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

Supplies for post surgery?



Recommended Posts

Mama,

That's a GREAT question! I had a drain which was removed just before I went home, and the site needed to be bandaged as it continued to drain for about a week post-op. This was not mentioned to me pre-op, so I was unprepared. I only had large bandaids at home, and they were not up to the task - I ended up having to launder pajamas and bedding several times before I was able to get to the drugstore. The best product I found was 3M Nexcare 3" x 4" adhesive pads - no leaking, and easy to apply.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can't say as there was anything "wound-wise" that I needed. My incisions were very small, glued shut and covered with those steri-strips that fell off after a few days. The only thing that was a help to me once the strips fell off was gently rubbing baby oil on the incision sites to get that glue residue off- it was getting covered with fuzz from my clothes! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My wounds were small but did leak a bit and soiled my sheets so you may want to have something to put down on your sheets. But the big gauze squares are really good to have. Have lot's of them!! Just in case.

Make sure to have your Vitamins all bought and lined up. Have some food items ready, that are stage appropriate for you. Also, start to prep for the next stage as well. So, have your liquid stuff ready for the first phase. Some broth is good to have because it has some flavor to it. sugar free Jello and sugar free popsicles are really good to have around as well.

Have some pureed stuff ready for your next phase: some yogurt, cottage cheese, sugar free apple sauce, etc.

And of course a lot of Protein drinks. Your tastes might change after the surgery so have some different flavors around.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

would highly recommend against removing the skin glue with baby oil. The port site incisions are not sutured - the skin glue is used to approximate the skin edges. Removing the glue with a non-sterile substance, much less an oil, within a few days of surgery does not seem wise. If the wound is not adequately healed, you risk contaminating it, as well as producing an unsightly scar. I was instructed to allow the glue to fall off by itself - took about two weeks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

would highly recommend against removing the skin glue with baby oil. The port site incisions are not sutured - the skin glue is used to approximate the skin edges. Removing the glue with a non-sterile substance, much less an oil, within a few days of surgery does not seem wise. If the wound is not adequately healed, you risk contaminating it, as well as producing an unsightly scar. I was instructed to allow the glue to fall off by itself - took about two weeks.

Interesting.... because it was my actual surgeon who recommended the baby oil to get the leftover glue off. For what it's worth, I certainly didn't do it arbitrarily- I asked at a post op appointment after the incisions were checked, since fuzz-covered incisions certainly didn't seem very wise or sterile to have either. Ah well, surgeons are different.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Can you drink milk in post op? You know to mix Protein Powder with..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgery is next Thursday... I bought a heating pad because many recommended it for post-op pain. Also, ordering a new scale!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgery is next Thursday... I bought a heating pad because many recommended it for post-op pain. Also, ordering a new scale!

My new heating pad arrived yesterday!!!! Not sure who's more excited - me or my daughter who has inherited my old (perfectly working but small) one :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Interesting.... because it was my actual surgeon who recommended the baby oil to get the leftover glue off. For what it's worth, I certainly didn't do it arbitrarily- I asked at a post op appointment after the incisions were checked, since fuzz-covered incisions certainly didn't seem very wise or sterile to have either. Ah well, surgeons are different.

SuzeMuze -

So glad that you clarified that you removed the glue only after an incision check, and with your surgeon's approval. For those who've done the same, it's a nice tip. I was concerned that someone might see the original suggestion and start oiling up as soon as they got home from the hospital... (Sorry, can't turn off my nursing background)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got a maternity binder to wear under my clothes and just hold me in, heating pad good idea, I got a set of bamboo child flat ware as a treat.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Someone somewhere on one of these preparation threads recommended packing a pillow to clutch to your belly in the car for the ride home from the hospital. I did not take this advice and I deeply regretted it. I have a brand new car with a smooth ride, but I still felt like I could feel every single pebble we drove over. By the time the 30-minute ride home from the hospital was done, I was gasping and whimpering and trying not to cry like a big baby. So, yeah... pack a pillow. Maybe you won't be as big a baby as me, but if you are then you'll be grateful for it.

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

    • 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!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • 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

    ×