??'s for all you WLS vets out there...or those preparing for surgery...

I know yall post-ops have a wealth of info....what do I NEED to have to start preparing for my surgery on November 13th? ~What should I start buying right now (other than protein powder)? ~What should I have in my hospital bag? ~What should I have stocked in my fridge and pantry for after surgery? ~What was an absolute neccessity during recover? Thanks in advance!! Dana

Hi Dana, Debbi usually has the best what to bring list. I can tell you from my experiance the things I could not have lived with out. * My pillow * My own PJ's * Slippers with rubber bottoms * Chap Stick * Magazines * Ladies Products (don't ask... someone told me that when I was pre-op... I had PCOS and never got T.O.M but after surgery... sure enough) * Nice smelling shampoo and body wash (made me feel more at home and relaxd) * Lotion * My son's teady bear... He gave it to me and it really helped! Try to find somone that is having surgery the same day or around the same day as you so you can have a walking budy. I Met Nancy J and Colleen that way and it was the best thing for us all! As for the home... * Tylenol, liquid until you are given the okay by Dr. * Soups... lost of diffrent soups... with high protein, but that are blended with no chunks * Propel * Movies (you should try to keep yourself busy... the one thing that wasn't told to me that I wish was... I was depressed 2 weeks after surgery. I didn't realize how it would bother me. You figure you go from being in the hospital where people are around you and taking care of you 24/7... then you come home... your all alone, well i was, and can't eat so you can't use food as a comfort that many of us have, not to mention that you have a new tummy that you are not quite sure how to work yet. It takes time... you will have the "why did I do this" or " what did I do" feelings... they will go away.. give it time and the depression is normal. Hope I have given you some help. Hugs, Chrissy

Buying now - I bought all my vitamins and suppliments before surgery and began taking them a month before hand. Hospital bag - pillow, something comfy to go home in, chapstick, face cloths, lotion and CELL PHONE!! Out of everything I brought thats all I used. Fridge/Pantry - I bought everything I needed for the two week liquid post-op so I wouldnt have to go to the store. My FAV thing was the SF ice pops!! Necessity during recovery - friends and family! That was about it for me... I had a very smooth surgery and extremely smooth recovery. Best luck to you!

Hi there! First off, congrats on making this step. Let's see, I bought some protein powder, soup, SF popsicles, SF Jello, SF pudding and all my vitamins ahead of time. The popsicles were the best. I think b/c they are cold, it felt really good in my new tummy. To the hospital, I took my bathrobe, some comfy pj's, slippers, my toothbrush and other necessities. Oh, and I as well got my "monthly friend" while I was in the hospital. You know, b/c you really need that on top of everything else you're going through! I wasn't allowed to shower in the hospital and I was so out of it that I jus****ched TV and talked on the phone the whole time. During recovery, definately have some movies or something fun to do. I was off for 4 weeks and even though it was nice not to go to work, I was bored out of my mind after about 2 weeks. Also, I would get some Mederma cream for your scars. It works really well to lighten them up. I used Neosporin on my incisions once the tape fell off, especially on my drain site. That was just nasty! I hope this was helpful. Good luck with the surgery!! Danielle