Question:
What can I expect the first few weeks after surgery
What should I buy for home so that I can reduce discomfort after my surgery? What do I need to bring to the hospital with me? Scheduled for August 30, 2010, RNY GB. — Ptwilkerson3 (posted on July 30, 2010)
July 30, 2010
Well you should make sure you have pain medication. All your protein and
food that you can eat. I would buy some stuff for constipation and for gas.
I had both after surgery and still do sometimes. Lots of water too. As far
as the hospital I stayed in my nitie from the hospital. It was much easier
when they had to check you. Of course I was in the hospital for 16 days but
thats another story. Make sure you have slippers. My hospital gave me
treaded socks to use. You bring reading material but you may never use it.
You should have a tv to watch. My hospital also supplied me with shampoo,
mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrush. comb, soap and pretty well everything I
needed even though I had brought my own stuff. So basically bring your
essentials. I hope this helps. Good luck with your surgery. I am almost 7
months out from RNY have lost 90lbs. Now people think I look anorexic. I
was 199 now I'm 109 went from an 16 to 18 to a size 4 to 6.
— cuppaloopy
July 30, 2010
Congrats on surgery date!!! I also have my surgery scheduled for that day.
Just like you I have asked numerous of questions and hope people dont tire
of me quick. This is a great question and thanks for the post. Good luck
with your journey.
— mperez77
July 30, 2010
I only needed pain medication for about 4-5 days. I didn't have any
problems with constipation (well one 4 day hitch) or gas. Finding enough
protein drinks that I could tolerate was hard for me...I did o.k. the 1st
2-3 wks, then I couldn't tolerate the ones I had been doing o.k. on after
that. Every surgeon has a different eating plan...from liquids only to
pureed from the start. So have a variety of whatever foods you will need.
I got a lot of popsickles and puddings...didn't eat them. I stayed with
soups mainly and eggs. (We were sent home on pureed diet.) I did fine
post-op except for this protein issue. Now I am doing fine with Chia Tea
protein drink, 2 a day, the rest regular food. Good luck, if you have any
other questions, be glad to tell you my experience.
I wore the same outfit (loose fitting pants and shirt) in as I wore out. I
didn't bring a thing with me to the hospital except my cell phone. They
had everything else. Just bring the personal items you think you will need.
Good luck.
— Jane W.
July 30, 2010
A trusty old heating pad. My heating pad help wake up my GI tract after
surgery and with the pain. I was off of pain meds on day 3.
— md131s
July 30, 2010
Hi Paula,
Barbara pretty much summed it up as what to bring to the hospital. I agree
with her about the protein, find one you like, it is so important to get
your protein in. Get SF jello too. Also, for ME, I went to the grocery
store everyday to walk, I live in FL and it is hot and humid.
I am almost one year out, and I must say it has been a rough road, but
worth it. I am finally feeling better and I have stopped throwing up thank
the good Lord!!!!!!
I also stayed in the hospital as long as you could. One thing I wish I
would have rented, was one of those chair that have an electric lift on it,
I was not able to sleep in my bed, I had sciatica. I was miserable for
many nights.
— FSUMom
July 30, 2010
I forgot to tell you this, one of my main concerns is; constipation, I have
always suffered from it but now it is compounded. So I am on a regime of
stool softeners and such.
— FSUMom
July 30, 2010
Paula, another thing, if you have support groups affiliated with your
surgeon's group, I suggest you go, I go monthly, sometimes bi-monthly.
— FSUMom
July 30, 2010
I found my hubby to be of great comfort and assistance those first few
days. Even laproscopic surgery leaves you pretty sore in the tummy area and
getting up/down out of bed can be difficult. Having a helping hand really
does help. Some folks find sleeping in a recliner is more comfortable than
their bed. Most of all, WALK. Walk as much as possible. It helps get rid
of the surgical gas. I had it trapped in my upper right shoulder area for a
couple of days. Best wishes to you for a successful surgery!
