My surgery is a week from Tuesday and I'm starting to put together a list of things I need to get and take care of prior to my surgery. for example, I know I need to make some chicken broth, buy a heating pad... Etc...

Is there anything you experiences bandsters can think of that I may not have thought of? Any ideas would be great! Thanks!

I brought a small pillow to put inbetween the seatbelt and me for the ride home, and chapstick. You won't be able to have anything by mouth until they do an xray and make sure eveything is as it should be. Your lips will get very dry. Congrats on your upcoming surgery!

Get a Pill splitter/crusher for your pain meds, or if you take meds, ask your Doc can you get them in liquid form. Mine did that for me.

Jell -o, Sugar Free Pudding, Light Yogurt, Soups (NOTHING HEAVY ! LOOK FOR SOUPS IN A BOX, I FOUND IT IN THE ORGANIC AREA BUT EVERY PLACE IS DIFFERENT. IF YOU FIND A "RED PEPPER SOUP", YOU FOUND THE RITE SOUPS. ALSO THAT IS FANTASTIC ! ! ! I bought the Mushroom, and Red Pepper Soup., Protein Drinks, Pop cycles, and what ever is in liquid form, that you like.

Visine. My eyes got so dry in the hospital they hurt. If your hospital is anything like mine the pillows feel like cardboard. Bring a nice soft one with you. Bring a good book or something to kill the time. It gets very boring. Slippers and a bathrobe. They are going to want you to do a lot of walking. You don't want to do it in slipper socks and a hospital gown. Don't forget your cell phone charger. When you make your broth, freeze it in small containers. You won't be able to get much down at a time the first few days. You might even want to freeze it in a ice cube tray. Get some s/f Popsicles. Get some s/f lemonade. Minute maid light is good. Only about 10 calories. It comes in half gallon cartons in the dairy section and 12 pack cans with the Coke products (It's non carbonated). It works very well to get rid of the dry mouth that you will have from the liquid diet. So does s/f lemon hard candy. Good Luck on your surgery.

Honestly, when you get home you'll be able to do pretty much everything you were able to do before the surgery-except drive.

The small pillow tip is something I found very useful. I never needed Gas-x or a heating pad, but everyone is different.

The pill crusher is a great idea-I wish I would have thought of that because they want all meds crushed to powder form.

Good luck!!