Preparation suggestions for surgery

[Firefly]

Preparing for surgery can be a scary ordeal. Here is a list of items to take with you and to have ready when you get home to make life a little easier during recovery. If any other bandsters have some ideas and suggestions, please share them!

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

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

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”.

[Idahobeauty]

Sara, thanks for this it will come in handy when the day comes. I will print this out and put it on the fridge for my big day!!!

[NotSoFunny]

sugar free hard candy is also a god-send. Sherri shared her sugar free lifesavers with me in the hospital. It helped get rid of the gassy taste in my mouth.

[Diva]

May I suggest a lovely Fleet enema the night before? I can't prove it but I think it helped with gas. I had no gas at all except for a very small backache in the small of my back for 3 days. That is it. I think it also helped with the lack of constipation (what a lovely post this is).
BTW check w/ your surgeon if you are being glued or not. I had bought a lot of hypo-allergenic tape and gauze and never used it once. I was glued shut.
One last thing-for newbies getting banded: use the list as a guideline, check with your hospital and surgeon. Different strokes for different folks.
But it is by far the best list I've seen.

[Barb]

May I suggest a lovely Fleet enema the night before? I can't prove it but I think it helped with gas. I had no gas at all except for a very small backache in the small of my back for 3 days. That is it. I think it also helped with the lack of constipation (what a lovely post this is).
BTW check w/ your surgeon if you are being glued or not. I had bought a lot of hypo-allergenic tape and gauze and never used it once. I was glued shut.
One last thing-for newbies getting banded: use the list as a guideline, check with your hospital and surgeon. Different strokes for different folks.
But it is by far the best list I've seen.

Hmmm lovely and enema in the same sentence...isn't that an oxy-moron???? LOL:dizzy:

Glue---did it come off all by itself?

[503-250]

I highly recommend something to entertain yourself the next day. I was awake most of the night (I shared a room with a crazy older gentlemen who was yelling most of the night. I brought my Sony PSP with me and played video games with my headphones on to pass the time, then listened to music to get me moving. I was up and walking about twice as much as they advised just because I was bored and wanted to walk off the gas pain (it's not as bad as some people say).

I also have severe gout, so I had them put the IV into the hand that was swollen to the size of the moon so I had use of my good hand. Something to think about when they are wiring you all up.

[Diva]

The glue kind of sloughs off. I still have a tiny bit around the port area.

[LapBandit]

Sara, you're list was spot on. The only thing I'll add is...make sure you take a "before" shot and perhaps your measurements. I didn't do this and kicked myself until my surgeon's office was nice enough to give me a copy of the photos they took. No one likes having their photo taken when they're at their biggest weight but once you start slimming down...you'll want to compare!

[chattanoogabrat]

Hello All,

I have spent alot of time reading your posts today and have got alot of good ideas that I was not aware of such as getting your pain meds filled since alot of Pharmacies don't stock them.


Also what to be prepared with? But can someone explain to me why we need heat pad and what does it do?

I am a excited and scared at the same time I have never had a surgery and the part about being put to sleep. I know I will be fine but it the time before surgery gives me alot of time to think.

My surgery date is September 29th performed by Dr Walter Rose at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga TN at 10 am. Should be home the day day.

Tomorrow I go for all my preop testing and the upper GI. After that test don't think there is anything else I need to do at least that I am aware of at the moment lol

But this board is really helping to stay occupied and learining alot.

For those that have upcoming surgery my prayers and thoughts go out to you.

If there is any tips or suggestions you think I should know feel to email me or send them on here is great.

Thanks for making me feel so welcomed :phone:

[Goannabanda]

chatanoogabrat - good luck with your surgery, and welcome!

To do a laprascopic surgery, your abdomen will be pumped up with inert gas. This allows the surgeon space to work within without having to cut a wide incision. After surgery, some gas gets trapped inside your body, and often causes pain in the shoulders. It goes away after a couple of days, by which time the body adsorbs the gas into the bloodstream, and ultimately expels it.

The heat pad is to help relieve the shoulder pain.

["Just Jess"]

I've printed out the list as well!! THANKS SO MUCH, Sara!! ;)

[rkincaid]

This is a realllllly good list. Lots of things on here I'd thought of, and some that I havent. God willing I get approved for the band, I'll be printing this baby out! :D

[Pouncey]

Can some people get this kind of surgery with the incision instead of being gassed up?

[ginabobina]

Hi Pouncey, I believe they sometimes have to change over to using a larger incision but it sounds rare. The larger the incision, the larger the chance of wound-related complications such as infection and wound hernia. Laparascopic surgery was pretty much developed to reduce those risks... operating times are shorter and recovery time improves significantly. Dealing with the gas after surgery is uncomfortable and painful for some while others have no trouble. I'm waiting for the LapBand but I had my gallbladder out 5 years ago laparascopically... I was one who did not have any gas pain at all. I would happily risk the gas pain though to avoid the huge vertical incision they use on some kinds of weight loss surgeries. Good luck to you and welcome if you're new!

