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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