Hi Everybody - I am scheduled to be banded August 16 (YIKES!). I am very scared, but also excited. This site has been a goldmine of information for me. Thanks to you all.

My question is this: I remember from a while back someone suggesting items for a shopping list for when you come home from being banded... does this sound familiar to anyone? Anyway, would you mind repeating your shopping list? I think it had a gas relief medication on the list (but I can't remember which medication was recommended) and it also had a heating pad listed. Any other suggestions? I want to be totally prepared so that my journey is as easy as possible (and also I'm a little psycho too!). Thanks!

I think waxing would be in line for Whippledaddy..

Hi Sal, Im with Marie on the walking part. I didnt use anything for gas. After I came home and Id feel the gas pains in my shoulder area (this seems to be where most people have the post-op gas pains) Id just get up and take a walk down the street. Not a mile or anything THAT vigorus, but just a few yards from my driveway.

Just out of curiosity, I wonder what would happen if we used the tylenol jr. chewables INSTEAD of the liquid... my complaint is the liquid has SO much sugar. YUCK!

I think they're just concerned that our stomachs are pretty swollen from the band installation and they don't want anything getting "stuck".

If Whipple gets waxed, will they arch his eyebrows also?

Originally posted by New Hope

".

If Whipple gets waxed, will they arch his eyebrows also?

Ohboy ohboy ohboy!!!

(they don't call me Lethal fer nuttin. )

Waxing? Yeouch!

But, ya know, I want this bad enough, if it were necessary, I'd do it.

Hey, that does make me think, and I'm positive none of you can answer this from direct experience, but...... I'm quite hairy ( I know: ewwwww), will they have to shave my chest and stomach?

Where are the holes? High, Low, Middle? Will one shaving make it grow in even worse?

Whipple, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I have 4 small holes. The largest (where port is) is about 1" long. The other 3 are about 1/2 to 3/4" long. They use internal, dissolvable stitches and external surgical glue. (No stitches to remove.) They might spot-shave you (like for the EKG monitors on men with hairy chests). But it grows back fine. When my husband had his open heart surgery, they sheared him like a lamb -- his chest, both arms, and both legs (where they harvested one vein for rerouting the heart). It all grew back.

I had to juice fast 2 days before surgery, then I didn't wheel out of recovery till 4:00 p.m., so I was really hungry. But all they give you the first night is Water to sip. But I brought one bottle of Gatorade with me, and they let me have that the second I was back in my room. It took me all night to sip the one bottle, but it was so good and took away the hunger. They brought me juice and tea with honey the 2nd day, but I was really glad to have that bottle of Gatorade.

Pack light. Wear loose clothes (sweats & baggy t-shirt.) Don't bring a bunch of clothes cuz you'll live in a hospital gown. Heck, wear the same outfit there as you wear home. No need to look pretty when packing light will make life so much easier. If you're going to Mexico, check in advance about telephone communication since my cell didn't get reception there. You can buy a $20 phone card at any Mexican pharmacy before checking into the hotel.

I was doing a lot of sneezing, and all the drugs made me tinkle a little in my panties, but I had panty liners with me. A couple other friends said the same.

Keep the heating pad at home near your bed, and it will be your best friend after surgery for all the back & shoulder aches.

Far out, huh? Good luck!