Home from the Hospital - Tips for You!

[kakatlady612 1,053]

Slippers if you don't want to wear their nonskid socks when you walk and a small pillow to "splint" your tummy when you cough, when I had my gall bladder lo these many,years ago I even used it while walking. Some hospitals provide a Bariatric Bear, I think Creekimp got,one. If I don't take Chickie my little buddy from back,then I'll go out and get the Valentine pillow/blanket combo from Wal-Mart for about $9. Pillow is heart shaped, about right size and I can always use a blanket to snuggle into. Remember to bring home the little baby,cups,if they hive you any.Those mini medicine cups are really good for sip sips.You are gonna do fine and I' will be sending you healing thoughts your way,tomorrow. . Now get some rest tonight.

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[Tess530 37]

Thank you! Great ideas!! I'm still in disbelief that this is actually, finally going to happen. And hungry.

[ktgirl246 17]

Thank you! Great ideas!! I'm still in disbelief that this is actually, finally going to happen. And hungry.

Best wishes! You got this! Let us know how you’re doing

[wendybird 56]

Best wishes! I was only in the hospital for one night so aside from lip balm and my phone/charger I didn't take anything else out until I got dressed to go home. You've got this!

[jbmac 5]

What an awesome post...thanks so much!

[Ambitious1_2U 7]

Thanks for sharing!

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[LesliesBari 0]

I’m still going through the “will we accept her” stages of bari... They suggested I find a group to learn from so here I am! I like what I’ve seen in this thread so far.

[FloridaGal1976 77]

This is fantastic information. Thank you for taking the time to share!

[Jakesoldlady 44]

Great info thanks!!

[MATISSA1990 5]

Thank you very helpful

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[Muzzy85 1]

On 1/26/2018 at 10:37 AM, wendybird said:

Hi Everyone! I know I came to these forums to help prepare me for the surgery, so this post is about helping you be as prepared as possible and know the nitty gritty.

I was sleeved Wednesday 1/24 in Chicago. Your mileage may vary.

The night before, I was NPO after 9PM and was the first surgery of the day, so I had to be at the hospital at 5:15 am. Have a backup ride ready because you might not know this until the day before, and my husband had to stay home with our kids. Pro Tip: You can reserve a cab or Lyft ride in advance, so I had a lyft scheduled at 4:30 AM.

They do weigh you at the hospital when you arrive. Pre-Op was a breeze. I have a high BMI so I had a shot of a drug to prevent blood clots, if you don't like shots, ask for it in the thigh. I had mine in my right shoulder both days and it was fine, nothing more than a flu shot feeling.

Post op your mouth will be DRY. DRY DRY DRY DRY DRY. Bring lip balm to keep your lips moist and you will, will, WILL get through it. If it's really bad, make sure you are not getting dehydrated. Late on the night of my surgery, my heart rate and blood pressure went way up, so they gave me a "BOLUS" for dehydration, which is a lot of IV fluids really fast, it did the trick and by morning I was fine.

WALK! Get up as soon as you feel able to. I walked and walked, and peed and peed. They will measure your urine so don't flush it, there will be a measuring thing in the toilet, don't put paper in it because you want credit for every ML of urine you produce! And did I mention walk? It's so easy. I was shocked that I was the only person walking around the floor. It really helps with that gas pain.

The morning after surgery I did a "water trial" where a member of the doc's team brought in two thimbles of Water. I had two hours to finish them and it took really about an hour. Go slowly. After that, I was not brought a tray of anything, just a FULL styrofoam cup of probably 20 oz of Water and was told "this is what is between here and home." It took me about 3 hours to drink it, and then I was finally discharged around 3PM. Walking around in CVS on the way home is when the farting began. It hasn't stopped but I'll tell you I have zero gas pains!

Get the liquid Tylenol. You will want it when you are home, even if just one incision hurts (I have five "stab wounds" and only one is really bothersome at all - and the liquid tylenol is enough.) Now I am home and am slowly sipping Premier Protien Clear (yum) and water (yum) all day. TIP: Don't buy the orange Protein water sold at Target, order the Premier Protein clear online. They are vastly different.

TL:DR? You will fart a lot. That's good. You will burp a lot. That's fine. WALK A LOT. Stand up a lot. You'll do great.

Ask me anything!

Thanks for the share!

[Cloudburst 14]

How is riding in the car? I am worried because have to make a two hour drive home after I get released from the hospital.

[kakatlady612 1,053]

If it were me, I'd get out half way home, take a rest stop and walk around. Failing that while sitting, I'd do ankle pumps, move your toes up and down to prevent blood clots. I won't have a 2 hour trip home,but my own will be at least an l hour. Be sure to,wear your TED or compression stockings. Best wishes.

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