I’m learning a lot from reading others posts and also learning that sometimes doctors don’t 100% prepare us for our return home I’m thinking it’s because they don’t know first hand what it’s like to recover from WLS? I dunno, whatever the reason it’d be nice to have this post to refer to when I’m post-op (I’m getting roux en y gastric bypass)

So, give me all your best tips for recovery and necessities. What did you need and wish you had readily available? Thanks in advance!!!

I found it helpful to have a small table next to my bed with water, my doctor’s notes, medicines, cell phone with long charging cord, pen. It was helpful to keep track of when I took which medicine, how much I ate or drank, etc.

I used the alarm on my cell phone quite a bit: at first to wake me up to take pain medicines to stay ahead of my pain. Later, to time 30 minutes between drinking and eating.

On 04/30/2022 at 08:18, Spinoza said:

Can you arrange some help around the home for the first week or so (especially since you have small children)? That would be a godsend. Otherwise, I second having some different kinds of clear fluids available - I drank vegetable bouillon a *LOT* in the Clear Liquids phase. And herbal teas - plain Water was so samey and I liked warm fluids much better than cold for those first couple of weeks, and seemed to be able to drink them more steadily. Best of luck - I think you're doing this at a fantastic time - my only regret re WLS is not having done it 15 years earlier so I could do more things with my children when they were small.

My partner will be taking two weeks off of work thankfully! He is trying for 3 but I think that’ll be too much lol. Thanks so much for tips on herbal teas! I will definitely stock up on my favorites.
My greatest driving force in all of this is 100% my children! I want to be able to do all of the things and not feel like my body is falling apart after.

What a great thread!! Thanks so much for all of the tips everyone! Keep them coming!

I ghave two cats so had to hold a pillow day and night to protect tummy from their pounce. Recliner or bed. My son stayed with me three days after 2 nights in hospital. The fifth day I no longer took pain meds. Having your sippy cup, timer, liquids, protein drinks ready for the liquid diet. When getting groceries for puree stage fatigue hit. Get just a few groceries at a time due to low food input-low energy reserves. I was so shocked at the low level. Bonus was more chances of exercise, walking around store.

Electric Heated blanket gave me so much comfort my first week and anytime I had an upset stomach

I used the wedge pillow and spanx. Weirdly, not so weird, I had trouble getting up from the teeny tiny toddler size toilet installed in our 400 square foot apartment (landlord idea). So I bought a medical plastic tall seat for the seat. Best 20$ spent ever (before inflation).