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

Recommended Posts

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?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!! ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

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

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 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

    ×