Question:
What things should I buy to be prepared for when I come home after surgery?

   — losriosgirl (posted on March 16, 2010)


March 16, 2010
Rent a recliner with a remote that lifts the chair up and down. They have them at Rent-A-Center. It was difficult for me to sleep in my bed and get in and out of bed so I spent a lot of time in the recliner. It made it easier to stand
   — hubbyshoney

March 16, 2010
flavored waters, sf jello and pudding, instant mashed potatoes, protein supplements/powders, soups, sf popsicles, stool softners, extra pillows to prop yourself up on and that's all i can think of right now. hope this helps
   — RNlvnCARSON

March 16, 2010
make sure you have the nurse give you pain meds before you go I only had a half hour drive home and it hurt!!!I am 6 days post op and when you are in the car and you fat wiggles like jello like mine did !! it hurts! if you are going to have a g-tube inserted I applied warm compresses helped with the spasms.DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR PAIN MEDS !MAKE SURE YOU WALK MOVE AND DEEP BREATH!!GOOD LUCK WITH THE SURGERY !!1
   — jillclr795

March 16, 2010
These are all great ideas. I thank you all for your help, encouragement and ideas. Thanks again!!
   — losriosgirl

March 16, 2010
what a good question!I wish somebody would told me gass x.Good luck,and God Bless!Ruth
   — rosesrbl

March 16, 2010
I was not able to stomach much at all, be prepared to have a selection of different kinds of protien foods when you are ready, I strongly recommend finding a protien drink you can handle.
   — sismargie

March 16, 2010
I agree about renting a recliner....I wish I would have thought about it. I went a week so uncomfortable and dreamed of having the recliner. I also lived on water with ice and pop-sicles sugar free of course. Good Luck!
   — Brandi0223

March 16, 2010
All your replies were right on the money and Stephanie, I am so glad to see you're planning for success. This is not going to be an easy road I will tell you, but it is so worth it. Remember to sip sip sip, I like the SF flavored drinks. Make sure you find a protein shake you really like. I use Max Protein from GNC, very low in sugar and they are good. I am so glad I found OH, so many well informed folks! Good luck!
   — FSUMom

March 16, 2010
All your replies were right on the money and Stephanie, I am so glad to see you're planning for success. This is not going to be an easy road I will tell you, but it is so worth it. Remember to sip sip sip, I like the SF flavored drinks. Make sure you find a protein shake you really like. I use Max Protein from GNC, very low in sugar and they are good. I am so glad I found OH, so many well informed folks! Good luck!
   — FSUMom

March 16, 2010
Believe it or not, a package of baby wipes. I wasn't allowed to shower for a couple of days. They helped me to feel freshened up. If you have an open surgery instead of laproscopic you might want to consider getting a freedom wand which is a personal hygiene aid. As far as protein supplements go be sure to send off for samples from everyone that offers them before investing in tubs of the stuff. You likely will find your tastes to have changed significantly after surgery. I still can't tolerate the Unjury "unflavored" brand...lol. Good luck on your surgery!
   — Arkin10

March 16, 2010
I would invest in a Magic Bullet to grind up food. Do not buy the off brand of this product. As you get what you pay for. I would not invest in a lot of protein drinks till after the surgery as you taste change. I still have protein drinks that I bought before the surgery that I can not drink to this day. My friend got me some of those plastic little cups that hold 1 oz and filled them with food that I could have and I kept them in the freeze and pulled them out as I needed them. This was a life saver. I also bought baby spoons to use and still use them to this day to eat with. Small tiny bowls are also helpful. And remember to walk, walk, walk and when you are tired of walking, walk some more. There will be a time when you ask yourself did I do the right thing. Yes you did. You just need to make it through the recovery time. It is not easy at times but well worth it in the long run. Good luck. My prayers are with you.
   — dsquire

March 16, 2010
There is so much to consider. I have begun the "packing" process and feel; worried, excited, nervous as well as emotional and out of control. I feel like the wait for approval was unbareable, only to find that this wait, for actual surgery feels like a life time. I am so grateful for all the support, encouragement and hand holding as I begin my new transformation. As I told my husband, " I am bringing sexy back!" and I can't wait!!
   — losriosgirl

March 17, 2010
I found that after I was home about a week I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive on the tape and also the steri strips.. The nurse told me to go out and get hydrocortizone cream (not benedril cream) and liquid benedril.. I so wished I had that at the house already. I only mention this because as I began to tell others about it I found out a lot of them had the same reactions.. the itching is horrible and I was much better and more comfortable after using the above items.. make sure to buy SF popsicles too.. they help when you can't sip sip sip another drop.. and they count as 2 oz of liquid.. I would also suggest caffiene free tea.. I use herbal which is naturally caffiene free.. sometimes the pouch does not like cold so you can make a cup of warm tea to sip on.. and other times it don't like warm so you can drink cold stuff.. Crystal light is also another life saver instead of plain water.. remember that the popsicles,crystal light, tea, and even the protein drinks all count as your liquids.. make sure you get in your liquids..and walk walk walk.. I hope your surgery is uneventful and can't wait to welcome you to the loosers bench..
   — Teresa S.

March 17, 2010
Have your protien shakes ready, sugar free jello, and your chewables ready to go.
   — Chris O.

March 17, 2010
Cream of wheat, SF pudding, Gas X strips
   — Lalaredd

March 18, 2010
Have all your vitamins, protein and meds ready to go, not everyone has the same experience, however this way you will be prepared, have all chores and laundry caught up. I never had to take pain meds or sleep anywhere other than my own bed. I had surgery on friday and was home monday, and was out of the house tuesday.
   — MarthaJ0110

March 18, 2010
It's so amazing to read all these surgery experiences and see the differences. I had RNY on Monday, showered on Wed, while still in the hospital. Came home on Wed. had no problems getting in/out of bed or sleeping, or going up/down stairs. Drove myself to doctor on Thursday for follow up appt. Went out to the movies on Friday. Returned to work on Monday 7 days post op. I wonder if it's the surgeon that makes a big difference?
   — rkurquhart

March 20, 2010
I was very nauseated after surgery and on the third day I began to use a suction wand to keep saliva out of my mouth. I had to stay 6 xtra days and all the aspartame stuff made me sick. Splenda was ok. My doctor let me shower 2 days after surgery and I didn't have any trouble walking at all. Be prepared for the not so routine stuff so if it happens you will be ok and if all goes great then you are so happy. Be sure and have your family support and not get discouraged because you may feel bad for a few days or weeks. It will be worth it in the long run.
   — tandalyncarter




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