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Pre-op liquid diet and hospital bag



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Hey guys, i'm almost there...almost to the home-stretch! My pre-op appointment is tomorrow and i'll find out what i can eat or drink rather. I know it'll be a 14-day liquid diet, with the day before surgery being clear liquid only. What are some experiences from people who have been through this? I'm really dreading it, but i know i have to just get through it....

Also, what are some things you pack for your hospital stay after?

Thanks!

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Congratulations! I'm going to be honest with you the clear liquid diet sucks. I was a real sour bitch for the first couple of days. Some days are easy and some aren't. It's definitely a massive adjustment but always keep your eyes on the prize and you will make it. As for my hospital stay I packed my slippers a fuzzy robe and my cell phone and a tooth brush and I was so out of it on day one that I didn't care about my cell phone in the least or brushing my teeth. Less is more chances are your not going to need a lot of stuff for your stay. OH! And pack chap stick. That's my one thing I wish I would've remembered my poor lips were like the texture of beef Jerky while I was there lol.

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I'm in for 2 nights (January 10th!).

I've packed an oversized jersey nightgown, panties x3, slippers, a cardigan, my book, my phone charger, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush and hair ties, facewash, hand cream, lipbalm, small Shampoo & Conditioner (i cannot stand greasy hair so this is a must for me, but optional for everyone else). The hospital recommended bringing some cash or a credit card, too.

It's summer here so I'll wear a loose dress and flip flops which I'll wear home.

For post-op fluids, I'm on clear in hospital and nourishing when I get home.

I've got icypoles in the freezer, limes to jazz up my Water, Protein shakes in a few flavours, thin custard, yoghurt that will be thinned with milk, cream of chicken Soup, cream of Tomato Soup, Miso Soup and homemade chicken broth and beef broth.

Hope that helps!

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It might be interesting to know what people packed that they didn't use...

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For me it was a book. I never had the chance since I was so sedated on pain meds for most of my stay!

My own pillow was definitely worth bringing.

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I agree that lip balm is a must. Also, I got my prescriptions filled the day before surgery so I'd have them when I got home.

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Thank you all!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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I used almost everything I brought. I packed cell phone, charger, iPad, charger, extension cord, earbuds, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, pj pants, clean undies, sleep mask (absolutely necessary as my roommate like her light on all night), gas x strips (didn't use these), hairbrush, Protein Powder packs and my Blender Bottle (I'm a vegan and the hospital only had dairy based Protein drinks) and dry mouth spray. I stayed in the hospital 2 nights because I was so nauseous.

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I'm in for 2 nights (January 10th!).

I've packed an oversized jersey nightgown, panties x3, slippers, a cardigan, my book, my phone charger, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush and hair ties, facewash, hand cream, lipbalm, small Shampoo & Conditioner (i cannot stand greasy hair so this is a must for me, but optional for everyone else). The hospital recommended bringing some cash or a credit card, too.

It's summer here so I'll wear a loose dress and flip flops which I'll wear home.

For post-op fluids, I'm on clear in hospital and nourishing when I get home.

I've got icypoles in the freezer, limes to jazz up my Water, Protein shakes in a few flavours, thin custard, yoghurt that will be thinned with milk, cream of chicken Soup, cream of Tomato Soup, Miso soup and homemade chicken broth and beef broth.

Hope that helps!

Were you allowed to shower? I'm also concerned about greasy hair LOL

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I was able to shower the day I was discharged.

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I hadn't thought about it that specifically yet - scheduled for 1/31. But I'll definitely bring my own pillow or two! Face and hand lotion. Maybe some facial wipes. Thick socks!! Some sort of washable cardigan - hospital rooms can be cold and it will be cover up if necessary. A very soft bra. One of those all stretch ones - a bit of cover up but still comfortable! Good luck all!

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You guys all had ideas of things to pack I didn't even think of! Thanks so everyone's suggestions and good luck on your journeys!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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I've been thinking about this too! I'm scheduled for the 31st. So far I'll be bringing my phone, charger, ear buds, loose pj pants (old maternity ones that I kept specifically for this) nursing bra cuz they're super soft and easy to put on even with an IV. Panties, Fuzzy slippers, comb, hair ties, deodorant, moisturizer (face & hands). Full change of clothes to go home in.

After reading this post I'm adding a chap stick, eye mask and robe.

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    • 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💪
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