hello everyone...

Good Morning, Just looking around this morning for last minute tips before my surgery on wednesday. I am excited and ready to get this over with already and start my journey on the losing side. If anybody has any tips please share them with me. Lisa

I highly suggest taking some chapstick. It helped my lips stay dry and helped me not worry so much about not drinking for the first couple of days. Hugs Kim

Lisa - I don't know what kinds of wls you're having but here's my two cents. 1. Don't bother bringing your own jammies/robe. It's hard to get on past your IV, and you may have some drainage that can get on your stuff. Just stick with the hosptial gowns and save yours for when you get home. 2. Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself. If you're in pain - TELL THEM!! Don't try to tough it out. If you want to get up and walk - TELL THEM, I had to demand to get up my first day. I wanted out of that bed!!! 3. Bring a pillow for the ride home (if having open surgery) I had a long 2.5 hr ride home and the pillow saved me!! 4. TAKE YOUR PICTURE BEFORE YOU GO TO THE HOSPITAL!!! Do front, side and back view. I'm three months out and I'm amazed at the difference in just three months!!!! 5. TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS TOO!!! You can hide the information from everyone for now. But it is awesome to see how many inches you've lost along the journey. I've lost 79lbs and 42 inches!!!!! 6. Understand the rules your surgeon gives you and follow those rules. The first six months is the greatest time. Don't waste your time trying to skirt around the rules and see how much you can get away without dumping. Be dedicated to sticking to the plan, get your water, do your walking, and then do more walking!!! Good luck in your wls journey. It's a wonderful time. Enjoy the changes your gonna go through. It's sooooo cool to be the incredible shrinking woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best Wishes laurie

Hi, Lisa, I don't like to go around without a bra and I knew that I would want some support at the hospital even tho I didn't think I would be able to wear an actual bra. (And after surgery, I couldn't reach around me to fasten a bra and I didn't want something binding on). I took one of those loose cotton spagetti strap shirts with a built-in bra, no underwire. It was loose and comfortable and kept my breasts from flopping around everywhere. I also ended up having some extra visitors, and I could not have handled it w/o that undershirt/bra on. I also would not have wanted to walk all over the hospital without breast support. I also agree with everything the response above this post said, except I wanted my pjs at the hospital. They made me feel good and less like I was a patient. Good luck with your surgery! Becky

Hi Lisa, Also Good Luck with your upcoming surgery. Also, someone advised me to tell my doc to put a pillow under my legs because of my back & I forgot & my back hurt more than the surgery & for longer!!!!!! What they all say is true Feel ood Thinking of you, Sharon

Hi Lisa, congratulations and good luck. How very exciting. The one tip no one told me that would have really helped is to bring a heating blanket. I was FREEZING the entire four days there. I had them put 7/8 blankets on me and it became uncomfortable because they were so heavy. Some people in my support group got really hot and suggested bringing a battery operated fan. I guess every hosp. is different and every person's body temp. is different. But if you can swing brining both items you will be safe. Good luck

hi !! Good luck to you as well. this is a great new forum for us 30 somethings! I will be praying for you today !! good luck in your new life