I have just completed my week 1 post-op. This can be a very challenging time, so I thought I would add some tips that were given to me from others who have gone through weight-loss surgery.
What to have at the hospital-
chapstick
sleep shorts
slippers
female needs-if you are anywhere close to your period
Pretty much everything else you will need is going to be given to you by the hospital. These 3 items are really the only items I actually used from home- I added the female items because lucky me ACTUALLY started THE day of surgery right after I got out from recovery. Good things I had thought to bring my tampons. The hospital did have large pads to use, but once the catheter was removed, I found tampons from home much more comfortable. I also brought my laptop, but found myself asleep everytime I tried to do something on it, my suggestion, leave it home!
What to expect-
You will probably not remember much of anything the day of surgery. Do not expect to have the alertness to take phone calls for a few days. I spoke to most of my family over the few days post-op but, I actually do not remember much of what was said. You will be pretty groggy because of the meds they give you, as well as the anesthesia. Recovery will give you pain meds, as well as anti-nausea meds if needed.
You can expect to be put on a pain pump you can push every so often as needed. Do THIS....TRUST ME!!! I woke up on day after surgery, feeling fine because I apparently still have anesthesia in my system. I did not push my button all morning. Around noon, the anesthesia wore off, and then I had to catch the pain! Very painful lesson I don't care to repeat!
Imagine doing thousands of ab cruches at once, and the pain you will feel the day after.....that is pretty much what your abs will feel like after surgery. The pain will be mostly on the Left side, but I also had pain on my Right side because of gallbladder removal. You can also expect to have pain from trapped air for a few days. The pain will not be helped by the pain pump...this is where walking comes into play. Walking will move the air effectively. I also used the handle thing above my bed to lift my upper body and stretch it. It did help with moving air around.
You probably will not eat or drink anything the day of surgery. You will have a swallow study the day following surgery, the drink tastes aweful.....if you are all clear, you will be cleared for ice chips and then, later in the day, clear fluids. I did not do good with my ice, so I could not get more clear liquids until post-op day 2.
When they bring your 1st meal, you will be shocked! I took the lid off my plate to find a condiment cup with jello and a condiment cup half full of broth. You will have to eat it very s- l- o- w.
You will be given an incentive spirometer. My hospital had me use it 10 times an hour. You may also take it home to use during the first week.
TED hose- you will wake up with these on your legs. You get used to them. I will have to wear mine 6 weeks, be prepared to do the same if Dr. requires that. These help with blood clots.
Blood thinners-You will be given blood thinner before surgery and post-op for a couple of days. Mine were injected into my stomach. They don't feel good to get, but are essential to prevent clotting.
Because of the surgery, your bowel will get sluggish. If you do not produce bowel sounds, be prepared for rectal suppository. They will give you them every few hours until bowel starts producing sounds. If you do not produce a movement, be prepared for an enema. You cannot go home until your bowel is working. This may not be the case for band patients.
You may gain weight in the hospital. You have an IV attached for several days, you can expect that some of that is water that is not going to move through your sluggish system. I gained 12 pounds post op. They gave me lasix(sp?) to move the water and the pounds dropped. Don't worry if you show a gain for a few days! Your body will catch up!
You MAY go home with a drain. I had 2 drains post-op. One was pulled, the other I kept for a few days after I got home. Be prepared to empty it and keep track of amounts for the Dr. When the drain comes out, it is a strange feeling, but it is gone quickly and doesn't really hurt. In fact, mine was causing some pinching and when it was out, I felt relief.
When you go home, they will give you liquid pain reliever as well as acid reducer if you had a bypass. Take this as needed, but make sure to stay ahead of any pain for the first few days.
You will not be driving for the first week or so. As long as you are on your pain meds, you are not safe to drive.
Walk, Walk, Walk! I cannot tell you enough the importance of walking every hour. If you sit too long, you will get stiff.
Sip, Sip, Sip! You have to keep your water up, but will find it hard to get half of what you need in for your daily needs. It is important to sip every couple of minutes all waking hours.
Look at your thumb! If you had bypass, your stomach is now the size of your thumb! I made the mistake of thinking that licking a full sugar free popsicle slowly would be ok, however, it was 4 times the size of my thumb! I had a very miserable night! If the food is larger than your thumb, cut down your portion.
What to eat:
I had a friend suggest that I buy liquid protein shots at Walmart and use them to make your jello. I used water for the hot part, then, used protein liquid for the other half. I poured them into ice cube trays. I found I could eat 1 cube with each meal, along with my 2 T broth. It is a great way to sneak in some protein.
Make ice cubes from liquid protein and add to your water for a light flavor and a few added grams of protein.
Broth! This is your staple. Buy several flavors, but keep in mind you will not come close to using one can in your first week. You can always freeze leftover amounts for later use in soups.
Power Aid zero. I found it very sweet, so I watered it down at least 2/3 water. It was perfect for my changed tastes.
Crystal light-you will most likely find it very sweet. Water down as needed. I used 1/2 single packet for a 32 oz. water jug.
I am sure there are more tips, but I think I have covered the most important ones. Congrats on your surgery and best of luck! Remember, the pain is SOOO worth it in the end, and week one, really DOES fly by!
