What "musts"should I purchases pre op?

[efierke 60]

More Gas-X strips

liquid Ibuprofen

Many cups of Sonic Ice in the freezer

Broths, Popsicles, Jellos of your choice

Water

Comfortable walking shoes.. because if you don't walk, the gas pain will be the worst part.

A few pairs of fat pants... because for the first few days your abdomen will be both distended and tender.

You're kidding on the ibuprofen right? Ibuprofen (aka advil, motrin, etc), Aspirin, and Naproxen (aka Aleve) are on your perma-banned list. Liquid tylenol? definitely okay. but you can throw the liquid advil in the trash now. Can't take it at all any more.

[lucky1228 24]

As an RN, I can tell you the suggestion above won't put the fear of God into the nurses that care for you, it'll cause them to minimize their interactions with you. Also, unless you have the power to change the information that is already on record, your employment and insurance information are printed on a demographic sheet that is located in the back of your chart or is easily viewed on a computer. Hopefully your procedure is being done in a fantastic and reputable hospital that is staffed with professionals.

My advice: Be kinder than is necessary to people you encounter; be your own advocate, and when something bothers you, speak up for yourself; be honest about your level of pain so that you can be medicated appropriately; follow your post-op instructions to the letter; make sure you are discharged with appropriate medications for pain, nausea, and a PPI (for acid / reflux).

I'm sure you'll do great. Congratulations and good luck on your journey. I hope all goes well for you!

[lucky1228 24]

As a fellow RN, I must agree with bittersweet, about the above comment about 'putting the fear of God' into nurses by taking down names and saying you're writing an article. You would likely have better luck by showing appreciation of the staff, kind of like the old saying you can attract more flies with honey instead of vinegar. Every nurse I know treat everyone the same; we don't care if you are a so-call" VIP "patient or a homeless person, you get the same care. I treat my patients well because i enjoy my profession and like to help people. I am sure there are some bad apples but dont let that color the perception of all nurses.

I have similar advice as bittersweet: Ask questions, There is no stupid question except for the unasked one. Even write down questions as you think of them, so you wont forget them. If something seems wrong, ask, I promise we don't mind explaining why something is the way it is or why we are doing something. If you need something ask, we are not mind readers, if at all possible we will try to get it or make it happen. Ask for pain medication before it gets excruciating. When it is time to ambulate, suck it up and do it, it may hurt like a bitch at first, but the more you do it, the better you will feel. Follow your pre and post surgical instructions to the letter.

I hope everyone has an excellent experience and have an awesome staff to take care of them. Good luck to everyone on your weightloss journey. I am on my six month pre-qualifing-doctor- monitored-diet phase, so I am on the journey as well.

[scstxrn 213]

You're kidding on the ibuprofen right? Ibuprofen (aka advil, motrin, etc), Aspirin, and Naproxen (aka Aleve) are on your perma-banned list. Liquid tylenol? definitely okay. but you can throw the liquid advil in the trash now. Can't take it at all any more.

No kidding from me. Yet one more example of different surgeons, different rules, I guess. I don't have a banned list of meds - and the ability to take NSAIDS (as well as oral steroids) when I need them (other unrelated health stuff) was the biggest deciding factor on the sleeve vs any other surgery.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

That's a first. NSAIDs are a definite no no. Tylenol yes, asprin or advil? No. Prednisone is still allowed as is benedryl.

My understanding is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as asprin, ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Aleeve, Naprosyn, Vioxx and Celebrex increase your risk of developing ulcers. This one I would would double check with your medical team on. I thought is was a pretty universal rule.

ETA: I googled some info on how NSAIDs work and why they make not be good for sleeves. This article explains it the best.

Edited December 22, 2014 by BLERDgirl

[Countrygrrl 450]

Yes I had to cut my anti inflammatory. I have gout right now and I want to cry. This puts the F in fun

[Mrs. Reid 392]

Thanks for all the info! I am going to be going on my pre-op shop as soon as I get a date. I am so excited!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

When they give you your date ask you team if there is anything they recommend you get pre-op.

[Cococat 119]

RNs: Too bad you do not like my advice. I was not giving it to you. I have quite a few RNs and medical people in my own family and know they are human and as such, can be very kookie humans, too. Get off the "angel" kick. You might try to help people ... or not. How would anyone really know? I am too grown up to trust anyone completely. When I do, I get my medications stolen. That annoys me. Everyone ought to have a little fear of God (or their supervisor) in them, because when they don't they cop your meds.

[BitterSweet* 835]

Uhmmm, kay. Well, @@Cococat hopefully the individual who you believe stole your Latisse is also too stupid to know that without continued usage, their lashes will fall out.

Btw, individuals without a moral compass can be found on every job; this has nothing to do with nurses. A thief is a thief and in the hospitals I've worked in, there are always a multitude of people going in and out of patients' rooms. If you know the thief, identify him or her and file a formal complaint with the hospital.

No "angels" here can help bring your potion back. Good luck though....

[efierke 60]

Uhmmm, kay. Well, @@Cococat hopefully the individual who you believe stole your Latisse is also too stupid to know that without continued usage, their lashes will fall out.

Btw, individuals without a moral compass can be found on every job; this has nothing to do with nurses. A thief is a thief and in the hospitals I've worked in, there are always a multitude of people going in and out of patients' rooms. If you know the thief, identify him or her and file a formal complaint with the hospital.

No "angels" here can help bring your potion back. Good luck though....

Agreed. And to add to this, every facility I've ever worked in had a strict policy about patients not bringing in home medications for use without a Dr's order - no cough drops, no eye drops, no tylenol, etc. it's not about being able to charge you extra for pills - its about making sure you're not taking too much of something or, better yet, taking something that could be dangerous immediately post-operatively.

[lucky1228 24]

Agreed. And to add to this, every facility I've ever worked in had a strict policy about patients not bringing in home medications for use without a Dr's order - no cough drops, no eye drops, no tylenol, etc. it's not about being able to charge you extra for pills - its about making sure you're not taking too much of something or, better yet, taking something that could be dangerous immediately post-operatively.

[lucky1228 24]

Uhmmm, kay. Well, @Cococat hopefully the individual who you believe stole your Latisse is also too stupid to know that without continued usage, their lashes will fall out. **** agreed not mention the eeew factor for using something that had been on some elses's eyes

Btw, individuals without a moral compass can be found on every job; this has nothing to do with nurses. A thief is a thief and in the hospitals I've worked in, there are always a multitude of people going in and out of patients' rooms. If you know the thief, identify him or her and file a formal complaint with the hospital.

I agree here as well, there had been a rash of things being stolen from patients rooms...well guess who caught them? Me! The evil lazy nurse...some of the house keeping crew were the culprits. And I also went out of my way to help ensure all of the stolen property

Made its way back to the proper owners..if you know who the thief. Is then point it out. I really do want to help my patients and I hope they like and respect me as well

once again. I hope everyone has an excellent experience as we journey down this road together

[Suzzann 25]

I think everyone should have an emersion blender. In fact, I think my doctor's office should pass them out as part of the pre-surgery diet. I found it great for whipping up a small bit of Protein shake.

I also loved and still love the sugar free tropical popsicles. They were helpful for getting in that liquid.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I think everyone should have an emersion blender. In fact, I think my doctor's office should pass them out as part of the pre-surgery diet. I found it great for whipping up a small bit of Protein shake.

I also loved and still love the sugar free tropical popsicles. They were helpful for getting in that liquid.

Emerson blender, nutrabullet or something similar. I think Oster has a smoothie maker for $20. They are invaluable got mixing Protein shakes.