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

Finally got my date March 22! What should I bring!?



Recommended Posts

Beyond exciting. People around me just can't understand what I'm feeling. This is a fresh start to a new life. So much more than being healthy to me. I just can't wait! So what should I bring with me to the hospital- what should I expect after surgery? Is it all gonna start going by really fast? What about the anesthesia that's my only fear now.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My advice is to take in as much information as possible, follow instructions and you will be fine. Do not worry about anything except for what you are supposed to be doing, a lot of people have horror stories that quite possibly will never happen to you! I was in the hospital on Tuesday am, home Thursday afternoon, back to work 5 days later. I never took a pain pill (my doctor doesn't believe in them) and I started exercising day 4 post op. I have never had vomiting or diarrhea I met my goal weight in 16 months and 18 days. I can do things now I never thought were possible, you will too! Good luck and keep us posted!

All jewelry will have to come off, I don't know about your nails:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I took a bunch of stuff to the hospital that I never used to include nightgowns and bathrobe, books and magazines. I would take a tooth brush, toothpaste, cell phone and charger and comfy stretchy clothes to go home in. They will give you everything else you may need.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You are going to do great!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine is scheduled for the 31st! Good luck to you!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 34 months post-op RNY gastric bypass. The guidelines I received was

Light color finger nail polish was fine.

Cannot wear dark colors into surgery.

Can wear acrylic nails.

I believe the reason for this requirement was because they hook up instruments to your fingers to continuously measure your oxygen level.

After surgery, you will need to walk a lot. Walking makes the recovery process go smoothly. There are two points here. Some hospitals equip the bed with a trapeze bar above the bed to help you get up and on your feet. When you have stitches, getting up can be very painful, so this bar really helps. So when you check into the hospital make sure you request this, if it is not automatic. Second, it takes several hours for the anesthesia to wear off. If you try and walk during this time, you will be wobbly. My wife stayed with me in the hospital and she provided me with some help, stability and someone to walk with.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The easiest way to get out of bed is to use the up and down buttons for the head of bed. Let the bed do most of the work for you. Make sure the foot of the bed is flat and you are positioned correctly on the back part. Just relax as the back goes to a sitting position. Than all you have to do is slide your legs over the edge of the bed and the hard part is over with very minimal amt of pain. There are parts of the bed close to the floor that if you find this bar you can use it too to rest your legs on before reaching for the floor.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Beyond exciting. People around me just can't understand what I'm feeling. This is a fresh start to a new life. So much more than being healthy to me. I just can't wait! So what should I bring with me to the hospital- what should I expect after surgery? Is it all gonna start going by really fast? What about the anesthesia that's my only fear now.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Christina_rny,

I have not gotten as far as you yet but have been busy, busy, busy reading everything I can get my hands on. The things that I keep seeing popping up again and again that you should be sure to bring are:

PILLOW - a comfort from home and something to put on your stomach for the drive home in case it gets bumpy.

CHAPSTICK - you will be very limited on liquids and your lips are gonna need some soothing.

GAS-X STRIPS - they pump you full of air during surgery and these (as well as walking) are supposed to be really helpful for gas pain.

Good luck and please keep us posted on how you do!!

Sent from my LG-E980 using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery on the same day!

I am home resting comfortably. I hope that you are too.

Please allow me to add something to the list of what to bring.

- A person strong enough to help you sit up and stand.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine is scheduled for the 31st - I am super nervous. I am so happy to be starting a new chapter but I guess I dont have as strong of a support system so I worry about how I am going to make it through the months after surgery. I have my husband... and he has been working on becoming healthier with me even though he is not overweight, I dont know why but I never really thought I didnt have a support system until i hit the liquid diet and realized that 90% of my "activities" with people revolve around food and just because I decided to change my relationship with food does not mean they will be open to other activities... I do have a support group I can go to once a week so I am going to utilize that, but yeah i am really nervous/anxious/happy/scared all at once.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

4 more days....I don't know if I should be scared or excited. Honestly I am just kinda blah...

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Edited by KLSUMM

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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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

    ×