Eireanne

Any suggestions for those of us who live alone? I have my two dogs (which means I'll HAVE to go for walks), and a friend will check in on me, but I'm basically on my own. I'm not telling anyone I'm having the surgery (except two friends and their spouses, one of whom will be looking in on me), so most of my friends will think I'm out of town. Is there anything I should do to prepare?

__________________

~Eireanne~
Southern California
Dr. Troy Lamar
Surgery date: 8/6/09
Highest/day of surgery/current/goal: 245/232/190/130

annie's mom

See if you could pay a neighbor or teenager to walk the dogs ....Also, I highly recomend that CHAPSTICK ....A close friend came to see me the day after surgery and brought me a basket she put together, soft socks, 2 glass small plates, crystal light - you get the idea ...and the very, berry best thing was the CHAPSTICK..When my friend walked in the first thing out of my mouth was "oh please, please tell me you have chapstick in there" ...LOL..and she did...

good luck....

__________________
Annie's mom


August 6 - Finally approved!!!! Doing the happy dance
Nov. 11th - Date of Surgery!!!!
Jan. 8th - Down 35 lbs.
Feb. 10th - 3 months - down 48 lbs.
March 23rd - 4 1/2 months - down 63 lbs.
April 25th - Down 70 lbs.
June 11th - 7 month anniversary ...down 76 lbs.
July 23rd - A little slow going now ...down 80 lbs.
Sept - down approx. 85 lbs.

This ole gal is hangin in there ..still would like to lose another 30..

Don't give up and don't give in....I won't..

StephanieinSD

I'd like to add: have a soft bra (ie no underwire) on hand for the first couple of weeks ... band size maybe one size larger than normal. My underwire bras KILLED those first couple of weeks when I was sitting down - especially in the car - and they were digging in right over my new baby pouch.

__________________
Stephanie


7/1: 251 lbs Highest weight ever; began pre-op diet
7/13: 244 lbs (-7 lbs) Day of surgery
7/22: 230 lbs (-21 lbs!) First post-op appt/weigh-in
8/8: 220 lbs (-31 lbs)

mykindsize

Chapstick: check
Slippers: check
Protein Samples:

Thank you so much!

Femme_Fatale

This post was extremely helpful! I find out my surgery date next week!
And you answered a lot of the questions i had been wondering.

Thanks

__________________
Amanda
/340/305/284/165
Highest/SD/Current/goal
GBP
09/29/09
Dr. Roye
RI Hospital

jkk

Hi all...surgery 10/30 & left hospital 11/2

This thread was helpful in prepping me for my trip. I can add a few "must have/must know" items as well:

1) bring piece of eggcrate foam or memory foam to put under your backside...it felt better sitting upwards but the bed was hard as a brick & my tailbone took a beating...had to move often...made me appreciate my pillotop mattress at home!

2) forget shorts/pants to slip into each time you have to walk...way too much trouble...hospital can either give you a second gown to wear backwards (like mine did) which was comfy & easy OR bring a loose robe to slip over your gown

3) lip balm for sure...your lips will feel like crusty mess quick

4) I brought some new magazines & my iPod but pretty much up until I left hospital I thought I was going to die (haha) so I didn't touch them

5) walking = relief from pain...no matter what you wake up w/ hourly (back/head/side/stomach/etc) pain...go for a hall walk...cures it all!

6) the binder wrap you will come out of surgery in (like a 1.5' wide ace bandage type thingy w/ velcro)...you will un-do it when in bed/chair but ALWAYS bind yourself before you sit up, stand, walk, anything when up...when you undo it, just leave it loose at your sides...doubtful you will role at all...if you move/walk w/o it, pain much greater & feels like your insides pushing out...this binder is your friend!

7) watch what you are given to eat/drink...bed wasn't ready so I spent first night up in recorvery area...recovery nurse asked if I wanted a diet coke or juice...my wife was there but even I was alert enough to tell her I couldn't have either! Once I got to permanent bed, those nurses knew what I could have & offered Crystal Light or water only but not every nurse in hospital is aware of your condition so be mindful of what you are offered in regards to what you Dr says you can have

8) first two days my wife fed me ice chips which were about all I wanted...ice chips good but don't swallow them, just let them melt in your mouth

9) the meds were brutal to my head (could sleep about 1 hour max, violent dreams, etc.)...one idea I had in hospital & did here at home for first few nights is I had my wife make me ice pack, crushed ice in ziploc sandwich bag, wrap in washcloth, put it under base of my neck...it sharpened the senses & cooled the head...the meds & other made me sweat bad in hospital

10) at dawn each morning (I was in hospital 3 nights) my gorgeous wife went out & got 2 dozen donuts & marked box as "thank you from us" & left them in nurse break/coffee room...not that the staff wasn't very nice to us but daily donuts keep all "EXTRA" responsive to any needs we have...this couldn't hurt??

Hope these tips help!!

jkk

the hardest part when you get out of hospital if you are alone will be bending down...if you drop something is major problem...I dropped remote control other day...had to get up...slide it to edge of bed on floor...lay down in bed & reach down for it

other thing is first few days home...long shower, etc...you could get dizzy...be careful! if someone stopping in on you daily ask them to sit while you shower, etc to ensure someone there until you get out

pets...I have none but I know you will NOT be up to walking dogs more than a few feet first day or two but walking is good BUT what if one gets off leash? do u have to clean up dog mess? if so, bending down will be major issue...find a dogwalker for at least first 1.5 week!

good luck!