Question:
Post-oppers- Needing your expertise

I am pre-op and am trying to make a list of products that could be helpful for me after surgery. I know there have been many questions about such products posted and I have read most of them, but I would like to get an "updated" list since sometimes these products seem to help and then after a short while become useless. I mostly want to find out some benficial products for gas, ketosis, hair loss, birth control, and constipation. Yes, I know it is different for everyone- I just want YOUR experiences. THANKS EVERYONE!!!    — karmiausnic (posted on June 4, 2002)

June 4, 2002
Hello, I can help you on some post op necessities. Gas-X worked the best for me for gas pains. For Ketosis I bought these sugar-free mints and they will peel the paint off of walls they work so good. They are Extreme Fresch and they are sugar free. For hair loss I think it is inevitable to avoid. I think it's going to happen regardless what you do, just try to take all your vitamins and avoid curling and blow drying as much as possible. For constipation I may not have the best advice, but my vitamins totally constipate me and the only way I can regulate myself is skip a day taking them. I have tried other things such as prune juice, apple juice, ex-lax and others but that is the only think that helped me was to lay off the vitamins for a day. So I hope this helps somewhat. Good luck in your journey. Jen-open rny 3/18/02-67 Lbs
   — Jennifer G.

June 4, 2002
I agree with the last post. You probably shouldn't buy anything until after surgery. You will be amazed at how much your tastebuds will change, at least for the first six months or so. You will probably over estimate how much of everything you need, too. AND, you don't want to buy things that you will NOT need. Most of the things that other people experienced, gas, nausea, vomiting, constipation, food getting stuck, etc., I did NOT experience. I don't dump, and I can tolerate most foods very easily. Let yourself get used to what is happening to yourself first, and then you can stock up on what you need. Good luck.
   — Maria H.

June 4, 2002
Original poster- Thanks for the input! I wasn't planning on buying anything yet. I just wanted to know what to tell my hubby to get if my pain is too unbearable for me to sit at the pc to look it all up. Better safe than sorry. I am a planner- and I mean I plan out EVERYTHING! (I have a wonderful husband but sometimes I feel, no, I KNOW that if I don't write it all out, it won't get done.) Anyways, keep the advice comin'- I need all I can get! THANKS AGAIN!
   — karmiausnic

June 4, 2002
The most important thing in the beginning is to sip water all day and get your 64oz in. This helps with the gas and constipation. Get some crystal lite to flavor the water.-- Good Luck
   — Robert L.

June 4, 2002
Very smart, I also plan ahead. I became very nauseous and had to get a prescription of compazine (SP?) called in from my doctor...it did not work, and I needed another pill, much stronger I wish I had had it right when I needed it. TO avoid the nausea in the first place..keep something in your stomach...and drink your water. I ate something that did not agree with me and did not eat again for a while , that started the nausea..almost got hospitolized for dehydration..not a good thing! Anyway, my point, because I ramble, is ask your doctor for something for nausea incase it happens to you, believe me it is best.Also if you do not do well with suppositories, tell him so you don't get compazine(sp?) My doctor prescribed Zantac for the first 30 days after surgery..if yours does not..you may want to ask him about getting some over the counter Zantac for acid..it really helped. I was constipated the first time I had to go and was told to take a suppository, I did and everything was fine from then on. As for birth control..I just kept up with my pills, no problem. Ketosis..did not really cause to much trouble for me, but I do have sugar free mints..hair loss...I took Zinc after the first 30 days and I still had it happen..although it is stopping now. I can't think of anything else..except the food thing..shakes and pureed and such..you tastes will change after surgery, but you need to have something on hand..just don't overload on one thing. You really can't eat much at all so get one of a few things that you are allowed and then you can see what you like. Best wishes! Tricia openRNY/distal 12/10/01 77lbs gone
   — Patricia R.

June 5, 2002
Hi Karen. The single thing I did that was most beneficial was to rent a Hospital Bed for the first month post-op. I was able to find more comfortable sleeping positions at night. More important than that, it allowed me to be much more independent (I didn't need to call for someone to help me into and out of bed). I know many folks use a Lazy-Boy for this, but I found the Hospital Bed was much better. For me (in NJ), it cost $225.00 for the month (which included delivery and pick-up). Good luck to you! Kevin
   — meilankev

June 5, 2002
The hospital bed was an excellent idea for me as well. I have 3 little kids; it is parked in the family room so I can participate while I am healing. Before you leave the hospital, ask your doctor to write you a script for one. The insurance will likely pay for it. In Pittsburgh, it is $220 for a month, but I only had a $22 copay. The doctor's prescription for it makes ALL the difference.
   — Karen F.

June 5, 2002
I used children's liquid Tylenol for pain (although I only used it once or twice). I think the bed idea is a good one, although I REALLY liked the idea of forcing myself to get up and do it for myself. The bed idea is a good one for the back pain I experienced because of my buxom build, though I did not use one. The BEST advice I can give you personally is to NOT get the flu after surgery. I cuddled and kissed my son when I came home not knowing he had the flu and a week later I was out of commision, and it was THE WORST experience of my life. I cursed surgery, life and God. If you hate the flu now, you'd rather die than to get it right after surgery. Exercise, drink PLENTY of liquids, have some pain killers on hand, and rest when you're tired. I haven't done any protein drinks. Oh, and just in case you can't get a hospital bed, use a pillow or two under your back and/or knees...it amazingly enough works WONDERS! I'm 8 months out and 85 lbs down. It's been worth EVERYTHING. Good luck! =)
   — Anne B.