First Post: Surgery is next week!

Hi All!

I am officially 8 days away from a newer, healthier me!  Any advice on what is essential to bring to the hospital and to have on hand for the first few days when I get home?  I have enjoyed reading your stories and learning from your journeys.  I am so ready for the 10th to get here so I am stop thinking about this, and get to doing this!

Hi DMM!  Make sure you bring the most loose clothes you can to wear home, as your incisions will still possibly be really sore and tender.  I brought my phone charger, gas x strips and tooth brush/tooth paste, glasses.  I traveled pretty light!  :)  Good luck and so excited you are on the journey to a healthier you! 

Sherrie

If there is one thing I have a lot of, it's loose clothes!

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!

Here are some links to information you may find helpful:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/photographing-your-weigh t-loss-surgery-journey

http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/weight-loss-surgery-hosp tial-stay-what-to-pack

http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/four-on-the-floor-self-c are-after-weight-loss-surgery

We can't wait to hear from you post-op!

Good Luck on your new journey DMM!!  Don't forget the chapstick.  It was invaluable for me!!

I would have a small variety of things on hand for when you get home, depending on your surgeons plan. For liquids, broth, protein shakes/powder, sugar free jello and SF Popsicles if allowed.I wouldn't get too much of any one thing or flavor because your tastes may change after surgery and you may have to try several combinations to find what will suit your new tummy.. and after a few days you will be feeling up to going out to the store should you need to pick up more of something. Congrats and hope it all goes smoothly next week!

Hi:

My hospital had a toothbrush and toothpaste but you can bring yours anyway. I think the most important thing is slippers with rubber soles. I had to walk the floor and thank goodness I had them. Second most important thing was an elastic waist pair of pants.

Other than that, I watched tv, slept, sipped water, slept.

I'm so excited for you! Your world is about to change!

Jan

17 days post op here, so it's fresh. My big things were rubber sole slippers and a bathrobe to cover up the horrible hospital gown. And yes, loose clothes to wear home. I didn't use anything else except my phone in between sleep/sip/walk/sleep. A couple things I wish I had known though! 

1. Eating is unbelievably overwhelming at first. Like - cry yourself to sleep over it. They really don't expect you to eat it, no matter what they say. If you can only do water, it's ok you won't die. 
2. Cold water hurts (some people). Moving to room temp helps a LOT to get it down. 
3. You could have some nausea post surgery unrelated to anesthesia that no meds will help. It WILL go away, even when you think you totally screwed up and doomed yourself to dry heave for life. 

I have only one piece of advice for you that I learned the hard way, and only wish someone had warned me ahead of time just so I'd be prepared!

IF you happen to be really low on potassium after surgery, and they make you drink a potassium supplement--it is the worst tasting thing I've ever had in my life.  I had to drink 3--count 'em--THREE approx. 2 oz. cups of it.  To put it bluntly (and as I informed the nurses), it tastes like super-salty sea water mixed with A.S.S.! 

I mean, I don't have first-hand knowledge of what that combo tastes like, but I it was the only thing I could imagine to compare it to.  Luckily I have a good sense of humor and could laugh through the experience, especially since my loving sisters filmed me and laughed, while I drank, made faces, and cursed lol.

So, just be forewarned.  There is no way to make it taste good, but at least they let me drink some water in between to wash the stuff down.  

My sincerest hope is that you don't have to experience it, but if you do--forewarned is forearmed!!!

Best of luck with your surgery, and see you on the other side!!