Question:
Pre-Op Gitters, anyone else have them...

Hi, I am having my surgery this coming Friday. All of a sudden I can't think on what to take or how to get ready. My mind is everywhere, anyone else have this happen to them this close to surgery? Nerves are getting the best of me it seems.    — missyheffelfinger (posted on March 4, 2007)


March 3, 2007
First of all, congrats on your upcoming surgery! Feeling nervous and anxious is perfectly normal. In my experience, less is more. Pack a small bag with toiletries, chap stick, lip gloss, slippers & reading material. Ask the nurse to give you two gowns because when you are up and walking you will have to take the IV with you and wearing a robe is cumbersome. That's all I needed and truthfully when I was in bed, I dozed off or was talking on the phone. I was in my room for less than 24 hours.
   — Sheri A.

March 3, 2007
I am going to echo what was already said. But I haven't had my surgery yet...mine will be on Tues March 6. I was told to expect to be in hospital until Fri. I am taking slippers, my own lotion, chap stick, my own toothbrush and toothpaste, a sample bottle with my own shampoo, a couple of books that are not of the same theme, a couple of fluff magazines just cause I don't know how alert I will be or comfortable. Would hate to read a book and then not remember what I read! I am also taking a small travel alarm with me because I have never been in a hospital bed where I could read the room clock when the drapes are closed. I am bringing clean undies, but wearing the loose fitting clothes I wore in, home. Oh I am not wearing a bra in either direction, it may not be comfortable wearing it home. Now comes the embarassing part, I am bringing my Cottonelle Pop-Ups and the aide I use in cleaning myself after using the bathroom. I know I can't reach myself now comfortably and I can't even imagine trying it with an incision! I know this sounds like a lot but I can get this all into a small backpack so it is not too bad. Good luck on your surgery! CarolK
   —  CarolynK

March 3, 2007
Well congrats to you and the other poster on your upcoming surgery. Your first day of surgery is going to be spent in bed most of the day until they get you up to walk you around. First off -- check to make sure you have the needed clear liquids in the house for the first week of surgery. That helped me not be so nervous knowing I had plenty of caffeine sugar free tea, jello and things like that. I knew I was going to be home alone so I didn't want to have to go out for anything. I had the lap RNY so they got me up that night -- my surgery as at 7:30 AM so about 12 - 13 hours late they got me out of bed and I walked once. The next day I started walking more because you will have to pass gas before you will be discharged. AS far as what to take --- ditto the first two posting. God Bless you both and we'll be thinking and praying about you. I'm 10 days out and on my way to get my exercise in for the day.
   — the7thdean

March 4, 2007
I agree with the other responses. I had my surgery 9 days ago. I took but didn't use any of my own pajamas(too hard with the IV's), but did drape my own robe over my shoulders. I took most of my toiletries, but the hospital also provided them too. I would suggest a pillow(preferably one of the body contouring ones) that you could put under your sides to be more comfortable in bed, and absolutely take lip balm. When I came to my room from recovery I felt like my lips were going to crack and bleed. Good luck on your surgery!
   — jlw0423

March 4, 2007
Again, congrats on the start of your new journey! In addition to the other posters.....I brought my iPod - it was nice to have some music, esp. when doing my walking on the ward. Chapstick is essential. A bathrobe, I used mine every time I got up to walk. When the IV is in, just drap it around your shoulder. Tennis shoes and socks. They of course give you walking socks, but after walking so much on the hard floor with no support, I got shin-splints. Once I put my tennis shoes on, I felt like I could walk miles. Word search. I couldn't concentrate on reading, not even a magazine, but the word search was the key to keep my mind active, but not overloaded. Depending upon your age and your cycle, bring a few feminine supplies - panty liners or what have you, I started spotting two days after surgery, my cycle went a bit hywire, but I understand a lot of women had the same thing happen. I would suggest bringing your own supplies, as you know the hospital will give you kotex the size of your head, LOL. I had my surgery on 2/15/07.... :)
   — jammerz

March 4, 2007
I had my surgery on February 16th, and was totally overwelmed in the operating room. My mistake was not visiting the room prior to the proceedure. When I was being moved from my bed to the operating table, I had both arms strapped in an outward position. I found myself not in control and even mentioned to the OR Nurse that I felt like I was in the death chamber...ecks! Many things were going through my mind such as if this was the right thing to do. Next thing I knew, I was be awaken by the nurse in the recovery room. This was by far the most scariest thing I had done in my 43 years. But, like everything else it turned out fine.
   — DMAC1963

