Advice Welcome - ThinnerTimes

RNY4me · 10-29-2006, 12:31 AM

To Any and All - I am having Lap RNY (if all goes as planned) on 11/3/06. I am just now feeling overwhelmed about what to buy and have stocked for meals and fluids for the first few weeks. Also, what to pack for a 2 day hospital stay - will I wear my own nightgown/robe/loungewear? Also, I've heard horror stories about foul gas and stools. Is there any truth to these stories? My mind is just swirling with so many thoughts and questions. Any personal advice is most welcome. Thank you.

HeatherT · 10-29-2006, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNY4me

To Any and All - I am having Lap RNY (if all goes as planned) on 11/3/06. I am just now feeling overwhelmed about what to buy and have stocked for meals and fluids for the first few weeks. Also, what to pack for a 2 day hospital stay - will I wear my own nightgown/robe/loungewear? Also, I've heard horror stories about foul gas and stools. Is there any truth to these stories? My mind is just swirling with so many thoughts and questions. Any personal advice is most welcome. Thank you.

i didnt have bad gas - i burped a lot and still do - dont worry about what to bring - bring as little as possible they have everything - i wore home sweats....
food is hard because after surgery my taste has changed - it was a lot of cream of --- soup & malt o meal - in the first months - so stock up on that - protein is a hard one to get in and after you will need to possibley try different stuff along the way good luck...

mssg13marinewife · 10-29-2006, 08:22 AM

To the hospital I brought my own night gown(thats what I wore home), hairbrush,ponytail holder,toothbrush and paste, deronant, and my ipod. Oh and a pillow for the ride home, the seatbelt is not your friend after this sugery.

After I got home, I was only allowed to have liquids for the fist 8 days, broth (veggie was my fav),jello (sugar free), hot tea, water, cranberry juice(but i couldnt get it down, and still cant), and my doctor had my putting something in my body every half hour, thus way I dont think Im hungry plus she knew I was getting all my required liquids each day.

Your gonna want to buy vit c(1000mg),b-12(under the tounge), Biotin 5mg(to prevent hair loss), vit Co Q-10 100mg (also to help with hair loss and healthy heart), and childrens chewables (dont buy the wal-mart brand their nasty).

I to had alot of burping and still do. thats kinda my FULL indacator. Cant help you with the stools, cause I didnt have any abnormal ones, and very little gas. I hope this helps you-good luck -Dawn

Zenomia · 10-29-2006, 09:24 AM

C H A P S T I C K!!!!!

If you remember nothing else, remember chapstick!

No need to stock up on anything. Just have enough for a week or less, as your tastes could change dramatically post op.

No bowel problems post-op, Gas-X strips were a good buy though. They have a strip that will melt on your tounge and totally help with the post op gas pain.

Best wishes and good luck next week!!

kittens4 · 10-29-2006, 10:44 AM

Yes, I brought Carmax with me, plus they gave me one in the hospital. I brought jammie pants and a shirt, which I wore home. While hooked up to the catheter and IV, I stuck with the hospital gown. I used my own toothbrush, they gave me one there also/with toothpaste. They even gave me non-skid socks. I never even used my slippers there! I wore sneakers home. I didn't need anything really! At home, I have the stock pile of cream of --- soups, even a couple jars of baby food just for fun...just read the labels... a lot of them are high in sugar. I also have diet V-8 fruit juice, crystal lite decaf ice tea, Isopure protein powder, vanilla soymilk, lots and lots of sf popsicles, no sugar added applesauce, Dannon carb/sugar control yogurt, sf puddings, etc! I like variety! Even though I'm only having a tiny bit of each thing..it's nice to have that choice. For the first week, you won't want much. I'm not sure about after that, because I'm not there yet! lol! My Dr recommends the full liquid diet..but I can't do that quite yet. I'm sticking more to the liquid diet for now...mingling in a few things here and there. Good luck!

p.s I burp a lot! Even after drinking water! lol! I have no bad gas though....and have only had 2 bm's since arriving home..they were nothing special...just softer and darker than usual. Even when you do have the "burping in your pants"..it doesn't smell! There just isn't much in there to cause any odor! lol! It may be TMI, but you asked! lol! So, whatever horror stories you have heard, I'd say they aren't true...of course everyone is different!!!

AlabamaChick · 10-29-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kittens4

the "burping in your pants"..it doesn't smell!

Ya think? (gigglin') I can clear a house is 5 secs flat now. Just ask my family! LOL Geeezzzzzzz I don't know why it's so bad!

RNY4me · 10-31-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeatherT

i didnt have bad gas - i burped a lot and still do - dont worry about what to bring - bring as little as possible they have everything - i wore home sweats....
food is hard because after surgery my taste has changed - it was a lot of cream of --- soup & malt o meal - in the first months - so stock up on that - protein is a hard one to get in and after you will need to possibley try different stuff along the way good luck...

Thank you for the reply, I'm so surprised by the number of replies. There are so many caring people out there that don't even know me and are interested in helping me. It's comforting to know so many others are doing well post surgery. I am private and usually would never think of joining anything like this. But I want to know so much and need to have my questions answered as well my fears calmed. Thank you!

RNY4me · 10-31-2006, 09:52 PM

Thanks so much for the good advice. Just what I need. I have a folder with all my papers and I've added your helpful information. I plan to go shopping this weekend for most of the stuff. I'm not sure what I'll do next weekend, with surgery on that following Monday I'll be pretty anxious. Maybe the cleaning advice will work! I'm amazed at the responses to my message by such caring people who don't even know me. Wow, I'm usually so private and shy, but I feel like you all really do care. Thanks so much, I don't feel so alone.

RNY4me · 11-01-2006, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenomia

C H A P S T I C K!!!!!

If you remember nothing else, remember chapstick!

No need to stock up on anything. Just have enough for a week or less, as your tastes could change dramatically post op.

No bowel problems post-op, Gas-X strips were a good buy though. They have a strip that will melt on your tounge and totally help with the post op gas pain.

Best wishes and good luck next week!!

Hi, I'm from Iowa as well and will have surgery by Dr. Christophersen also. He is so committed to improving the health of those of us suffering with morbid obesity. He says this part of his practice gives him the most satisfaction. I truly feel I am in the best hands for this surgery. It was great to see you here! Sounds like you have done marvelously well. Isn't it great that there are people from all over the world but we have this connection that makes us feel so close? And that two from IA are here and with the same surgeon?! Wow, I was truly lead to this place, it is just what I need. Thanks.

PennyJ · 11-01-2006, 04:43 PM

Good luck with your surgery! I'm in Iowa as well and just had mine 10/16 with Dr. Coster in Grinnell. He's one of the best around in my book!! No new advice - but one of my favorite things I took to the hospital with me was a picture of both my kids and hubby - did me a world of good to look at that picture during food commercials on TV!!! Don't worry - you'll do great!!!