[Crystal_Field]

Pouncy,
Gina is absolutely right. But you've got me curious: would you WANT an "open" procedure instead of laproscopic surgery??

[cathy]

Wanted to add a couple of times to the list that I found helpful.

If you are spending the night in the hospital, wear a zipper-front gown/robe instead of a regular gown. They will want to check your incisions and they may give you heparin (sp?) shots, which go in the stomach. It is nice to be just be able to zip open!

Also, get some candles or air freshener, especially for the bathroom!! :)

[Blueyz083]

Thanks for making this list... I am sure it will be very helpful to have around when my big day comes.... April 13!!!

[Pamla]

I print this list periodically, waiting....

[Debra07]

Thanks Sara !! Im headed to Wal-mart Like I need an excuse to shop!! Im not sure of my date yet , and Im not patient at all. But sometime in June. Talk more later
Debra07

[ginabobina]

I'm 10 days from surgery and trying to get prepared - wanted to share another recommendation I got... bring underwear a size too big because you'll be a bit bloated after surgery and will not want something tight. I'm hoping to find a comfy bra too, which is an oxymoron!

[brwneyedbeauty]

Thanks for all the awesome tips:-)

Hugs,
brwneyedbeauty

surgery date:
7/16/07

[Belinda L]

Nope - don't worry about the comfy bra. One of the incisions is right where your bra comes across in the front soooooo -- you won't want to put one on for a few days. Just wear a really loose top.

[Laceyedwards]

My surgery is Monday July 30 @ Dayone Health in Chicago with Dr. Shayani. I've read the prep thread and this helps alot.
Wish me luck.
Miss Lacey

[spag1952]

Sooo glad I found this post, sara. This is the most useful post I've seen since I started checking out band boards. THANKS A BUNCH.

[Firefly]

Nope - don't worry about the comfy bra. One of the incisions is right where your bra comes across in the front soooooo -- you won't want to put one on for a few days. Just wear a really loose top.

Well the place is a little different for everyone, and even if it's rather close, some people have to wear a bra anyway just because, so it's much better to wear a comfy, loose fitting bra than one with underwires that will poke the incision.

You're welcome guys, I'm glad this is helping you all :)

[MoOrLess]

Sara - your list was awesome! I printed it out and marched out to the store with it. I also bought:
Benadryl Cream (for itchy tape marks)
personal battery operated fan (for HOT hospital rooms) and at home
Chewable vitamins

again, love your list - thanks!

[MSGirl]

What a great list!! I have been looking for something like this. As far as food needed after surgery, I just didn't have a clue as to what kind of "stock" foods I would need. Thanks so much for the post!!!

[Debbie in GA]

Thank you for the list. I am trying to be as prepared as possible. I want this to be a succesful journey for me and how I begin will be so important.

[WendyNY]

how fantastic are you for putting that list up!! I cant tell you how much that will help. I have had so many mixed stories and so many people dont know what to use afterwards but you have just made it so easy for me, Thank You!! I was worried about what to get. The week before your surgery what did you drink as far as liquids?
Thanks for your input- Wendy

[Slim]

wow, great list. Im pre op, and I am now working off the list to get everything. Im having trouble finding adult strength liquid tylenol. Any advise where to find this?
Rich

["Just" Paul]

I've found it at CVS drugstores.

[Kathy]

wow, great list. Im pre op, and I am now working off the list to get everything. Im having trouble finding adult strength liquid tylenol. Any advise where to find this?
Rich

I found it packaged as "Tylenol Sore Throat". It's 500mg/15ml Acetaminophen. I either got it at Wal Mart or Food Lion. Good Luck!

[Slim]

Thanks Kathy, I will look at WalMart.

Rich

[sassy46545]

Walmart Pharmacy carries it. Walgreens, CVS .. I've never had trouble finding it.

Good luck Rich and welcome to the B2G family

Tracy

[Ladyk]

Thank you all so much your notes have helped me so much having Lapband on March 10th 2008, cannot wait, I suffer from IBS and the thought of Gas scares me to death but I will make it through I am sure. Will try the procedure empting out the night before

God Bless you all.

[skagitnurse]

My loan was just approved and I have had my surgery consult. Now I need the Psych Eval and tests and I'll be set. How exciting it feels to have this happening, I was so happy to read all the posts and feel like I'll be part of something. The list is absolutely fabulous!!!! Can't wait to set the date.:sun_smiley:

[mimi r]

Walmart; in adult aspiring section.

