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Preperation for Surgery Suggetions



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Preparing for surgery can be a scary ordeal. I have been nervous.. So, Here is a list of items that might help to have ready when you get home to make life a little easier during recovery. If any others have some ideas and suggestions, please share them! this is what has helped me get prepared for May 6.

Medicinal:

liquid Tylenol (they make adult strength)

Chewable or liquid gas-x

Gauze Pads 4x4

Paper tape

Stool Softener

Pill cutter

Chewable Vitamins

Benedryl cream (suggested for those who have a slight allergy to gauze tape)

Clothing:

Loose waisted shorts or sweats

For the ladies, a sports bra, no under wires

Slip-on shoes

Comfort items:

Heating pad

Flexible ice pack

A few books or movies

Pillow for car rides to guard against seatbelt irritation

Wet Wipes

Chapstick/carmex

Food/Kitchen items:

Protein shakes

Flavored Water

A good blender and/or a drink mixer

broth

sugar free popsicles/jello

Kitchen timer ( for the first few days - 15 minute sips intervals)

Crystal Light "On the GO" add to bottled Water mix

Gatorade

Bouillon

Cream of Wheat

Creamy Soups

Applesauce

Yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit

Ensure, Boost, Glucerna etc

Frozen fruits for Protein Shakes

Small pudding cups

Small baby spoons/bowls/plates (baby aile)

4 oz cups with lids (baby aile)

Suggested list of things to have done before you leave:

All laundry finished to ensure lots of clean clothes for a while.

Having someone who is able to be there for a few days to handle meal prep.

Ask at your pre-op for the pain med prescription so you can have it all ready to go when you get home.

Get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital .

Make sure you have lots of fluids to drink afterwards - and for when you go back to work.

Buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery.

Check if your medications are “crushable”.

Edited by karebare4me

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Great list Karebare! I printed this out as a reference. Thanks!

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Karebare4me -You Rock! I can tell you are anxious and excited to get this show on the road. thanks for all the great info you have been providing!

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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💪
      · 0 replies
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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