Hey guys, so I’ve finally completed all the requirements and I’m set to have surgery at the end of the month. I’ve been hearing a lot of different stories. Any tips or suggestions they don’t tell you?

Congrats on completing the obstacle course and best wishes for a smooth/uneventful surgery and recovery!

They won't tell you that in the beginning, you may go home from the hospital weighing more than you went in. If you're not prepared, that can be a big kick in the **** (fill in any appropriately tender region.) Because of all the fluids they pump into you in the hospital and the swelling from surgery, it can take nearly a month to get below your surgery weight. It may be you, it may not, but just know that it's normal. It may also take that long for the pants you wore before surgery to stop being tight. It's due to swelling; it will go away.

You will really, really, really not feel like walking the hospital halls at 2 am. after surgery. Do it anyway. You lower your risk of blood clots and reduce the pain from gas that they use to "inflate" your belly to have room to operate.

Drinking water, in the beginning, is difficult for most. You need to sip constantly all day to take in enough water so that you don't end up back in the ER on an IV. Have a variety of liquids available at home because what tastes good now may make you gag later. Also, try a variety of temperatures. Sometimes cold liquids go down best, other times hot or room temperature. Have sugar-free popsicles on hand. Protein shakes may seem too thick. It's ok to thin them with skim milk or water. Count all these toward your liquid total. You may count drinks like protein shakes toward both your liquid and your protein total for the day.

I hope I haven't totally scared the hooey out of you. This is one of the best decisions I ever made. But in this area, Google is your friend. Research, question, read.

One more thing, all of us here are just random, anonymous people on the internet. Use your good sense when you get advice (mine included) and check it out for yourself.

Good luck!

Edited November 10, 20187 yr by Orchids&Dragons

1 hour ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

Congrats on completing the obstacle course and best wishes for a smooth/uneventful surgery and recovery!

They won't tell you that in the beginning, you may go home from the hospital weighing more than you went in. If you're not prepared, that can be a big kick in the **** (fill in any appropriately tender region.) Because of all the fluids they pump into you in the hospital and the swelling from surgery, it can take nearly a month to get below your surgery weight. It may be you, it may not, but just know that it's normal. It may also take that long for the pants you wore before surgery to stop being tight. It's due to swelling; it will go away.

You will really, really, really not feel like walking the hospital halls at 2 am. after surgery. Do it anyway. You lower your risk of blood clots and reduce the pain from gas that they use to "inflate" your belly to have room to operate.

Drinking Water, in the beginning, is difficult for most. You need to sip constantly all day to take in enough water so that you don't end up back in the ER on an IV. Have a variety of liquids available at home because what tastes good now may make you gag later. Also, try a variety of temperatures. Sometimes cold liquids go down best, other times hot or room temperature. Have sugar-free popsicles on hand. Protein Shakes may seem too thick. It's ok to thin them with skim milk or water. Count all these toward your liquid total. You may count drinks like Protein shakes toward both your liquid and your protein total for the day.

I hope I haven't totally scared the hooey out of you. This is one of the best decisions I ever made. But in this area, Google is your friend. Research, question, read.

One more thing, all of us here are just random, anonymous people on the internet. Use your good sense when you get advice (mine included) and check it out for yourself.

Good luck!

excellent post on all accounts-I was discharged today. I am 2 days post op.. Yep! I weigh 15 pounds more than I did on Thursday. I didn't think it would take a month to come back off, but that's all good to know too LOL.. The gas.. Irritable at least.. I am lucky and not in pain, just irritated by the amount of gas and the liquids trying to bypass the gas in your throat LOL.. Passing gas on the other side.. it seems like its gonna happen, then if I am not in my bathroom, outside, or somewhere its an automatic stop LOL.. I am at my sons right now and I think he would kill me if I passed gas on his new 3000.00 couch LOLOL.. Anyways, other than walking, and I try to walk every 2 hours outside down the block a bit and back.. Its also slow go. The pace I find is almost non existent so I need to push that up a little to make it more of an effort to walk at a normal pace again. I give myself a week to be walking back to a normal pace LOL.

Be prepared for your monthly cycle to show up right on spot.. day of surgery LOL.. God Help me! Sure did! but then Surgery actually halted it for a day and a half till I was ready to come home ,then it started flowing normal again..

Edited November 10, 20187 yr by Jazzy1125