wlh75

I'd check with your clinic. It wouldn't have been allowed that early on my clinic's plan, but they're all different..

Thanks vikingbeast...[emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji847]

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Laptop to watch movies on, menstrual products because of course your period will start lol, underwear, chap stick, brush, braid your hair to prevent matting if you feel sick or can’t brush it effectively. Also don’t be afraid to ask your nurse for help

I kept trying to ask the nurses for help and it would take three tries each time!
I would not bring a laptop because it could fall from your bed and break if you fall asleep. I didn't feel like watching movies. I just slept and was on my phone a bit.

I was in for approximately 24 hours. I way overpacked. I honestly did nothing but snooze and try to sip for the entire stay. Didn't even turn the TV on until the last hour I was there waiting for discharge. I used my phone and charger, comfy clothes for the ride home, hair brush for when I left, and I brushed my teeth a couple times because my mouth felt filmy and gross but I used the toothbrush they provided for that. I don't think I even took my toiletry bag out while I was there. I was not allowed to shower for a day or two after I believe. Assuming everything goes smoothly the time will go quickly and you'll be home before you know it.

Ooh and like greentealaleal said, nothing expensive (leave your jewelry at home).

A Long charger cord (why are the outlets in hospitals always so far away?) & personal wipes (many people will touch you and you aren’t bathing)
I think the tendency to make everything around WLS exciting or an “experience” can make us overthink. I would take the same sort of things that I would need for an overnight trip somewhere inconvenient 😂 nothing nice or valuable

I was supposed to spend two nights but my recovery was uneventful so I got to go home the second day. Bring whatever electronics you usually pack to make you comfortable (I brought phone, iPad and earbuds) along with a really long charging cable (found one on Amazon). The hospital gave me toiletries but I wasn’t allowed to take a shower anyways. I did use my toothbrush and deodorant and did a sort of sponge bath (they provide soap and wash cloth). I didn’t need them but many suggest change of undies in case of accident so I brought a few, lol. I was glad I brought pajama pants to wear around the hospital under the gown. I wore the same clothes home from hospital that I wore there with the exception of my bra and panties (I wore a sports bra on the way home).

I brought way more than I used. I slept or stared at the wall almost the whole time. I didn't turn on the TV (but I don't like TV much).
Here is what I actually USED:
Phone, charger, headphones, extra pair of underwear (I did sleep over).
I did not take a shower the next morning; I felt too unsteady and the shower looked kinda gross anyway. I brought biotene and chapstick but I didn't need them. They gave me a toothbrush and stuff but I felt too nauseous to brush my teeth. The slipper socks fit me fine, and I wear a women's size 9. I wore the same clothes home. I brought a blanket, but they gave me plenty. I didn't need a pillow for the ride home because I just held the seat belt a bit out from me, and it didn't hurt that much because it was below my incisions and above my incisions. But I also only had about a 20 minute drive.
Good luck!

Not a lady, but concur, don't take a ton.
Of the stuff I brought, this is what I used:
- Phone and charger with looooooong cable (some of those plugs are in freaking Timbuktu!). Alternatively you could bring a spare charged up battery.
- Change of chonies, socks, and t-shirt
- Chanclas to walk around in, because they never have non-slip booties in my size
- Chapstick, Gas-X and Biotene
- Deodorant
- Pillow to keep the seatbelt from pressing into my incisions

I did not spend the night in the hospital (reported at 06.30, was home less than 12 hours later) so showered at home.

Don't take much - many of us sleep pretty much the whole time we're there. Phone and charger for sure. Comfy, easy-to-put-on clothes for the ride home (I wore the same thing home that I wore to the hospital). Some people like to have Chapstick and Biotene spray because sometimes your mouth and/or lips get dry from the anesthesia. I brought toiletries, but I didn't need to because the hospital gave me a bag of them (travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo). I'm pretty sure I took a shower before I left.

One of the things that contributed to my stress about this surgery was not knowing what was going to happen. (What can I say, I'm a control freak.)

