Question:
What should I be doing, buying, preparing etc. before surgery in 4 weeks?

I am 4 weeks from my surgery date. I am a single mom with 2 small boys 8 and 3, and I want to be sure I am prepared. I want to be sure that I plan for me and for them to make this transition easier. What kind of things should I be sure to have? Suggested foods? Blender? After care items?? anything that anyone can tell me to help make the weeks immediately following surgery would be helpful. I dont want to be caught off guard. Please e-mail me with your words of wisdom, tricks to survival, essetials etc thank you thank you thank you thanky ou    — BARBARA W. (posted on February 26, 2001)

February 27, 2001
I also have my surgery date 1 month from now. I have bought various protein drinks to taste now. That way I do not gag on the gross ones after surgery. I also spent my tax return on a recliner chair for post-op comfort, and started getting water delivered to the house. I know I will have to drink water like crazy to stay hydrated. I would consider making sure that you have comfortable clothes that are easy to take on and off after surgery. I bought some cotton shirts that button up the front. I do not know if raising my hands over my head will be easy or difficult following the surgery. And the final thing I did was buy three new bras that have high front closures. That way I won't aggrivate the inscion site with my bras. I hope this was some what helpfull. Monica
   — monica C.

February 27, 2001
You will be surprised how little food you consume after surgery Don't over buy... buy a couple of each....soups campbells, a protien drink you can stand try a few..frozen popsicles...sugar free fudge pops will be good sugar freen jello and puddings ..skim milk in case your lactose intolerant crackers ( Ritz and saltines) .. A recliner is a good to have but not absolutely nessesary you can recline on your couch also ...with pillows placed around you.. buy easy to fix food for the rest of the family..your hubby can fix dinner for a few weeks ...will make him appreciate your dinners after you up and about yes a hand held blender is a good thing to have it will get easier each day.. and after a few days you will be able to go to the store... good luck Kathy OPen RNY distal 11-1-00 -63 pounds
   — Kathleen M.

February 27, 2001
Be careful what you stockpile. What tastes good to you now may taste repulsive post-op. If you don't have a blender, you don't an osterizer-type or even the white molded-plastic electric stirrer. They're both hard to clean. I'd recommend a smaller stirrer with a plain metal rod with the propeller at the end. Your powdered drinks all turn to pudding consistency and the bigger ones are harder to rinse.
   — [Anonymous]