So as my day is coming closer and closer I’m running around trying to decide what I need to get to be ready for that amazing day.

What are some of the things that looking back after your surgery that you couldn’t live without post surgery in the hospital and right afterwards.

I am hoping that this will help all who have not had the surgery be able to learn from those who have had it.

What made post surgery easier for you ? What was your can’t live without items?

Edited June 7, 20188 yr by Oceanlove

On 6/9/2018 at 9:16 AM, Screwballski said:

On 6/7/2018 at 10:15 AM, Matt Z said:

In what world does “inaccurate info “beat the ants off of not having any at all”?! It’s the same darn thing.

It's ***ALWAYS*** better to have SOMETHING rather than NOTHING in regards to trend tracking. If you believe that Zero information is the same as SOME information... well, that's a whole different conversation.

Think of it this way.
If I didn't know the starting measurement for something... anything.
And I kept tracking measurements of that thing daily, even if my instrument wasn't 100% accurate.
And every day I see that there is a decrease in whatever I'm measuring, and that number continues to decrease... that proves that the trend is a decline. Doesn't matter what the actual numbers are, if the **TREND** is showing a decrease, then that's what's happening.
Taking measurements at the same time everyday helps reduce variations in measurement.
Doing the same things before taking the measurements, ensuring that all variables have been reduce to the bare minimum, helps reduce variations in measurement.
Reducing variables to their minimums, reducing variations to their minimums, keeping all constants the same, all these things help to provide the best possible trend data.
So yes, having SOME information, even if it's not 100% accurate, is much more beneficial than not having any information at all.
And to be honest, the variations we are talking about here are negligible for our purposes.

On 6/7/2018 at 6:45 AM, Matt Z said:

Oh and Oceanlove if you don't have one, and are looking for a scale, drop the extra coin and save yourself some sanity and get a scale that tracks body fat % as well. Trust me, this extra metric has really quelled my frustrations during stalls... seeing the weight not move sucks, knowing body fat % is dropping even though the weight isn't as really saved me from going crazy!

At this point I just have a regular scale. Today is my 5th week post op. I still have only lost 12 pounds. I feel like starving myself. Here I went through the rigors of major surgery to lose only 12 pounds. Oh what fun.

44oz Fake Yeti from Walmart......

Two a day of water......

On 6/10/2018 at 3:01 PM, Blondietex said:

OMG, I watched 2 seasons of Bake-Off as well. Had no desire for food, but was perfect mental speed that first week.

I constantly watch Crock-Pot recipe videos on YouTube.... lol...have yet to cook one....

On 09/06/2018 at 3:49 AM, susunorm said:

Did anyone find it difficult to sleep in bed? Or would a recliner help for the first couple of weeks?

I ended up sleeping in a chair on and off for two months. It was just weird pains and also reflux like symptoms. I would not buy a recliner though!

@Oceanlove

My sleeve was 5/31

the Gas-x chewables saves me daily I still have gas two weeks out ! Hubby couldn’t find the strips either but the chewables worked fine for me

I ended up sleeping in a chair on and off for two months. It was just weird pains and also reflux like symptoms. I would not buy a recliner though!

I had my surgery 6/4/2018. Last night was the first I stayed in bed all night. Can be rough to get comfortable.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using BariatricPal mobile app

For your surgery, something to walk the halls of the hospital in, a charger for your phone and a chapstick. Seriously, that's it. You'll get all the other stuff you need from the hospital and you'll be discharged before you know it anyway. Gas X doesn't help with the kind of gas pains you get from laparoscopic surgery, so I knew I didn't need that. Those dry mouth sprays are nasty to me, so I just drank water when my mouth felt dry (win/win!). I would never take my own pillow to the hospital (staph/strep/pseudomonas/MRSA/other ick) so I just asked for extras until I was comfortable.

At home, you need to drink water and protein drinks, so having a couple of options to choose from is great. You need a reliable scale, I opted to spend the $$ to get one that synchs with my Fitbit, so I have a record of every time I stepped on the darned thing. A couple of water bottles that make you happy are nice to have...I filled a gallon container every day, still do, and made finishing that my goal. You won't be able to do it for the first few weeks, but it was nice to be able to just look at it to know how much I'd had that day.

Things I wish I hadn't wasted money on: a Nutribullet (which I used for a month and haven't touched since) , tons of different protein powders (I found the ONE and threw the rest out, should have tried them individually or a couple at a time), too many protein bars, too many clothes in the early months.

Mostly, you need supportive people and a realistic idea of what the immediate post-op period is going to be like Good luck!

Heating pad

Lip balm
Breath spray
A robe (I had a catheter in so I couldn’t wear pants for when your walking the halls no one needed to see my tush)
Ear buds (again for when your walking laps)
Crocs ( again for walking the halls easy on and off and nonslip)

A pillow!!!   Even if you don’t really use it while in the hospital you will definitely need it for the car ride home (I swear my mother hit every pothole and went over every railroad track my city has!)

2 hours ago, amanda_davis1983 said:

A pillow!!! Even if you don’t really use it while in the hospital you will definitely need it for the car ride home (I swear my mother hit every pothole and went over every railroad track my city has!)

Def a pillow! I had a 3.5 hour drive, and I think my husband hit every pot hole in IL as well.

Sugar free ice pops saved my life

I bought a smart water bottle to track my water intake

On 6/15/2018 at 6:29 AM, amanda_davis1983 said:

Lip balm
Breath spray
A robe (I had a catheter in so I couldn’t wear pants for when your walking the halls no one needed to see my tush)
Ear buds (again for when your walking laps)
Crocs ( again for walking the halls easy on and off and nonslip)

A pillow!!! Even if you don’t really use it while in the hospital you will definitely need it for the car ride home (I swear my mother hit every pothole and went over every railroad track my city has!)

Yeah I’m sure I’m going to think exactly the same when my drive home starts. 2 long hours

On June 7, 2018 at 7:18 AM, Bryn910 said:

Plastic condiment containers; I am on soft food and only allowed 1-2 ounces of food at a time

Do you mean those mustard and relish containers used by restaurants? I'm confused.