What to have at the hospital-
chapstick
sleep shorts
slippers
female needs-if you are anywhere close to your period
Pretty much everything else you will need is going to be given to you by the hospital. These 3 items are really the only items I actually used from home- I added the female items because lucky me ACTUALLY started THE day of surgery right after I got out from recovery. Good things I had thought to bring my tampons. The hospital did have large pads to use, but once the catheter was removed, I found tampons from home much more comfortable. I also brought my laptop, but found myself asleep everytime I tried to do something on it, my suggestion, leave it home!
What to expect-
You will probably not remember much of anything the day of surgery. Do not expect to have the alertness to take phone calls for a few days. I spoke to most of my family over the few days post-op but, I actually do not remember much of what was said. You will be pretty groggy because of the meds they give you, as well as the anesthesia. Recovery will give you pain meds, as well as anti-nausea meds if needed.
You can expect to be put on a pain pump you can push every so often as needed. Do THIS....TRUST ME!!! I woke up on day after surgery, feeling fine because I apparently still have anesthesia in my system. I did not push my button all morning. Around noon, the anesthesia wore off, and then I had to catch the pain! Very painful lesson I don't care to repeat!
Imagine doing thousands of ab cruches at once, and the pain you will feel the day after.....that is pretty much what your abs will feel like after surgery. The pain will be mostly on the Left side, but I also had pain on my Right side because of gallbladder removal. You can also expect to have pain from trapped air for a few days. The pain will not be helped by the pain pump...this is where walking comes into play. Walking will move the air effectively. I also used the handle thing above my bed to lift my upper body and stretch it. It did help with moving air around.
You probably will not eat or drink anything the day of surgery. You will have a swallow study the day following surgery, the drink tastes aweful.....if you are all clear, you will be cleared for ice chips and then, later in the day, clear fluids. I did not do good with my ice, so I could not get more clear liquids until post-op day 2.
When they bring your 1st meal, you will be shocked! I took the lid off my plate to find a condiment cup with jello and a condiment cup half full of broth. You will have to eat it very s- l- o- w.
You will be given an incentive spirometer. My hospital had me use it 10 times an hour. You may also take it home to use during the first week.
TED hose- you will wake up with these on your legs. You get used to them. I will have to wear mine 6 weeks, be prepared to do the same if Dr. requires that. These help with blood clots.
Blood thinners-You will be given blood thinner before surgery and post-op for a couple of days. Mine were injected into my stomach. They don't feel good to get, but are essential to prevent clotting.
Because of the surgery, your bowel will get sluggish. If you do not produce bowel sounds, be prepared for rectal suppository. They will give you them every few hours until bowel starts producing sounds. If you do not produce a movement, be prepared for an enema. You cannot go home until your bowel is working. This may not be the case for band patients.
You may gain weight in the hospital. You have an IV attached for several days, you can expect that some of that is water that is not going to move through your sluggish system. I gained 12 pounds post op. They gave me lasix(sp?) to move the water and the pounds dropped. Don't worry if you show a gain for a few days! Your body will catch up!
You MAY go home with a drain. I had 2 drains post-op. One was pulled, the other I kept for a few days after I got home. Be prepared to empty it and keep track of amounts for the Dr. When the drain comes out, it is a strange feeling, but it is gone quickly and doesn't really hurt. In fact, mine was causing some pinching and when it was out, I felt relief.
When you go home, they will give you liquid pain reliever as well as acid reducer if you had a bypass. Take this as needed, but make sure to stay ahead of any pain for the first few days.
You will not be driving for the first week or so. As long as you are on your pain meds, you are not safe to drive.
Walk, Walk, Walk! I cannot tell you enough the importance of walking every hour. If you sit too long, you will get stiff.
Sip, Sip, Sip! You have to keep your water up, but will find it hard to get half of what you need in for your daily needs. It is important to sip every couple of minutes all waking hours.
Look at your thumb! If you had bypass, your stomach is now the size of your thumb! I made the mistake of thinking that licking a full sugar free popsicle slowly would be ok, however, it was 4 times the size of my thumb! I had a very miserable night! If the food is larger than your thumb, cut down your portion.
What to eat:
I had a friend suggest that I buy liquid protein shots at Walmart and use them to make your jello. I used water for the hot part, then, used protein liquid for the other half. I poured them into ice cube trays. I found I could eat 1 cube with each meal, along with my 2 T broth. It is a great way to sneak in some protein.
Make ice cubes from liquid protein and add to your water for a light flavor and a few added grams of protein.
Broth! This is your staple. Buy several flavors, but keep in mind you will not come close to using one can in your first week. You can always freeze leftover amounts for later use in soups.
Power Aid zero. I found it very sweet, so I watered it down at least 2/3 water. It was perfect for my changed tastes.
Crystal light-you will most likely find it very sweet. Water down as needed. I used 1/2 single packet for a 32 oz. water jug.
I am sure there are more tips, but I think I have covered the most important ones. Congrats on your surgery and best of luck! Remember, the pain is SOOO worth it in the end, and week one, really DOES fly by!
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