So here is the play-by-play as it pertains to me of my surgery. Your mileage may vary! I'll try to come back and update it. Hopefully it'll be of use to someone—"and knowing is half the battle."

Day before surgery
Liquid-only diet; two bowls of phở broth, some Protein2O, apple juice, and sugar-free lemon Jello. Got about 830 calories in.
Had to take a shower with a special CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) anti-septic body wash. It made my skin a bit "slippery".
Packed my bag with my CPAP hose, a book, a spare shirt, some chanclas for walking, my cell phone charger, and my reading glasses.
Put out the two pills I was supposed to take (no losartan because it interferes with anesthesia).

Day of surgery
Took another shower with CHG as required. Reported to the hospital at 0630 as requested. Was checked in and taken to pre-surgery holding. My fiancé was allowed to go with me as an exception, because I'm hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading which is impossible with so many masks and partitions in the way.
A surgical RN came and told me to wipe my abdomen with CHG wipes, then put on my surgical gown (which was HUGE on me—I understand I'm a bariatric patient but I literally couldn't keep it on my shoulders). Then he put an IV in the back of my hand, took my vitals (I lost 10 lbs in the two weeks between my surgeon's consultation and surgery day), went through all my medications, put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear, and gave me a blood thinner in my IV.
My surgeon came in and asked if I was ready, went over a few things, then went to scrub up.
My anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had had anesthesia before (yes), and if I had any questions. I asked him to give me a TAP block at the end of surgery, which is a localized nerve block, like an epidural for your abdomen. It lasts 12-18 hours.
I was whisked away and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, where I was given cognitive tests (what is your name, what hospital are you at, who's the president, etc.) and given ice chips. Once that all proved satisfactory, I was wheeled to my room. I don't remember it, because I fell asleep.
Once in the room they put leg compression stockings on me and gave me Water, Crystal Light made way too sweet, chicken broth that tasted like a salt lick, and a thicker vegetable purée Soup. I couldn't get the vegetable soup down. I forced the chicken broth, Crystal Light, and water. I felt very, very hungry and it was frustrating not to be able to just eat something.
I took 3 or 4 laps of the surgical unit floor in my fetching anti-slip socks, and kept falling asleep. The pain from the gas was pretty bad and I spent a good 30 minutes just burping, much to the chagrin of the man in the other bed in the room (though he was moaning so he doesn't get to say anything).
Around 1730 the nurse came in, saw that I had drunk what I could and had peed sufficiently (you pee into a graduated container), and that I could walk. She asked my surgeon's permission to discharge me, and I was in the wheelchair going out the door at 1830, exactly 12 hours after I arrived.
When we got home, I pretty much washed my hands and face and went straight to bed. I got up probably every 2 hours or so, would have a couple of sips of Protein Shake or water, along with Gas-X (simethicone) or, as needed, Tylenol. I did get about 7 hours of sleep, in various chunks. I was able to lie, carefully, on my side, which is how I prefer to sleep. My CPAP did increase the gas pressure inside a bit but it was tolerable.

Day 1 post-op
My first bout of the 'foamies'. I tried to drink a CorePower Protein milk way too fast and spent an hour and a half wandering around whimpering. It was actively painful and it felt enough like I needed to vomit that I had a lined bucket at the ready. Eventually, though, it subsided.
Gas pain is still here and very real, but better. We went for a walk which absolutely tired me out—and it was barely 500 meters!
Right now I am using the timer on my cell phone to remind me to drink 1/3 oz. of Fluid every 5 minutes, and I feel full but it's manageable. I am alternating full ounces of regular water and protein water. I also made some Jell-O with extra Protein Powder but the thought of eating it leaves me cold. If I can get these bottles down plus the shake I had earlier, I'll be pretty close to 48 oz. of fluid which is my surgeon's requirement for the first week (bumps up to 64 oz. after that) and 41 g of protein which will have to do for the first day unless I manage to get some of the Jell-O down me.
I have been taking Tylenol, Gas-X, and my ondansetron—the nausea is there but it's in the background, like when you step off a ship onto land at the end of a cruise.
I haven't had enough pain to necessitate anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. My incisions are clean (I took a shower).

