I know i need a few outfits that are comfy and presentable that I can wear to work(preferably with a drawstring so I can cinche them up as I shrink!), but what other things helped you out, that made you more comfortable or just made it easier for you. I know someone thought a heating pad might be good...but what are your "must haves"? Thanks!

My must have was the gas-x dissolve strips (they worked better for me than the chew ables) and water bottles with different flavor packets. I don't think that I would have been able to make it successfully after surgery without these things!

Right after surgery and the following couple days an ice pack and very cold liquids helped me so much. Ice helps the swelling go down, not heat.

Well, you have my number 1 (when people tell you your stomach gets bloated...well, even my biggest pair of drawstring sweats bothered me). Hmmm...

2. My new Magic Bullet

3. SF Popsicles (when you need something that crunches)

4. Heating Pad (helps the gas pains)

5. The hospital 8oz. cups w/ounces marked on the side (to measure Fluid intake)

6. Anti-nausea medication (don't leave the hospital without an Rx...just in case)

7. FF Refried Beans....mmmmushies!

8. Greek Yogurt with SF preserves

9. Lots of frozen fruit (to make the Protein drinks palitable)

10. ...well, this should have been #1...LBT (for all my post-op questions and support)

In the recovery room the nurses put an abdominal binder on me. At first I thought it was tight and uncomfortable, but when I got home it was my best friend. Especially when I went back to work. It really helps you feel like you're not falling out all over the place.

Dear God, my big fluffy pillow to clutch tightly against my abdomen when I coughed...and every time we hit a bump on the drive home....and gas-x....and legging and long shirts (it was a good 10 days before I was comfortable in even an elastic waistband). I joked my first week at work that I would KILL for a girdle, every time I walked my fat jiggled which made everything ache so I have to agree with the person above that said an abdominal binder...I never got one but I wished for one. And my socks with the rubber grippers on the bottom so when walking walking walking WALKING around the hospital I didn't slip (I'm not a big fan of house slippers, I'm always tripping on them so I opted for the non-skid socks which were awesome).

And pain medication :thumbup:

I agree with the pillow! I had a small kinda firm one and I lived with it against my belly for several days! That and flavored water were my two favorite must haves! Good luck and congratulations on beginning your journey!:thumbup:

I couldn't live with out my massager...the gas pain in my left shoulder was HORRIBLE!! My mother massaged it the day of surgery and the next, but after that, I was on my own...LOL!

The gas x strips, etc didn't work for the gas pains for me, but the massager did the trick!!

:tt1:

liquid Tylenol worked better for me than the prescrip pain med

My recliner (I couldn't lay down for the 1st 5 days)

CHAPSTICK - esp. in the hospital (you can drink anything until the next day...my lips were SO dry)

My Crocs - no need for tying laces, and comfy.

Flavored Crystal Light

Homemade Soup broth (make regular soup like french onion, beef veggie, venison stew, etc.) and strain the clear liquid - it tasted like real food not just flavored bland broth.

The Maalox chewables cherry worked better for me than Gas-X

Ditto on the pillow, ice pack, heating pad

I wore a sweat suit outfit to the surgery and then wore it home the next day w/ clean undergarments. Less hassle and packing.

Def had an extra pillow to hold my belly up in the bed. I could sort of lie on my side/belly that way. I am a belly sleeper.

I was wary of the pain meds with the getting up every 2hours to walk. But the third day and night I took 2 and slept well. The next day was the day I felt human.

I went home on mushies, so I had pre-made some egg salad. Oh, I used my mini food chopper like crazy in the beginning to mush it all.

Oh yeah, my sister too! She took good care of me!

The best thing I bought post surgery during recovery was sugar free jello pops. I cant tell you how those cold things helped my sore stomach.

Thank you guys for all the wonderful suggestions! I have my list and I am ready to go. Just 4 days to go...WooHoo!

most of what you can have after surgey is sweet so I made a big pot of homemade chicken broth ....(whole chicken, two yellow onions,celery, carrots, spices,anything else you like, alittle chicken base and filled up the pot water cooked for 4 hours) I froze the broth in tupperwere and took it out as I needed .....it was the best thing I did.....much better than canned or box broth or stock!

Edited January 10, 201016 yr by Danyett

I'm three days post-op and have no restrictions on what I can eat, as long as it's liquid. While my staples are the Water (I have Biggest Loser Protein 2 Go packets to flavor it every now and then!), chicken and beef broth, and my Protein shakes...the absolute *treats* for me are:

1 - Fat Free chocolate Milk - I use it as a chaser after I take my antibiotics. The doctor told me to open the capsule and consume only the powder, but it's NASTY. Knowing I've got a swig (small one!) of FF Chocolate Milk to follow sure makes it easier going down. So what if I'm a kid?!

2 - FF/SF Fruit Popsicles - 25 calories each, this is my treat in the evening. Although, I highly recommend you take only half of the popsicle and put it in a BOWL, eat it with a spoon - SLOWLY. You'd be amazed at how much cold liquids can burn if you eat too fast :biggrin:. Made that mistake on day one!

The way I see it? I'm recovering from surgery. If I can find a couple of treats that make this week a little more bearable, I'm all for it! And, since I make sure they're FF/SF...and I only consume a little bit anyway...of course I've been losing weight!