What things did you need/would have been helpful immediately post op?

Hi there,

I had RNY surgery 2.5 years ago, I regret now spending all the money I did on vitamins and protein powders that ended up in the garbage. My taste buds changed so much post surgery that what I was taking before I could literally not get down after, it was such a huge waste of money.

I will say that my husband bought me a "Magic Bullet" it was perfect!  I still use it today when I make the odd shake.

A pillow for the car ride home, man oh man going over bumps HURT!

I was able to get from the hospital those clear plastic medicine cups, I think they hold an ounce of liquid, my nurse gave me like 10 of them, they were perfect for pouring my liquids in and visually seeing what I needed to drink.  If you can't get those specific ones, I read here that someone got the disposal plastic "shot" cups from a dollar store, that would be perfect too (like the ones you get for Jello shots). 

Looking back now what I really needed pre surgery was to work on my head and my emotions. This surgery is a mental game I tell you! I also wish I had of signed up for Obesity Help pre surgery like a lot of newbies are doing now. So many are pre surgery and they say they read everyday, have done a ton of research, how awesome is that!  The more informed the better!  I didn't join until I was a few months post op, I wish I had of had the support of the vets when I was first post op.

The other thing that was invaluable to me was having physical and emotional support right after surgery.  My husband and I dropped our two dogs off at the dog boarder the day before surgery and we picked them back up when I was 5 days post op.  There is no way in hell I could have had two Labs on me trying to "cuddle" two days after surgery, so that helped a lot. I don't have kids but I think anyone who has small kids you need to sort out your child care and even for a few days post op too.  I was so weak from lack of food and water that when I was cleared for having a shower my hubby sat on the bathroom counter top while I showed "just in case" good thing he did, because I started to get dizzy and thought I was going to faint in the shower and he was able to grab me before I went down.  I can't imagine having to look after small kids post surgery, I was not able to care for myself even.  Would like to note that I had a bit of a rough go post surgery, some people bounce right back and are at work a week after, I took six weeks off and needed every day of those six.

Best of luck to your friend!

I really needed a cane! I borrowed one and used it for about the first month. I was in a lot of pain and found it very helpful for things like getting off the toilet, out of bed, up stairs.

I am single so I didn't have to prepare meals for a family. If I had needed to I would have either made up some prepared meals for the freezer or delegated that chore to someone else. My magic bullet got a real workout. I had the meal plan well in advance and had a variety of items on hand for the first couple weeks. My recliner was also a blessing since my bedroom was upstairs. I had no problem sleeping in bed but naps were in recliner. My doctor wanted me walking at minimum 15 minutes an hour so I would walk to the post office, chat with postmaster a bit then head on home. Joys of small town living. Getting out in the sunshine was good for the spirit as well as the body. I had very little discomfort and by week two popped in a Leslie sansone DVD that I took at my own pace. Simple moves and can customize to how you feel. Plan called for liquid vitamins which I hated but got them down until I could do pills. Glad to have purchased smallest size possible. Peace and quiet are great for recovery but having my daughter stop in daily broke the boredom that a couple weeks from work caused. Blue pads on the bed at first were important as the contrast to check for leaks did a number on my number two! Saved my sheets! My fitness pal helped me Keep track of my protein and fluids since I had to bring a food journal to my post op appointments. Best tool ever is you and going into this with a positive attitude, committed to success. 

Gas-X Strips, lots of them.  Bring a box or two to the hospital.

Chewable Lact-Aid.  If you are one of the many who become lactose-intolerant, this will help you get by until non-dairy substitutes can be found.

Don't spend much on protein powders; your tastes may change dramatically after surgery.  .The only one I could tolerate after surgery was the "chicken soup" flavor.  Make sure what you do have is free of sugar alcohols, as many people cannot tolerate those after surgery.

The little 1- or 2-oz disposable cups were super helpful the first few weeks.  My hospital gave me plenty.

If you need assistance walking now, have whatever you need at the hospital and at home.  Walk walk walk after surgery!

Bio-gel (not sure if that's the right name) oral moisturizing spray.  It comes in a small spray bottle.  Helped a lot with comfort while waiting for surgery and for having multiple tests afterwards where I could have no liquids for a certain number of hours beforehand (I had some complications that required more tests than normal).

Everybody's different as to what "tastes good" after surgery, but for me the only things that worked were mashed potatoes, canned green beans, and canned, mashed beans.  I was glad that I had instant mashed potatoes on hand.