Bariatric Buddy
tips for hospital/first few weeks home after surgery
i was just looking for tips online to see what helpful stuff i could find about your first few weeks and the hospital stay. i know i need to get a mini fridge and a small fan for the hospital. i sleep with a fan year round. anything anyone else could suggest would be great. my bathroom is upstairs so i'll be stuck up there until i can do steps multiple times a day. and no recliner downstairs either. just thinking.
Hello;
Here is what helped me:
1. Buy all of your vitamins and protein powders and shakes prior to having the sugery. You will not feel like shopping after the surgery so it's best to have this done prior to your surgery.
2. Buy a small amount of groceries for your liquid diet. Broth, yogurt, cream soups, puddings, cottage cheese, etc. The reason for the small amount is two fold; a) you won't be able to consume a lot and b) your tastes will change. I bought a sugar free, lactose free ice cream and found that I could not handle it. I now eat cottage cheese, which before I could never stomach. It's very odd.
3. Drink as much water as possible. Before the surgery and after. I'm not sure what stage you are at, but if you are on the Optifast stage which occurs prior to surgery make sure to consume LOTS of water, in addition to the Optifast. If you are dehydrated prior to the surgery, it can cause complications afterwards. I'm almost two weeks post-op and the reason for most of my pain is due to dehydration.
4. Ice chips can be a wonderful friend. In the hospital your mouth will be incredibly dry. I was only allowed to have 30 cc of liquid in a period of one hour. The ice chips were considered 5 cc's and provided great relieft to me.
5. Bring chapstick. Your lips will dry out something fierce.
6. Move as much as possible. Even if it's only a few steps at a time. It will be the last thing you feel like doing, but in the end will be the best thing for your recovery. The process of going to the washroom took almost 40 minutes at a go (my bed was even beside the bathroom), but every time I went through the process, it became a little easier.
7. Coughing will hurt, however it's a necessary evil. Sneezing sucks even more because your hands are trying to figure out the best way to help and inevitably you will run out of time. Coughing brings up the gunk and will help prevent pnemonia. Just breathe, hold a pillow to you and pray for strength. LOL.
I'm by no means an expert and I'm still trying to figure things out, but these are my pearls of wisdom so for LOL. Perhaps others may be able to give you more advice. Good Luck.
Here is what helped me:
1. Buy all of your vitamins and protein powders and shakes prior to having the sugery. You will not feel like shopping after the surgery so it's best to have this done prior to your surgery.
2. Buy a small amount of groceries for your liquid diet. Broth, yogurt, cream soups, puddings, cottage cheese, etc. The reason for the small amount is two fold; a) you won't be able to consume a lot and b) your tastes will change. I bought a sugar free, lactose free ice cream and found that I could not handle it. I now eat cottage cheese, which before I could never stomach. It's very odd.
3. Drink as much water as possible. Before the surgery and after. I'm not sure what stage you are at, but if you are on the Optifast stage which occurs prior to surgery make sure to consume LOTS of water, in addition to the Optifast. If you are dehydrated prior to the surgery, it can cause complications afterwards. I'm almost two weeks post-op and the reason for most of my pain is due to dehydration.
4. Ice chips can be a wonderful friend. In the hospital your mouth will be incredibly dry. I was only allowed to have 30 cc of liquid in a period of one hour. The ice chips were considered 5 cc's and provided great relieft to me.
5. Bring chapstick. Your lips will dry out something fierce.
6. Move as much as possible. Even if it's only a few steps at a time. It will be the last thing you feel like doing, but in the end will be the best thing for your recovery. The process of going to the washroom took almost 40 minutes at a go (my bed was even beside the bathroom), but every time I went through the process, it became a little easier.
7. Coughing will hurt, however it's a necessary evil. Sneezing sucks even more because your hands are trying to figure out the best way to help and inevitably you will run out of time. Coughing brings up the gunk and will help prevent pnemonia. Just breathe, hold a pillow to you and pray for strength. LOL.
I'm by no means an expert and I'm still trying to figure things out, but these are my pearls of wisdom so for LOL. Perhaps others may be able to give you more advice. Good Luck.
Sara, most hospitals have fans available, check with yours. Otherwise a small fan will be great. Pack light, change of underwear and chapstick should do it. Oh, yes and slip on slippers. I had the hardest time reaching my feet to put on slippers after surgery.
You will not need the mini fridge for the hosptial, you will just be sipping and not much of that either. The nurses will get you cool things to sip on. We are talking an ounce or two an hour will be all that you will tolerate.
At home an insulated coffee mug will keep things warm or cool. You will be taking the stairs before you know it. Walking the steps is great exercise too.
You will not need the mini fridge for the hosptial, you will just be sipping and not much of that either. The nurses will get you cool things to sip on. We are talking an ounce or two an hour will be all that you will tolerate.
At home an insulated coffee mug will keep things warm or cool. You will be taking the stairs before you know it. Walking the steps is great exercise too.
Don't plan on lying around after surgery btw--you need to be up and walking every hour. My hospital stay is only one night, some people stay 1-3 nights. You'll be up and running on Day 4, at least that's what my doc says. No pushing, pulling, lifting, or heavy exercise for 8 weeks. Don't forget to brink a book--the hospital can be boring!
From my experience, you will want to take a robe with you. A nice soft comfy robe. I froze after surgery for days on end. As for being taken care of afterward? I was drove home from the hospital and by myself as soon as I got home.
Remember to walk walk walk and sip sip sip. It's the best advise.
The hospital will supply everything you need. I took a magazine and book but never opened them. I slept as much as possible and walked.
Good Luck
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