Tips prior to surgery - ThinnerTimes

lonester28 · 01-05-2006, 12:30 PM

Hello all,
I have a scheduled surgery date of 2/13 and was curious of tips or preperation for surgery or the coming home. Curious about preferred diet leading upto surgery, vitamin of choice afterwards, nice things to have handy. Any input would very much appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

brookscn · 01-05-2006, 01:03 PM

Mike:
I'm sure this forum is going to supply you with all of the information that you will need. However, there is a book called "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" that has a vast amount of information on the topic - I got my copy on Amazon.com.

It seems that most people bring a bunch of stuff with them just to be prepared, and don't use 1/2 of it. Recurring recommendations are loose-fitting clothing to wear on the way home, chapstick (a must have!), a pillow for the car ride home (to put between your sore tummy and the seatbelt). Some people recommend one of those body-pillows for when you are at home, and some folks recommend sleeping in a reclining chair for the first few days at home. Some folks recommend bringing an iPod for their stay in the hospital, but it seems that most of the time you are there, you will be drifting in and out of sleep, and when you're awake, the hospital staff keeps you busy walking around. Personally, I don't think I'll bring mine because I'll be afraid it might go "missing" when I'm out of it.

Vitamins seem to be a very personal thing - everyone tolerates things differently. But I'll leave that to the post-ops on the forum - they're better prepared to answer that question.
Carolyn

Gladitsme · 01-05-2006, 02:22 PM

Mike,

Definitely take chapstick. Ask your doctor which vitamins he/she wants you to take. I was pretty groggy and out of it while I was in the hospital. I walked quite a bit there, and then when I got home too.

LizardQueen · 01-05-2006, 02:56 PM

Hey Mike!
Congrats on your date! I hope the time passes quickly for you! I like two multi vitamins and have been trying to rotate those so I don't get bored with them. Centrium chewables-they are orange flavor and Viactiv chocolate s/f. Calcium I take Spring Valley brand (find it at Wal-Mart) caramel flavor. They kinda taste like Bit 'O Honey.
The best advice I can give you is not to buy a bunch of anything. I threw away a ton of s/f Jello and I vow to never drink beef or chicken broth again. Just get a couple pkgs of Jello and one jar each of granulated broth. If you need more you can pick it up after surgery. This rule also applies to protein powder. I have thrown out a zillion half full containers of 50 kinds that I absolutely hated. Try to get sample pkgs or buy one type at a time.
The only other thing I can say is take care of all your household stuff-cleaning, oil changes, etc. prior to surgery. It's just that much less you have to worry about afterward. Get all your ducks in a row!
Good luck to you!