Question:
What exactly should I have to at my house when I get home from the
hospital. How can I be prepared? — Pilar E. (posted on May 15, 2002)
May 15, 2002
I was provided with a list of things to get. It basically included sugar
free jello and pudding; juice (100% only); broth (or boullion cubes to make
broth); condensed soups; cream soups; cream of wheat; grits; mashed
potatoes; applesauce (natural w/no sugar added); canned fruit (i.e. peaches
or pears - natural w/no sugar added). This is just a start. I know this is
what is in my pantry right now waiting for May 28th. Good luck and happy
shopping!
— Sue H.
May 15, 2002
I found that one of the best things to have at home right after surgery is
sugar-free popsicles. Along with everything the previous poster said.
Best of luck!!
— Cory F.
May 15, 2002
I am 3-weeks post-op and I would recommend the following for your first
couple of weeks: Light Yogurt, Lowfat Cottage Cheese (small curd), various
flavor extracts for the Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast, egg
beaters, Sugar free Fudgsicles/Popscicles, sugar free jello and sugar free
pudding (make it with skim milk). You may also want to pick up a small
carton of Lactaid milk just in case your tummy doesn't like the milk right
away. I used it for a few days and was pleasantly surprised at how good it
was.
I also want to highly suggest that you bring a small personal sized fan to
the hopital with you. It was the one thing that I forgot to pack and the
one thing I truly needed! It was so hot in my room that even my family
dreaded being there! LOL Just my 2 cents...
— pam29922
May 15, 2002
When is your surgery??!! Best of luck to you. I am 2 weeks post op and
found the basics for me were nonfat cottage cheese, unsweetened applesauce,
100% pulpfree orange juice, V-8 (my treat...I couldn't wait for "snack
time"), and soups which I had made, blended and frozen before hand in
small serving sizes. I made lentil soup, split pea w/ham, and turkey
vegetable. They were really good and less salt than prepared. Good
luck!!! The surgery was a breeze for me, recuperation has been great!
— Brenda A.
May 15, 2002
I highly recommend taking great care of the wound sites (no matter if you
have an open or lap procedure done). It's something that none of my
manuals talked about nor did my doctor but I highly, highly recommend it.
My sister is an RN and took care of my wounds up to 3 times a day - she
would sterlize my surroundings ( nothing special - just a nice, clean set
up), put on her gloves and cut out small 1 x 1 guaze pads and make a stack
of them. I had a lap. RNY on the 9th of April - each day, she would first
use peroxide to clean off the wound site and drain tube sites - she would
always stress that peroxide shouldn't be used alone ever because sometimes
it can do more harm then good - so the first swipe was always with peroxide
and a clean little 1 x 1 each time. The other 2 or 3 swipes was all on a
clean 1 x 1 but using distilled water (never tap) right after it. She'd
then use another clean gauze and paper tape because it was less irritating
for me around the site until they started to heal. I am absolutely
convinced this is part of the reason that I felt hardly nothing when it
came time to take the drains out or the staples removed. They have already
healed up and are hardly noticeable. I would also think about cooking some
pre-cooked meals, if you have a family. A microwave and them nuking their
meals are a lot less hard on your 'head hunger' if your not smelling
everything their making. Nuking it only takes a few minutes and they can
always eat in a different room to make things easier. If your on a clear
diet, get jello's that you like. Popcycles, the same thing - I mean, it's
boring as all get out but at least you can have something you like.
Chicken broth and vegi broth never tasted so good to me. If you like
distilled water better than tap, have that on hand. You'll be on a ton of
vitamins and a few med's and that will take some getting use to - if your
doctor gives you iron, have a little bit of OJ on hand to help wash it down
- it's only a Nyquil medicine cap full and the Vitamin C helps the iron to
be absorbed. What else? Comfortable clothing. A nice recliner chair or
something like it and some tender loving care. Remember that it gets
better with each passing day...it really does. Best of blessings on your
upcoming surgery.
— Lisa J.
May 15, 2002
Have extra pillows on your bed, two behind your head, one under each arm
and one under your knees! Have some liquid meals, like High Protein Boost
in cans in the fridge. Have some fat free pudding cups, crystal light
drinks, popsicles, fudgesicles, cans of progresso soups that you can open
and blend and then heat in the microwave to eat little at a time, and some
instant mashed potatoes to make using double the water it makes a great
potato soup.
— blank first name B.
May 15, 2002
I agree with the last post, lots of pillows, the TV near by with your fav.
movies/ your remote ready to go! Fav. books and projects. This is your time
to relax (if poss.) and to heal. Good Luck with your surgery!!
— Jena C.
May 15, 2002
Hi : Besides having the kitchen stocked with all the right foods as the
others suggested...What to wear immediately after surgery - what goes on
easy without alot of pulling and stretching? I went and bought 2
mu-mu's/caftans...wore it home minus undies and bra - looked great and no
one knew...practically lived in them for 3 weeks...if anyone stopped over I
looked dressed but could easily make a dash to the john if necessary
without pulling down pants etc. If you have Open it is difficult to wear
bra and panties over the staples etc. other suggestion is loose jogging
pants or sweats and big tops. Difficulty wiping oneself? I used a portable
bidet....got myself an empty water bottle with a pull up top...while doing
my business I let the hot water run and filled up the bottle...squirted my
fanny clean with that nice warm water and only had to pat dry - fresh as a
daisy without alot of bending and pulling on the incision. Personal
hygiene is very important to healing...besides wound care just brushiing
hair, teeth and a little make up works wonders... I suggest a hair cut pre
op - easier to take care of. Make sure your recovery area is ready for when
you get home...I had a recliner ready with a telephone and phone book,
kleenix, empty bag for trash, books, magazines, tv remote etc. I had
everything at my finger tips without having to stress the incision. Same
goes for stocking the kitchen with the needed supplies. 5- I kept a hard
back chair by my bed to help me get in and out...oh don't forget the needed
pillow for the car ride home and post op sneezing... Hope these ideas help.
Diane Z.
— Diane Z.
May 30, 2003
A blow dryer comes in handy for drying the area under your belly. It also
feels soothing, just make sure you don't leave the air on there TOO long or
you could dry things out! Michelle from Iowa
— michelle57
Click Here to Return