. what's the check list of things I'll need when I get home post op? Things that work and don't work.. things the docs don't tell you

Go to the Pre Op forum and you will find a pinned post on everything you will need. Many have input on it, so there's lots of advice there! Check it out.

It's the very first post.

. what's the check list of things I'll need when I get home post op? Things that work and don't work.. things the docs don't tell you

"WLS cookbook for Dummies"...I ordered this book...and OMG it is the bomb....I love it...the first half of the book reinforces everything the docs tell us, but it is all in black and white and it gives you helpful hints on cooking as well as the protein/calorie/carbs/fiber counts for servings per recipie. A definate Must Have! I got mine on Amazon for I think $5 plus shipping, mine is used...but looks brand new.

I would also reccomend tasting before you go the Protein drinks you purchase...purchase sample packs...I did not and I have 2 complete cases of Isopure that is yucky.... Buy a case of bottled watter to have on hand you will go through it....

Good Luck! Welcome to our losers bench!

Water, powerade (no sugar), jello, protein drinks, comfy pjs, a big pillow to hug when you get out or bed or cough, fat free broth, frozen popsicles.

Check out the pinned thread under the pre-op questions forum. It definitely will give you a better idea of what you need. Personally, I took too much to the hospital and I over-bought on the protein powder. Live and learn. At least I'm now using the protein powder in coffee and in protein ice cream, so it's not a total loss. It only took me six months to think of using it in those things!

Here's the "for at home" portion of my contribution to the thread mentioned above. I will not have sleeve surgery until next week, but I've had 3 abdominal lap procedures including WLS.

At home:

I have DH bring one of the recliners up from his theater room and station it in the living room. From there I have same-floor access to the door, kitchen, a half bathroom, etc. This recliner becomes my docking station for at least 3 days until I can comfortably lay in bed. And on that note, I'd suggest getting some extra pillows. When I CAN lay in bed, I do best if I'm VERY propped up. I suspect this will be true with sleeve surgery, especially until my acid production drops off.

Don't wait until you're out of surgery to try and find supplements you like. Have them selected before hand, and have a few options. Things will probably start tasting different. Have cold & room temp Water ready. Not all bariatric stomachs tolerate all temperatures. When I had by AGB surgery DH bought a little apartment fridge to keep in the LR so I didn't have to walk into the kitchen. That was overkill. But if somehow being able to stay on the same floor as the fridge weren't possible, it would've been awful handy.

I'm queuing up movies & shows to watch on Netflix. Daytime tv sucks monkey butts. Also holding off on getting a few books I really want to read, so that I can have something to do until I can comforably move around.

If you have someone who can help you around the house for a few days, do it. Think about kids if you have 'em, pets... and how may up/downs it is just for an hour or two.

I don't like to take my hydrocodone any longer than I have to, so I use liquid Tylenol and try to have a few bottles on hand. Gas-X never did a thing for me other than taste bad. The gas that Gas-X works on (I say "works"lightly) is not surgical gas, i.e. the piercing ache you might feel around your collarbone/shoulder area... so don't buy it thinking it will bring relief. Surgical gas, and intenstinal gas, are two wholly different things. As an addendum to what I just said - I just remembered that an RNY friend dumped on liquid tylenol. For VSG it might be better to wait and see if you can tolerate it, unless your surgeon gives you the OK ahead of time.

If your shower hyas a stationery head, I suggest getting one of the kind of tubing that you can move around. Especially for ladies out there. Bending and twisting is gonna smart, and let's face it. Some things in life require us to bend and twist, or be able to hit it with some water. I'm just sayin'...

When I had my AGB and the graduated diet, I made sure to buy everything a few days prior to my surgery so that I didn't have to go to the store if I didn't want to. Ends up I wanted to, the next day, just to walk around a bit. But having the option is nice.

Since my AGB both of my parents have had bariatric procedures. I've made each of them a large gift basket and brought it to the hospital. Here's what I try to include:

• small plates (cocktail size)
  
• toddler utensils
  
• refillable water bottle that will fit into a car drink holder, and has ounces hashed so they could track water intake
  
• liquid Tylenol
  
• Wet wipes/hand sanitizer
  
• Snap-up robe (belt can be uncomfortable)
  
• SF Jello
  
• Mio or Crystal Light (was allowed with their surgeon)
  
• liquid breath freshener
  
• Sudafed dissolvable strips
  
• corn bags (cloth bags filled with field corn, I think they're far superior to heating pads, and caln also be frozen)
  
• Book, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, etc.
  

thanks you all