March 4, 2007
Let me tell you, I was jittery right up to the very end and you need to know that the anesthesiologist can give you a bit of sedative so you are out of it before you even hit the operating room. I, like the previous writer, realllly don't like the part of them getting you settled in for surgery with the arms and all. I actually just had my surgery last Wednesday and when the anesthesiologist walked into the pre-op room where I was said, "wow, you have a look of terror in your eyes." When I told him I really got anxious at this stage of the game (I've had surgery before) he took my medical history and then whipped out his surrenge (sp?) and injected a nice little concoction into my IV. I went night night really fast. Next thing I knew I was in recovery. For me personally, this was perfect. All that said to say, if your too anxious the day of surgery, communicate with the doc and he can fix you up and make it easier. :-)
   — tammymarsell

March 4, 2007
Congrats. You are going to be fine. All these posts are right on target. Do what you think will be comfortable for you. The chapstick is a definite. I didn't have any with me and my hospital had the blistick kind. I don't like it so I asked for vaseline and they had a small packet of that. Can't believe right after surgery I had the mind to think of that. Make sure the clothes you take to wear home are comfortable and large as your belly will be swollen. The less pinching the better. I ended up not zipping my pants up and just wearing my top over them. Good thing the top was extra long and my underware was big enough. lol. It takes a few days for the swelling to go down. Don't be frightened by that. If you have had any special work done on your teeth like crowns or caps ask for a mouth guard. They put it in after you are out and it protects your teeth during surgery. You know they do that airway thing. Well I can't think of anything else that the others have not already said. Just know that what ever you are feeling it will turn out not to be as bad as you thought. Good luck and God Bless.
   — njkbutton

March 4, 2007
The most important things I brought that are mentioned here are my own maxi pads (I started the day after surgery) and chapstick. The one thing I don't see that was AWESOME to have was a saline nasil spray. I was so dry after surgery that I couldn't get any air in through my sinuses and I wear a c-pap machine so it was much needed to open the sinuses up. Best of luck on your surgery. I just had mine this past Wed and feel great. I was scared too. You will do fine.
   — KristineMarie

March 5, 2007
CONGRATS on getting this far! You are totaly normal being nervous. I was so upset laying on the gernie waiting to go into the OR. I wanted to jump up and run down the hallway, I had to make myself stay there. I started crying on the way in the OR I was a BIG BABY! I agree with what everyone else has said, good slippers for those walks up and down the hallway and chapstick. Good luck to you!
   — Rebecca Johnson

March 5, 2007
My response is less an answer than a feeling of empathy as I am awaiting my surgery in the next few weeks and feel the same! I'm also at the is this the right or wrong thing to do stage. Stress, stress, stress! Good luck!
   — seeinglessofme

March 5, 2007
I am glad to read some of the responses. Mine is scheduled for the 12th. My anxiety at this point is insurance approval as that has not come through. I am still in that delirious excited phase and will hope that lasts until I have my true 'last supper' from what I understand will be Saturday. good luck hang in there, we will do awesome!!
   — georgiegirl8

March 7, 2007
CONGRATULATIONS.....I HAD A LAP BAND IN 2002 AND RNY FEB 2005 AND SEPT 2006 LOWER BODY LIFT AND FEB 2007 INNER THEIGH AND BREAST LIFT......I LEAVE THING IN THE HANDS OF GOD AND MY SURGEAONS....ALL MY SURGERIES WENT BETTER THAN EXPECTED SO DON'T WAIST YOUR ENERGY TO WORRY......AND IF YOU DO HAVE PAIN ASK FOR DRUGS YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE BRAVE...I NEVER USED ALL MY PAIN PILLS ON ANY OF MY SURGERIES....HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOU FOR A FEW DAYS.....ALTHOUGH I SHOWERED MYSELF THE VERY NEXT MORNING.......THEY HAD TROUBLE KEEPING ME DOWN AFTER THE FIRST WEEK....AND PLEASE GO TO A SUPPORT GROUP AFTERWARDS IT REALLY HELPS....I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYS.......HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU LATER....RELAX RELAX RELAX
   — omathea22




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