[mimi r]

Sorry, ASPIRIN section.

[speck634]

Hi,

This is my first post and want to say thank you for this list.

My surgery is scheduled for the second week of September and I look forward to meeting new friends here.

Sandra

[Nuttinbutasmile]

Wow what a great list....I am browsing this site since I'm new, and I must say the catchier the header title the more I want to read...........thank you thank Sara. I don't have a surgery date yet, but I am determined to be as prepared as best I can. This was the awesome!

[Firefly]

I'm glad this old threat is still getting some good use :)

[--SPEED--]

I dont know about the rest of you but I LOVE being knocked out ! I guess because I have such a hard time sleeping as it is... so when they put me under its like a super power nap !! ha ha ha.... but thats me :)

[christie]

I hadn't heard about the 15 minute sip interval. What's that about?

[christie]

So, we're not allowed to take liquid ibuprofin, right?

[christie]

Yes, this list is still getting used! And thanks for making it. I just added these items to my shopping list.

[mzmaderia]

Preparing for surgery can be a scary ordeal. Here is a list of items to take with you and to have ready when you get home to make life a little easier during recovery. If any other bandsters have some ideas and suggestions, please share them!

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

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

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”.
This is so helpful and easier for me to shop buy thanks

[Laurel86]

I love this! I will definately print this out so I have it in 2 weeks when I get banded! =)

[AZGRAMS]

I just made myself a tickler factory chart... Cut it and now where do i paste it?

[AZGRAMS]

Thx for the necessary list. I copied it and now ready for 3/26th...banding..

[Lora-Luv]

Hello all- I am ready for my surgery 5-27 8:00am !!!! --- BUT---- I am having the hardest time with the-liver shrinking diet. I have called the nutritionist and Dr. and they say the same thing, "you must follow it." 4 High protien shakes a day and 1 wieght watcher meal or lien cusine meal. But I am so hungry all the time I keep eating stuff. A protien bar, a can or chicken noodle soup, some brocolli - I have lost 2 lbs of wieght, I am getting down in the dumps- Any advice????

[redgrldj]

Don't get stressed.. Slow down and enjoy your shake.. Ice it down.. Blend it with ice to make it thicker.. I think you are doing the "I am never going to eat again panic".. Just so you know, you will be able to eat again and able to eat most if not all the foods you do now.. It will just be in smaller amounts.. So if you get the urge to grab food, pick up the phone and call someone, go for a walk, go take a shower.. Do something else for a few minutes the craving will go away...

[MoOrLess]

Hello all- I am ready for my surgery 5-27 8:00am !!!! --- BUT---- I am having the hardest time with the-liver shrinking diet. I have called the nutritionist and Dr. and they say the same thing, "you must follow it." 4 High protien shakes a day and 1 wieght watcher meal or lien cusine meal. But I am so hungry all the time I keep eating stuff. A protien bar, a can or chicken noodle soup, some brocolli - I have lost 2 lbs of wieght, I am getting down in the dumps- Any advice????

Lora, I think Pattie hit it on the head! Just remember, you can't honestly shrink your liver all that much in this short time (my surgeon's opinion) but it will help to cleanse your body AND help you to shrink your stomach a bit--this is all about making sure there is enough room for your doctor to get around your stomach to get that band to fit just right! You don't want to mess that up or you won't get a band.

I'm not sure what kind of protein shakes you're having but be sure to make them thick, just like Pattie said - you can add fruit to them (if your doctor allows that - to make them more filling) and drink a LOT of water in between meals --

if you start practicing bandster ways now you should wait a half hour before and after meals (when banded this will keep you from flushing your food out of your stomach too fast-which then makes you hungry too soon), get some exercise, and keep busy! Being banded will be a lot like now - protein shakes at first and then slowly introducing other foods...if you are fortunate you will have some feeling of restriction due to swelling from the surgery itself - but if not then the majority of it will be about mind over matter.

Hang in there - remember this isn't forever and it WILL get you your band! Congrats on making such a great decision to be healthier!

[firefighter30603]

I just found this post and I love the list. I copied it and pasted it into a word document and I am going to add to it as I think of other things. I've got 5 months to prep!!

[craftyknitter33]

Thanks for the great list !!
I am starting the process to get "banded"
I will be adding this list to my stack of important papers :)

[curliesue]

i never even thought about the laundry. thanks one more thing to keep me busy while on pre op day number 11. only 3 days to go!!

[catmom50]

This is a great post. I have printed the lists out to have, even though I am 4-5 months away from getting banded. More info the better

[Kate]

After my surgery, the best thing for me was a cami with a shelf bra. The gas pains were in my left shoulder and mid-back area. Had I had a regular bra on, I'm not sure the Tylenol would have helped. :ohwell:

I wore it right after surgery as PJs with cotton stretch shorts (very loose) and for the first week after surgery.

