Hospital Stay and Other Precautionary Things :)

I've completed my Pre-Op clearance, my PCP has signed off, I'm all set to go. Now the only question is.. what do I pack? Lol. 

I remember this being such a big deal when I went to give birth, and now I seem to think its equally important now.. But maybe not! What the hell do I need? 

At the end of my pre-op appointment, they told me not to bring any valuables. Like.. not really to bring anything. Do I not need clothes? Am I not allowed to brush my teeth after surgery? What about entertainment, like a laptop? I know I will be encouraged to walk throughout the day but... I will certainly be resting sometimes, right? Lol. Starting to get anxious and maybe packing could put me a little at ease. 

Side note, I have been researching food products for after surgery. There is a brand called Bariatric Choice and another similar as in has-no-identifiable-differences-brand Bariatric Pal. They offer soups and drinks, and the flavors are enticing. What are your thoughts on them? Tempting to have such an easy prep with a little one running around!

LOLing at your post.  I am almost 6 weeks post-op.  It is like a walk down a recent memory lane.  I was so worried about all of those things.  Here is my personal experience:

You need next to nothing.  they provide toothbrushes.  Lip balm.  Any drinks you might need.  I did not wear the gown or robe I brought until I was leaving the hospital.  I did not need my slippers.  I did not have my phone or ipad (my mother's got STOLEN when she had her knee replaced).  And you are either sleeping, walking or trying to drink anyway.  AND there is a television if you are up at 0 dark thirty and don't feel like walking the halls.

Don't buy too much of anything.  I bought a whopping 8 cases of protein drinks.  Some I still like but most not so much.  Your tastes may change, especially for sweet things.  Here is what I actually ate:  refried beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, Premier Protein drinks.  TheWorldAccordingToEggface.com is a great website for food ideas after, but don't make too much.  The liquid and puree stage goes faster than you might think and you can't eat much anyway.  I have a freezer full of pureed soups that I never want to see again.  So many nice little 1/4 cup containers.  I did use an ice cube tray to freeze little portions of refried beans.  I love my Unjury protein powder, both unflavored and the chicken broth flavor.  Lifesaver when you just can't get enough protein in your day.

Vitamins:  I have gone through many.  I did not like the Opurity chewable vits or calcium.  I have the BA calcium hews, which are ok but 15 calories each.  My surgeon recommends NatureMade vitamins but your place will recommend what they think you need.  Just don't get any gummies.

Good luck!  This is a wonderful journey.  Lots of great advice here.

It's funny you say that, because my center recommends gummies, atleast for the first 3 weeks, or atleast offers it as an option. I've opted for Bariatric Advantage Chewables for multivitamin, Tums until I can tolerate the Calciums Chews, Nature Made Iron and Country Life B12. Guess I don't have much to pack then :/ 

Tums are calcium carbonate. You will not absorb the calcium from those, but they can cause a variety of complications. We can only absorb calcium citrate.

What Grim said.  We cannot absorb the carbonate version in Tums.  BA calcium chewables (the huge white pill) taste horrible but only 5 calories.  BA calcium chews 15 cals each.  When you can take pills the pill form is cheaper.  My surgeon did not require calcium until I could swallow pills.

Then why the hell are they recommending that?? Okay. I need to buy a different calciumsupplement. Thanks for the tip.

You see doctors and nutritionists making some really crazy recommendations sometimes. I have no idea why.

Part of the problem is, it may be their jobs, but it isn't their lives. People that had surgery years ago and have learned how to be successful and healthy living this life know a lot more of these details than many of the professionals.

Most people bring far too much. Wear loose fitting clothes to the hospital, and wear the same clothes home. Phone and charger. You won't feel like doing much else, and you won't xare much about your makeup and such.

Keep it simple.

This is exactly right... they provided everything I needed, really. I did have some chap-stick, but I left it on a food tray, and BOOM, it was gone 

My phone and IPad were the only two things I used... the skid proof socks they had on me made it the entire time (and I think they're at home, clean, in my sock drawer, because, yeah, I have issues with throwing things away)

I wore home the same clothes I came in.

I did enjoy a pillow to cushion the seatbelt on the way home! 

You need almost nothing. Loose fitting clothes. Phone, charger. Lip balm. I did bring a toothbrush. That was pretty much it.

Don't order too much ahead of time because you might not like certain things for too long. I did order a few times and like some things and then randomly stopped liking them lol!