Jenkins

I'm a crazy person and basically brought all of my makeup with me... haha. I did forget chapstick, and my wonderful hospital had some. I felt so good the next day I actually used the makeup too, so.
I agree on bringing loose clothes/pjs to change into and out of the gown. I brought some like cotton tank top style night gowns and as soon as I was awake I changed into that. Felt so much better just being in my own stuff.
After I got home I would say I wish I had better prepared my room, if that makes any sense... as in pillows, scooting things closer so I didn't have to reach, etc. (I had roomates but no SO to take care of me).

I brought sooooooo much stuff!!!! All I used was:
Chapstick
Charger w extension cord
My own pillow (they have plastic crinkly noisy covers on theirs) with a colored pillowcase so I knew easily which was mine
Earplugs (though to be fair they had those there I didn't need to use mine)
My glasses/contact lenses (brought the glasses in case they made me take the lenses out, but since I sleep in my lenses regularly they let me keep them)
They provided everything else--toiletries, slippers/socks, an extra gown to wear as a robe, saline solution, heating pad etc etc.
My hospital wouldn't let me use Any over the counter meds or anything so gas x or cough drops/lozenges were useless. I wanted lozenges so badly they wound up getting an ok from my surgeon and then gave me ones they provided.

haaaaaaa!
That made me properly laugh out loud!!

Thanks for the tips everyone - I am going shopping this evening and I will pack tomorrow to be super organised! Surgery 27th but travelling 26th!
I hadn't considered a pillow, I will try source a small one for the plane especially

My date is 27th! I am not required to do a pre-op diet but decided to do it anyway to be extra prepared. I only lasted a few days on it which is worrying. I guess it's hard to stick to something when you know you don't really have to do it! But still doesn't bode well for the future, hope I can stick to the plan!

Im 6 weeks post op. I reached down this morning and felt a disturbing lump. Im thinking cancer, cyst, Im scared to death. Upon further investigation I have an identical lump on the other side too. Feeling stupid but thrilled when I realize that I actually have hip bones! Its been so long since I felt them I forgot they were even there. Gastric sleeve is the BEST.

Some sort of chapstick, hand lotion and a extension cord so that you can charge your phone or iPad easier.
I went home 24 hours later, so I didn't need much. The first day I was pretty much sleeping because of pain meds and recovering from surgery. The next morning I got up for the pouch test and then they sent me home. So I didn't have much of a chance to do anything or need occupied.

A good hospital is going to provide everything you need.
The only things I used was cell phone, cell phone charger, chapstick, face wash, toner, face moisturizer.
I find of wish I rented a recliner for the first 2 weeks at home it would have been more comfortable. Although I had no problems sleeping in my bed and slept on my stomach the 3rd or 4th night.

Hi Jenskin, same for me having it on 27th and no need for pre-op diet. But since I've been struggling with flu for the last few days all I've been eating is Soups and hot liquid, no appetite at all. I'm kinda happy for it I feel like I'm preparing my body for the post-op diet. Otherwise I'm sure I could not have done it or neglected myself. Keep up the good work and let's keep posted

Excellent question!!

For home, a long handled shower poof has been a godsend this week. No straining to get my back or legs. I also had a hernia repair and my husband bought me one of those back pillows that have the arms. It made getting in and out of bed a lot easier.

iPhone & remote battery charger to avoid having to plug it into wall outlet.
An extra pillow to press & hold over you abdomen during the ride home.
Extra pillows to prop up in bed at home with. That or sleep in a recliner the first few days. Sleeve was fine with anything....hernia repair was the only pain.
I don't took several boxes of gas-x strips after reading about them here. Never needed them at all. Zero gas pains experienced.
Slip on tennis shoes. New Balance makes a couple versions that you simply step into. Extremely comfortable and you'll love them around the house.
Your own loose fitting gym clothes. I felt like a sick person wearing that stupid hospital gown. Felt like a dude finding his stride once I changed into my gear.
Have you postop pain med prescription filled beforehand, too

Chapstick and lotion!

Hi January Sleevers! Just had mine on Monday, Jan 4. I was in the hospital for two nights because I wasn't able to get fluids down my esophagus due to air bubbles coming back up my throat. I came home yesterday afternoon, feeling better than yesterday.
Gas pains are the worst. Pack GasX strips.... They help!! Also, walk, walk, and walk!! On the day of the surgery, I walked a lot more than the next day and I still had gas pains.
The day after the surgery was the most difficult for me.... Both physically and emotionally. So, be prepared for some doubts and some remorse as your healing begins.... It will all pass. I am so much more positive day 4 and ready to conquer all of the challenges!
Best of luck to everyone going this month, please keep us all posted!!

Congrats! I hope to be writing my own post like this one day!

I am almost 8 months out and I finally reached the 100 pounds lost mark! Yyyyaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!
I started this process at 315 and today I weigh 214.6.
Another 70 pounds would put me in the normal BMI range. My one year anniversary is May 26th.
I would like to at least lose another 40 lbs by my surgiversary.
Onederland Is so close. Can't wait to reach it.