[uws09]

Sara,

THANK YOU for this great list! I am getting prepared for my surgery on January 7th. This list is like a finding a pot of gold.

:signthankspin:

Donna

[miraclebella]

Preparing for surgery can be a scary ordeal. Here is a list of items to take with you and to have ready when you get home to make life a little easier during recovery. If any other bandsters have some ideas and suggestions, please share them!

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

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

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”.
this is extremely helpful thanks

[skinny?PLEASE!]

I have 2 weeks till my surgery thanks so much for this list... I'm almost all ready!

[PuppyBandit]

I think diff people have diff levels of pain with the shoulder gas, the poster who said it's not so bad was lucky lol. It all depends on how much is left in the body after surgery.

[Katiegirl]

I will be banded on January 25th and I am super nervous! I notice something that people keep referring to on this site.. pb? I'm assuming its not good.. I have so many questions about the recovery and how does it seriously change your life? Like I mean in the mechanical day to day things? How many times a day will I need to eat? Do you guys ever get super hungry? Thanks :)

[MommaStone]

Katiegirl -- Congrats on your surgery date. This is a great site, with tons of good info.

PB's = Productive Burping, although burping is a misnomer in my mind. Basically, what you just ate comes sliding out (usually with a lot of slime). This happens when you eat too fast, don't chew well enough, eat something that isn't going to go through the restricted opening. (Usually have to have a fair amount of restriction before you get a PB). Usually don't get much warning but a tightness in your chest and you can start to feel the slime forming in your throat.

As my doc told me, it happens to everyone but is one of the best teachers in how to follow the rules : )

[JayCee]

Okay folks, this is it. My surgery is tomorrow! WHAT AM I DOING? You can see that I am now anxious about this life change and that I am so brain fogged by the 2 week liquid diet people are asking me what is wrong with me.
I keep telling my self I can do this but I do want to thank all of you on this forum, especially Mo and the faithful others who post and help all of us "newbies". I have learned a lot about this entire process in the past several months and I feel prepared for tomorrow. I will post from the other side of "Band Land"
Jan

[lapellen]

Best of luck tomorrow, Jaycee. Is Dr. Voellinger doing yours? I had my surgery last Thursday morning. They must just do these on Thursdays. Mine was at Presbyterian Midtown Surgery Center. Everyone was really nice there. I was really nervous, too. But I did it! Again, good luck. I'll be thinking about you.

[JayCee]

Well, I made it folks. I did have surgery with Dr. V from Southeast Bariatrics and had my surgery at Midtown Center. What a wonderful staff! They said I was an amazing patient and was home by 1:30. I am so thirsty but limited to 2 oz of clear liquid every hour. I have been on the treadmill at a very slow pace but the gas is beginning to cause some discomfort. I still can't believe that after this long period of preparation I am now banded and on the journey to wellness. Thank you all for your support and encouragement, even if you didn't know you were giving it! Will check in as the journey goes on....
Jan

[MommaStone]

Jan

This is super! Congrats and welcome to the land of the banded!

[blu]

This list is awesome! Thanks Thanks Thanks! I went shopping this weekend to finalize all my preparations for the big day and I took this list with me. The bra suggestion was also great as I never even gave underclothes a second thought and I didn't own any without wires until now :D

Laundry done
Kitty's litterbox is as clean as it was since the first time I bought it heeheehee
Prescriptions are filled and ready
and a big box of "acceptable" food stuffs for the first 3 weeks

One thing I added was a maternity full body, double-sided pillow (http://www.amazon.com/Todays-Mom-Comfort-Pregnancy-Pillow/dp/B001A0M3LI/ref=pd_sbs_ba_2), I tend to be a very reckless sleeper, tossing and turning and twisting a lot. I am definitely not pregnant, but I figured this will help me stay snuggled on one side and in one spot while my incisions heal. And since my belly will be a bit bloated anyway...
Will let you guys know how well it worked.

[bipsa]

Preparing for such a surgery indeed scares people a lot, you information was quite helpful for me in arranging for lap band surgery, particularly for the diet which is a major concern for my grand father. He recovered very soon & things were all easy.

[missionhealthy]

This list is great. I'm scheduled for surgery on July 11 and will be prepared. Thank you for all your advise and help. It is greatly appreciated.

[MommaStone]

Terri

I'm confused, you didn't have surgery today did you?

[Cheroo]

Thanks Firefly for this wonderful list. I have been checking off items over the last few days. Monday Oct 24, 2011 is my surgery date. It has been a great support to have this list!
Cheroo

[ingy]

Thanks for this great list my surgery is scheduled for April 3 and this is going to be a tremendous help.