Question:
ANY TIPS ON PREPARING FOR SURGERY

I am having my surgery in 18 days and I am getting nervous!! Any tips on what i should bring or what I should do to help prepare myself for the big day? All responses greatly appreciated!!! Thank you.    — ncgal (posted on July 23, 2001)

July 23, 2001
Hi Michelle, the 3 biggest things that helped my recovery were 1. Deep breathing exercises (breath in and hold for a few seconds then breathe out slowly like you're blowing up a balloon) -- after surgery, they want you to breathe and by doing this, yes it does hurt but it gets you to cough and get rid of phlegm. 2. Walking for about 15 minutes daily -- helped with my breathing, made me feel better and made it more of a habit to continue after surgery. 3. Asking for prayer -- I didn't tell everyone exactly what I was having but I did say I was having surgery and to keep me in their prayers. All 3 were great for me. As for what I needed in the hospital, I packed a bag with a lot of stuff and really only wanted the Chapstick. Good luck!
   — Kimberly L.

July 23, 2001
If you are going to share a room, take a portable CD player, just in case you have to tune-out an annoying roommate. Take plenty of reading material. They'll have you up walking; so, take your own slippers and a robe. I took makeup, my favorite cologne and earrings....so that I would feel like myself when I had visitors. I took fashion magazines. It was fun to dream about the clothes I would be able to wear a year from the date of my surgery! Try to spend the next few days envisioning the wonderful changes that are in store for you. Think positive thoughts.
   — [Anonymous]

July 23, 2001
Michelle..I see that you are having a LAP RNY...I had mine on 1/16/01 and I didn't need anything for the short hosp stay....I didn't want for anything and didn't feel like reading or anything like that...the stay was so quick(surgery day, 1 day in hosp, and home the next).(LAP RNY 1/16/01 Down 85lbs)
   — Debora H.