Question:
Can someone tell me what to do pre-op
Im having a Lap RNY on March 7th. Can anyone tell me some things I should do to prepare? Also, what items should I have at home so when I return from the hospital I wont have to run out or get someone else too? Any advice as to how I should prepare or certain things I should do after would be appreciated. Thanks so much. I love this site and all you guys!! — L M. (posted on January 31, 2002)
January 31, 2002
I'm 13 days post op lap RNY and I found that a recliner was a huge help! I
couldn't get in and out of my tall waterbed, so I slept in my recliner for
the first couple of days. Also, lots of fluids...I liked Crystal Light,
Gatorade, beef & chicken broth and light fruit juices(wacth the sugar).
Good luck to you:)
— Shana C.
January 31, 2002
Hi-Best wishes on your upcoming surgery. My doc provided us with a
prescription for post-op pain meds to be filled before we went in to the
hospital, that way you don't have to make a stop on the way home. In
addition, I would stock up on peppermint tea (really helps with any
nausea), sugar free jello, juice-apple or cranberry, watered down was
really good and broth of some sort. I also had my protein supplement on
hand, I use Pro-Complex from GNC. Also some chewable children's vitamins
and sub-lingual B12, if that is what your physician recommends. I also
recommend either a lazy boy type chair or a foam wedge pillow to help you
sleep upright, you won't be comfortable lying flat for a while. Hopefully
they will provide you with an abdominal binder, it really helps with
discomfort. Make sure you get up and walk frequently and keep your fluid
intake up, not always easy but necessary.
— Susan A.
January 31, 2002
Follow all Dr. instructions. Begin protein shakes and vitamins NOW.
Adequate protein helps you heal. My surgeon told me he could tell I had
been taking my protein shakes by the way my skin reacted to the scalpel and
needle while suturing. Not a pretty image but a crucial lesson. ProCal
was what my surgeon recommended as a supplement, not great tasting but the
best as far as vitamins and nutirents and one of the highest protein
contents. Avail at GNC or any online health food site. Recommend buying
flavored extracts to add to give flavor.
— Danielle M.
January 31, 2002
Sounds like they have it all wrapped up! You will also need patience and
an upbeat attitude when you get home. I think most of us tend to get a
little depressed when we get home, at least until we can get up and 'do'
for ourselves and be able to get out of the house. A couple more things,
get a pair of tongs with a smooth edge, you'll need it for wiping, and get
a long handled bathing brush for in the shower, you won't be able to reach
all the places that need to be bathed :)
— DonnaCarol
January 31, 2002
One thing that I did to prepare for surgery, was to spend about 5 days
reading the library on this site. It is full of wonderful information. I
sat with a notebook and took notes about things that I would need post op,
and there were so many wonderful suggestions. Go to the library and check
out the topics/categories or type your word into the search. You will get
so much more information from there than would even be possible with this
one question. Those questions are from the beginning of this site. Since
then, there have been thousands of people answering questions and you will
get many, many, many different perspectives. Give it a try, it's really
great.
— Shelley.
January 31, 2002
The recliner was a great help to me too, plus it meant I didn't have to go
up and down the stairs everytime I wanted a nap. Also, I had little 3oz
plastic cups that I could use for 'serving-sized' containers (good for
cottage cheese, custard, pudding...). Little spoons (like baby spoons)
helped me take smaller bites. I also had a little 8oz 'sippy'- some advise
against straws, but I found they helped. Plus with the closed container, I
could just hold it and keep it with me all the time, do I didn't have to
worry about it spilling (I think I got more liquids in because I had it
with me all the time, oppsed to a cup I would have put down). And the most
important thing I bought before hand was 'softlips' strawberry chapstick,
it was a god-send in the hospital and when I got home!! Good Luck on your
journey!! :-)
— Angela B.
January 31, 2002
I had use of a hospital bed post op. That was one of the best things I
had!. If I was you I would definately rent one for a couple of weeks. As a
LAP you may not need it. But what if they decide to do the Open mid
surgery? You would be very glad for the bed! That is just one idea. :)
— Danmark
January 31, 2002
My surgery is 2/7. I've been taking my post-op regimen of vitamins dailly
for the last 2 weeks: chewable multivitamins, sublingual B12, and calcium
citrate. I actually feel really good. Perhaps you might begin your
vitamins and such ahead of time, too.
— Kathy J.
February 4, 2002
Use your chicken stock, and put in ice cube trays to freeze and just take a
few out when you need them! Convenient!
Also.....when you come home from the hospital, have someone bring a bed
pillow for you, it was great held over abdomen, to help with all the bumps
in the road, even the tiniest bump felt like a huge pothole! good luck!
jeanne
— Jeanne P.
February 4, 2002
Use your chicken stock, and put in ice cube trays to freeze and just take a
few out when you need them! Convenient!
Also.....when you come home from the hospital, have someone bring a bed
pillow for you, it was great held over abdomen, to help with all the bumps
in the road, even the tiniest bump felt like a huge pothole! good luck!
jeanne
— Jeanne P.
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