Oh I just bought 5 new pairs of shoes in the sales!
Im 10 days preop so I better get some serious usage out of them!

Crazy to think exactly a week ago this second, I was getting a VSG. So I thought it would be beneficial for others who are considering WLS for me to post the Good and the Bad so far 7 days post op things I were surprised by. I know I am only just starting my journey but these are things I was not prepared for, if that makes sense.
Bad:
1) Anesthesia: I pretty much was in a coma state for an additional 9 hours after surgery was completed. They tried everything to get me awake and had no luck. Once I was semi-awake I spent the next 12 hours trying to put words/sentences together and to be honest it was not easy. So without putting the blame on anybody, somebody messed up big time with my anesthesia. My wife actually passed out, out of fear after trying with my sister and nurses to wake me up for hours. They were putting huge shots into me and I was not even flinching. My eyes were pretty much rolled back and it scared them all. When I finally came around I had no clue where I was or what was going on. So this was not even one of my fears going in but by far the worst part of the surgery for me so far.
2) Taste/Smells: I had read about this going in but did not expect to be such a drastic change. For two months Pre-Op I tried so many different shakes, sugar free puddings, sugar free jellos etc… so that once I got home from surgery I would not have to waste time trying new items and I would already know what were my favorites. Pretty much everything I liked pre-op, I absolutely hate now and what I did not like pre-op, I love now. For me this so strange, I have been a vanilla lover for over 40 years, now I only like chocolate. Hopefully this will eventually change. Normal everyday food, smells are so intense. I was not prepared for this. I have yet to have a meal with my family since food smells overwhelmingly strong. When I open the fridge to get skim milk out it is like being in a Garden of food. I smell everything!
3) Sleep: I was expecting sleep after surgery with pain relievers and such to be so much easier. I knew I was not going to sleep well the two nights at the hospital but I pretty much did not sleep for more than 3 hours each night for first 3 nights at home and I never took a nap during the day. Lying down is by far the most uncomfortable time for me so far.
Good:
1) Pain: The pain was never nearly as bad as I expected or lead myself to believe it would be. I did get my VSG done Robotically so not sure if that made a huge difference but after three days I was off all pain meds. Hope it stays that way. Gas pains are not nearly as bad or frequent as expected either. However hiccups were much worse than I imagined!
2) Exercise: I thought it was going to take me much longer to get back to where I was pre-op (walking 5 to 6 miles daily) I am already doing over 4 miles a day and am not pushing myself too hard. For me, I think it was huge to get in the best physical shape I could for a morbid obese person months prior to surgery. Besides losing 30 pounds last two months prior to surgery (Over 60 total in last year prior), exercising 75 to 120 minutes a day was a huge plus for me. I think it really helped with my recovery time as well.
3) Hospitals & Surgeon: My Dr. & his Bariatric Team were amazing in every aspect. You hear how surgeons are usually stereotyped and I lucked out because mine was exactly what I needed. He was personal but also a huge motivator to get me out of bed and walk, walk, walk. He even a few times visited me just to do laps. His lead Nurse was an angel. All I kept saying to myself was I put off WLS for 15 years because of fear of hospitals/Drs. Etc… I was so stupid but better late than never. There are some genuinely amazing, kind people who work in this field and I should not have let prior horrible experience’s with Dr.’s going all the way back to my childhood put this off for as long as I did!
Hope this helps others in one-way or another. Had my Week One weigh in today and was already down 11.25lbs. First time in the 200’s in over 15 years! If anybody has any questions feel free to message me or post in the thread. Good luck to you all both Pre-Op and Post-Op!

This was great to read!
I've been feeling like that the past few days. Thinking "what if I just try this or that again, just to be sure?"
This time next year, we'll be so happy with ourselves for going ahead with it.

I felt the exact same way. I think it is completely normal. I started to question my decision and what if's. I also freaked out because this is a permanent decision and starting worrying about the potential side effects.
I'm so happy with my decision, my only regret is not doing it sooner. I'm 4 weeks post op and I'm down 30 lbs. I feel great. I have been quick to adapt to the new lifestyle. It is not as hard as you would think.
My main struggle was nausea but it passed. I also did too much too soon and set my recovery back a little.
It is worth it. Stay positive and you will love your results.

Wow, thanks so much for all the responses! It is exactly what I needed
Such a relief to hear that these feelings are normal.
It always sticks in my mind that everyone here says they have no regret, I can't wait to be one of those people!
Roll on the 27th!

Surgery weight 267
Current weight 147
120 pounds lost forever
Surgery date May 31, 2013

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Wow, thanks so much for all the responses! It is exactly what I needed
Such a relief to hear that these feelings are normal.
It always sticks in my mind that everyone here says they have no regret, I can't wait to be one of those people!
Roll on the 27th!

This is perfectly normal. You are about to take a step that will forever change your life. Just think about how your health will be a year from now if you do not have the surgery, then think about what your health could be a year from now if you do have the surgery.
When I need motivated, I go back to this thread:
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/219831-what-was-your-final-straw-that-broke-the-camels-back/page-112#entry3922023
It reminds me of why I took the leap myself.