— Arkin10
July 30, 2010
Everything that everyone is suggesting is great. Pain medications due cause
constipation, and though it would be nice to bring, most hospitals and
doctors prohibit you from bringing in any prescription or over the counter
medications, this also goes for vitamins and herbal supplements. Talk to
your doctor about any medications that you currently take. He will have to
write orders for any medications. It would be good to have some type of
laxative and stool softener for when you get home. I had a much more
complicated procedure than most, I had my entire stomach removed, so I had
a rough time. Sugar free popsicles helped me a lot. The last thing that I
wish someone had told me about was a hair, skin and nails vitamin
supplement. Puritans Pride website has a great one. Lots of people go
through phases of loosing lots of hair. I lost over half of mine. I am
taking the supplements now and it is getting better. Of course, I am not a
doctor, so be sure to talk to your doctor or nutritionist before taking
anything. The hospitals do provide you with just about anything you could
need, oh except for chapstick. If you have any concerns call the hospitals
and see what they provide you with. I did not bring anything but my cell
phone and my Nintendo DS.
Good luck, this is the start of a new healthy and skinny life.
— dowens67
July 30, 2010
I just had my surgery on April 22 of this year so it is has only been 3 and
a half months for me. I had to take the pain meds for maybe a day or two
out of the hospital. I was only in the hospital for two days.
I had to stay on liquid diet for four week post op and found soup, like
tomato bisque was so good and I added proti brand tomato soup to the canned
to up the protein. I also did this with the other kinds and has protein
drinks, soups, and I did have the high protein, low sugar/carb yogurts. I
still can't do meat much but put the unflavored protein powder in shakes
and other things I eat. Follow the Dr orders and you will be fine. I have
NO regrets at all.
— tfqh99
July 31, 2010
Paula, I am 10 days post-op for a ds and I agree with all the advice of
others. I want to encourage you to be prepared for the drainage tube. In
the hospital, my tube got blocked with a clot and I leaked around the exit
site. One of the great nurses at the hospital recognized immediately what
was happening and cleared the clot. It was uncomfortable. They removed my
drain on discharge and then the fun began. I leaked like a sieve. You may
want to have some extra gauze pads and extra absorbant surgical dressings.
Waterproof bandages were very helpful when I wanted to shower because they
seal on all four sides. It was not fun but it is getting better and it just
a blip on the radar at this point. Good Luck. Keep in touch.
— hampsonbennett
August 1, 2010
Hi Paula: I had RNY GBS on 12/29/09 and was out of the hospital within 36
hours and on my way home. Therefore, my experience is likely different
from some others b/c I found I brought far too much! I could have just as
easily gone home in the same clothes I came in wearing and of course I had
grand illusions of showering and feeling like a million bucks, but with the
anesthesia dragging on you the next day (which is likely)--you simply
don't. And seriously? Who cares? Likely your family and possibly your
kids (like mine) will be coming to pick you up and we all know they have
seen you at your worse before. So like one writer posted, just bring what
you might be comfortable with needing (if you read, a book or magazines),
perhaps your cell phone if you'd rather use that than the hospital phone to
call friends or relatives, and of course I do suggest a TV to watch. Later
the evening of my surgery I actually used my tellie to fall asleep and
block out the noise from the general floor -- although I had a private room
-- I just never sleep as well when not at home. Again, everyone is
different and your surgical experience will likely be your own -- no matter
what us "old timers" tell you. My biggest suggestion for you
right now is to focus on the positive and what this life change is going to
mean for the new "skinnier" you. You will be tired for days,
perhaps even months afterwards (yes, I still struggle with the lethargy and
I am 7-mos. out), so again the journey will be your own. As for food and
nourishment postop -- I highly recommend you follow the instructions of
your surgeon and nutritionist. Every doctor has their own plan and I can
honestly say they expect their patients to follow it to the letter.
Otherwise if complications or problems should arise how will they be able
to help you effectively if you don't follow what it is they recommend? As
one last thought since it appears no one else may have recommended it here,
talk to your surgeon's office and see if, in addition to, they have a WLS
support group that provides postop angels for their patients. You can then
sign up to be assigned an angel who has had your specific type of surgery
and if assigned timely you may even have opportunity to speak to him/her
BEFORE your actual surgery. My WLS support group makes certain the angels
even do a postop hospital visit (if the pt. is feeling up to it) and
depending upon your need and the committment of your angel (as well as how
well you both click!) you may find yourself with a lifelong friend as well.
In any regard best of luck and it won't be long now before you realize you
are one of us -- "a loser for life!" Many blessings.
— momeego
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