Hi guys! I was wondering how many of you are purchasing an Incentive Spirometer for after the surgery? Do you think you'll need them?

I just used the one in the hospital. Buying one never occurred to me.

My program provided me with everything I needed: the incentive spirometer, another similar device, and a leg compression device. They gave me everything before surgery so I could practice.

Hospital provided mine.

Yeah, come to think of it they sent me home with the one I used and I never looked at it again.

I am suppose to be getting one of those from my surgeon and some kind of patch during the 3 to 4 hour workshop a week before my surgery. I think the device is suppose to help us to clear our lungs so we don't wind up with pneumonia or something like that.

The hospital gave me one - and thankfully I took it home. 4 days post-op, I was at the doctor getting a chest xray to rule out pneumonia, as I had pain in my left lobe, was having trouble taking deep breaths and wheezing occasionally. I'm extremely prone to pneumonia (I've had it quite a few times and am an asthmatic) and being intubated can affect that. Xrays showed no sign of pneumonia (thank god) but did show atechtasis -- where my alveoli are collapsed and not expanding with my breathing. I've been instructed to increase my usage of the spirometer to correct the issue. I spoke with my surgeon today and she was pretty impressed I knew my lower left lobe was where the issue was -- as that was where I thought pneumonia was settling in. LISTEN to your body. Be aware. Do the exercises, walking, breathing they tell you to do. Especially if you're typically compromised already.

The hospital provided me with one during my pre-op testing so I could take it home to practice. I have to bring it back with me when I go to the hospital on Friday for surgery.

Thank you guys! I have my final nutritionist apt on Wednesday before they schedule my surgery and I just want to make sure I'm over prepared!!

Thank you guys! I have my final nutritionist apt on Wednesday before they schedule my surgery and I just want to make sure I'm over prepared!!

Hi IJustWant2BeALoser. I actually had my procedure with a surgeon who works in your Surgeons office. Once you schedule your surgery, you will schedule 2 more appointments. The first appointment will be with you and a physician at St. John in Madison Heights. You will go over some information regarding surgery and meet with a couple other doctors to find out what is required of you in the days leading up to surgery. At this appointment you will be given an Incentive Spirometer to practice with. They will ask you to bring it with you to the hospital, but will give you another if you forget it. The other is a group class that will happen somewhere around 7-10 days before surgery. This will be where they go over the pre-op diet and what to do after surgery and while still in the hospital. Best of luck with your pre-op planning. If you can make it, there is a support group meeting in the education building across from the madison heights hospital, on Monday, December 7th. Its always the first Monday of the month, from 6pm till 7:15pm. If you are onfacebook, check out St. John Providence Weight Loss Surgical Patient Group.

Thank you guys! I have my final nutritionist apt on Wednesday before they schedule my surgery and I just want to make sure I'm over prepared!!

Hi IJustWant2BeALoser. I actually had my procedure with a surgeon who works in your Surgeons office. Once you schedule your surgery, you will schedule 2 more appointments. The first appointment will be with you and a physician at St. John in Madison Heights. You will go over some information regarding surgery and meet with a couple other doctors to find out what is required of you in the days leading up to surgery. At this appointment you will be given an Incentive Spirometer to practice with. They will ask you to bring it with you to the hospital, but will give you another if you forget it. The other is a group class that will happen somewhere around 7-10 days before surgery. This will be where they go over the pre-op diet and what to do after surgery and while still in the hospital. Best of luck with your pre-op planning. If you can make it, there is a support group meeting in the education building across from the madison heights hospital, on Monday, December 7th. Its always the first Monday of the month, from 6pm till 7:15pm. If you are onfacebook, check out St. John Providence Weight Loss Surgical Patient Group.

Thank you dlappjr! I am so excited to get the ball rolling!

i was given one in the hospital. i'm almost 4 months post op and i STILL use it every day. 5-6 x. i do sets of 10 and get to 3500. that's up from 3000 last month. "in with the good air, out with the bad..." i find it really helps me during cardio at the gym.