Why isn't he on board with the surgery? Does he not want you to be healthier etc...?

My hubby has been on board since we found out I am at a 52 BMI & I have an overly fatty liver. He has been to all my appointments with me and heard everything the Dr, Dietitian, Cardiologist, & Psychologist has had to say... He is even planning to do the liver shrink diet with me once COVID allows my surgery.

I hope yours comes around soon. Praying for Yall.

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Do you have any friends or family members that are nurses that would remove them for you? I’ve removed stitches for a relative before. I’m a nurse and have removed stitches from many patients over the years.

Thank you.

My heart breaks for you. I can’t imagine doing this without my husbands support. Not that you can’t or shouldn’t. I really hope he comes around at some point. I wish you both the best of luck with all this.I agree that without his help you will need to enlist a friend or a nurse or something. I’m sure you can find support. Older people living alone have surgery all the time.

I find it super annoying that people need to stress how supportive their spouses are obviously knowing yours is not. Literally no advice, just a boast on “my husbands better than yours” pretty much .. anyways .. understanding that your husband is unsupportive, I really stress to please try and find a support system! Even if paid, you will need support. Not to mention your hormones will be everywhere and that alone is a big one post surgery!

I think your husband is being extremely selfish and has other reasons why he doesn't want you to get the surgery. Maybe he is self conscious and is afraid if you lose a lot of weight that he will lose you. Maybe bring that conversation up. If that is the reason, he needs to grow up, pull on his big boy pants and get over it. In ANY case he needs to grow up and get over it. It is his responsibility as a husband to take care of you regardless of his feelings. he can disagree but he MUST take care of you during and after the surgery or to be honest, he is not worth being with. Sorry for the bluntness, but it is really true.

Ask him if he remembers his wedding vows. Mine had a bit about in sickness and health. Obesity is a chronic disease. Medical professionals have provided you a treatment plan for your disease. Would he balk at supporting you in your chemo treatments if the disease you had was cancer?
If he doesn’t come around, I’d suggest part of your pre-op preparations should be therapy for you and consulting a divorce lawyer. You don’t even have to say anything to him, but at least prepare yourself for the worst case scenario.

DoodlesMom, I wish there were more men like him out there. I wish more men & women making a change like we all are had a spouse/significant other as supportive as I have.

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--His only concern with this whole process is how hot I will look after a yearish. --Ha! I love it! You two sound so strong together. I'm sure you know this but, It's common for one person to feel insecure in a relationship when the other makes a big change. You've been together for a long time and it sounds like he's still crazy for you. That gives me hope! Good luck to you. I hope you get another surgery date soon and that your surgery moves forward as planned. 😄

Thanks for the advice. I've tried to explain the benefits and why I need the surgery so many times, he just refuses to listen. I will try your way----this isn't cheating. It's basically a stricter diet and exercise program than he's ever been on, and a physical restriction that FORCES you to behave and re-learn how to eat.---- Hopefully, he'll listen. Something has to get through right?

Yes, this! I’m a nurse and live in Seattle. If you happen to be near here I’d be happy to be your surgery support person.

Many hospitals will not allow discharge ride to be Uber or Lyft due to the anesthetic/ narcotics you have had in the day prior to dc. If your husband is displaying this passive aggressive behavior prior to surgery he may continue after surgery and actually try to sabotage you. You may want to seek a therapist now who can help you with this issue or your relationship. Good luck, it is hard enough with good support, I imagine even harder with no support.

sorry to say this, but your husband is exhibiting major jerk-like behavior. That is awful. Even if he disagrees with you getting the surgery, refusing to drop you off and pick you up from the hospital sounds very juvenile.
I'd probably enlist the help of a friend if it were me. I did tell a couple of close friends whom I knew I could trust about my surgery. Or do you have a family member who could do it? If not - yea - the home health idea could work...
sorry you're dealing with this. You don't need to deal with his juvenile behavior on top of the stress of going through major surgery. UGH.