-tech protein drink from GNC. the larger size is very afforable compared to the other drinks on the market and its GOOD. Comes in three flavors. its a powder and you mix it with water or milk. i preferred milk. also the usual sf popcycles and jellos. never heard about the jello think about mixing the koolaid (i presumed this is what you meant) sounds good though. as for bubble baths- the doc said no baths till i had my staples out. i haven't been able to be the bubble bath type for a long time. the last time i took a bath in the tub was 2000. i almost got stuck in it!!!! LOL. soon i will be able to be comfortable in the tub againl. also-if your doc or nurses don't tell you, you should you dial soap (if your not allergic to it). dial soap has been proven to prevent infection to incision lines. we use this on ALL our heart bypass patients when they bath. hope this helps. let me know when your surgery is.` i'm anxious to know when it is. i think its coming soon, if i remember correctly. take care and god bless!!!!

**jennifer--hint: up under the posters name-like on yours-it shows the date of suregry- jaimee is scheduled 11/29...

Hi Jaimee.....Seems like everyone ha**** on anything I could tell you. I drank a lot of gatorade at first. I liked the lemon ice or oramge or something of that sort, not the fruity stuff....too sweet. with lots of ice....I think it helped with the swelling. If you drink hot tea try peppermint tea. It is very soothing to new pouch. Also when you try broth try mixing chicken and beef half and half. I was amazed at how much better it tasted. You won't believe it til you try it! You will do fine and those first few weeks will quickly pass and you will be on to your new life....Good luck. Anna L Archer RNY 7/27/04 [email protected]

I had lap RNY 2/16/04 I went to the grocery store with my husband the day I was released from the hospital (2/18/04). I drove (and went back to work) at one week. I've never tried Propel. Presently I enjoy Crystal Light...I like tart. Early on my issue though was with cold drinks...they would make me belch...I drank a lot of hot tea/water with lemon sort of thing. I like sf jello, and I never added anything to it. Early on I ate it regularly and noticed my finger nails were stronger than ever I should get back to eating it more regularly now because I enjoyed my strong nails. Early on my protein came from Cottage Cheese and sf carnation mix with added powdered milk. I asked my doctor when it was alright for me to be submerged (swim, bath, etc...which was at my 3 month post-op...I probably could have done it at 8-10 weeks but I waited to ask him specifically. Hope this helps...God Bless you on your Journey, Jennifer 5'3"/306/190/130

Thanks for all of the good advise guys! ~~Jaimee