Question:
What am I forgetting

I am having WLS in 19 days. I have all my stuff for the hospital,liquid diet shoping list to get week before,babysitters,help for after care at home,And house cleanning .Is there something else I should have thought of that I have missed? My mind is swimmng right now and I don't want to forget anything. I will be 2 hours from home and my family is droping me off a the hospital and will pick me up the day I go home. Is there something I am forgetting or something my family should have done by time I get home.I have had surgerys before but never had to have one this far from home or to be in hospital this long.Also my 4 yr old has never been away from me for more than overnight how do I prepare him for me being away 5 days? He is kind of a mommas boy as it is. Thanks for any help.Sue    — Sue R. T. (posted on September 15, 2001)

September 15, 2001
Make sure you take a box of the instant breakfast with you, better safe then sorry... Take some chapstick and you might want to take your toiletries from home and your make up if you wear it... Just so you can make yourself feel human which will aide in your recovery =) Give your son a pre-paid phone card so he can call you when you get into your own room if he will be with someone outside of family, some activities to do while you're gone = maybe a new coloring book or two and a couple new books or other toys.. I've even heard of putting a spray of your perfume on his pillow or leaving a shirt with your sent on it.. and make sure you take a phone card of your own. Take a magazine / cross stitch / book or something for you to do... you probably won't have much time to do anything but you will have bored periods.. If you're funny about having your house in a certain condition make sure it's clean before you leave.. Having a pair of hotdog or bar-b-que tongs around may help for reaching yourself after you go potty to save you some dignity.. Good luck getting to the other side..
   — [Anonymous]

September 15, 2001
Sounds like you've thought of most everything. There is a list of things you need/should have postop that you can print out at: http://www.lkdobson.homestead.com and it has been updated recently. Hope you find that useful, and best of luck to you !!!
   — Lisa D.

September 15, 2001
I think the most helpful thing I had for home was a chair in my tub and a hand shower thingy. I was still too weak to stand long enough to take a good shower, and too sore to be able to reach some spots. Take a pillow or two for the ride home. I forgot and wish I had of. It seems like you feel every bump in the road. I just wore my pajamas home - didn't want anything touching my sore belly. Other than that, it sounds like you have everything that you will need. Oh! The other most helpful thing(and I know everyone doesn't have the money to go buy one but you may want to check on a rental) is a lift chair. I slept in it. For the first 4 days or so, it was a very helpful thing.
   — K T.

September 15, 2001
Sue...my surgery is in SIX days! Yikes! I no longer have young children, mine are all grown and have their own lives, but my oldest grandson, age 4, has NEVER not seen me for more than 5 days. I think I'll miss him more than he'll miss me! He even starts pre school on the 24th...3 days after my surgery...I can't believe I'm missing it. So what I'm doing for him is making little things to mail him and having my mom mail one each day. I'll mail one the day before my surgery, so he'll get something from me every day. I found a great site where you can make little printable personalized books, so I made him one for a bear named Bobby who is starting to school...the site is... www.billybear4kids.com ...it's a terrific site. best wishes...see you on the other side! Yvonne Ross, Michigan Open RNY 9/21/01
   — Yvonne R.

April 11, 2005
The one thing you must have in the hospital is a portable fan,just a small one but it will help if you have problems with the temperature in your room. Make sure you have a really good heating pad for yourself when you come home from the hospital it will help your back and it will relax you alot. I had my husband bring me chamoille tea in the hospital but since you will be far away, put some in a baggie and have the nurses make it for you, it's very calming and relaxing. As for your son you can allways get a calling card so that you can call him from the hospital and of course your husband can let him talk to you on a daily basis when he calls you in the hospital. Let him sleep with something that smells like you that will give him comfort and ask him to draw you a picture everyday your gone so that you can go over them when you get home. Other than that as long as he knows that your alright and can hear your voice he should be just fine. You have my prayers and good luck. Keep in touch. Karyn
   — Zimpo