Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

2 Days Till "rebirth"



Recommended Posts

I am feeling an odd calm on the surface right now. This surreal feeling sorta has control of me right now. I'm a mixture of excitement, happiness, hope, and nerves. But, the positive emotions are winning for the moment. I've researched and read everything I could find about this surgery and what to potentially expect post-op. I've read all the suggested things to do. I don't think I can be more mentally prepared than I am now. I've lost 14 pounds on my pre-op liquid diet so far. I still have 2 more days. This in itself is mind blowing to me.

I have made arrangements for my furbaby to stay with my brother for a few days. I've washed a favorite blanket to take to the hospital with me. I've bought shakes and powders to have post-op. I have a small shopping list of things to get tomorrow, but other than that I can't think of anything I'm missing.

Suggestions from the crowd on what else to have? What do you wish you took care of pre-op?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It sounds like you have things covered. Honestly I took absolutely nothing to the hospital with me except the clothes that I was wearing and didn't need anything besides what they gave me. When I got home I started my liquids which was creamed Soups thinned and some yogurt. A can of Soup could last you a week. You'll have a hard time drinking a ton of Water the first few days but drink as much as you can, you don't want to get dehydrated. Within just a few days you'll feel like getting up and out of the house. I would say don't buy a ton of stuff that you "think" you might need, just wait and if you need something get it then. You'll do fine!!! Congrats on your surgery!!!! I'm less than 2 weeks post OP and feeling GREAT!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks, Gene. I really do love this forum. It has been the best discovery in all of the research I did for a year or so. I ghosted this site for a couple of months before I actually joined, but it has been invaluable to me in feeling like I'm prepared.

I'm happy to hear that 2 weeks post-op you're feeling great. I'm so ready to get past the hard part hurdle, and be on the other side.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I took nothing to the hospital also. It made it a lot easier to come home. I just had the few things they had given me. I was very comfortable. heck, I didn't even take my cell phone. I was naked of everything! LOL :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wish I had done a better job of organzing my clothing before I left. Would make it so much easier as I start weeding out the clothes that are now too big.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I took nothing to the hospital also. It made it a lot easier to come home. I just had the few things they had given me. I was very comfortable. heck, I didn't even take my cell phone. I was naked of everything! LOL :)

HA! One of the things I was most happy to hear was that my hospital has free wifi! LOL I'm taking my iphone and my laptop. My boyfriend is going to help me monitor their where abouts, and I have a locker in my room.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wish I had done a better job of organzing my clothing before I left. Would make it so much easier as I start weeding out the clothes that are now too big.

This is a good idea! I did toss my winter clothes already... I donated them to the purple heart. But, pulling out the "skinny" clothes now might be a good idea. By skinny I mean the things that are 1-2 sizes smaller than my current. ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Taking your iphone and laptop is such a great idea. I didn't have a locker and was fearful someone might take it, i shared a room. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I cleaned out my closets and drawers. I made sure I had very soft nightgowns when I got home. I used my lazy boy a lot.

I brought with me to the hospital my brush, toothbrush, biotene for dry mouth, Bigelow Peppermint Decaff Tea and my favorite artificial sweetener Truvia. They usually serve you decaff tea and generic artificial sweetener in the hospital. The hot Water is served in a coffee cup usually and smells like coffee and is disconcerting. I asked nurses for a styrofoam cup of hot Water. The tea was refreshing but more calming for my tummy.

I brought my own cottonelle/Charmaigne Butt Wipes. After you get the catheter out, you will want to clean yourself up. They have the betodine (or whatever it's called) on your stomach, and areas.

I'd pick up a bottle or two of Isopure (Grape flavored with added grape mio) Green Tea with Lemon (added Lemon Mio) because when you first get home you may be on clear Protein for a while or whatever flavor you may like.

Don't go crazy buying Protein drinks, what you like today may disgust you tomorrow.

Remember to use the spirometer, and the med cups to sip. If they don't give them to you ask for them. It makes sipping much easier and you take in less air.

Make sure your nightstand is equipped at night time with kleenex, the mouth swab sticks, your spirometer, you wake up use it, it keeps pneumonia at bay.

After you get the catheter out, when it's the middle of the night and you think you may have to go potty, give yourself time. Use the Button. That's what it is there for. They aren't going to dislike you because you push the call button. Give them time to get to your room, let down the sides of the bed, unhook you from the leg compression machine, unhook the IV and give yourself time to get out of the bed to get to the bathroom. Don't feel bad that it may take a while for your kidneys to wake up. (turn on the faucet if you have to). A lot of kidneys & bladder take a while to wake up after surgery and it takes a while for the process to work again. I had times where I would nod off in the restroom waiting to empty my bladder. If you can't go, take a trip around the nurses station. (I suggest bringing a mouth wet thing with you, because the antinausea medication (or patch) behind your ear will dry your mouth out. Nothing worse than being in mid sentence and your mouth dry out and you can't talk lol.

Good luck and keep a smile on your face, and positive attitude and we'll see you when you get back.

Oh yeah, bringing your own cuddle blanket, made my time there so much better. I didn't use my cell, my kindle, didn't watch tv, it was just background noise. My blanket, the wipes, the biotene dry mouth wash and my peppermint decaff tea, made the 5 days I spent in so much better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow, Thanks MinaT for all the great advice! I totally agree that its little comforts that help us get through hard stuff.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×