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| Advice to pre-ops: 1. Ask your surgeon (and anesthesiologist) some "what-ifs." -What if I can't sleep at the hospital - can I get something to help me? -What if I'm allergic to the pain medication? What will be our second option? 2. Find out if they routinely have recliners in the hospital rooms. Many people feel more comforatable in a recliner than in a regular chair or their bed. 3. Clean your house before hand - you don't want to worry about it when you come home. 4. If your surgeon doesn't provide one - buy a binder!!! (Not needed for LAP patients!) 5. Don't buy a huge amount of post-op food. You will have tons leftover. 6. Find someone who can run errands for you or at least find a supermarket and pharmacy that delivers. (Most docs give you your scripts ahead of time to fill BEFORE surgery, make sure you fill them!) 7. Walk a lot. Don't wait for the nurse to nag you at the hospital, you nag them about walking. Then once you're home, try to walk at least twice a day, even if it's to the next house. Try to walk a little further each day. These helps prevent blood clots and aids in recovery! 8. Do not rush back to work before you're ready. You're having this surgery partly as an acknowledgment that you're worth it. Take the time to listen to your body and to build up your endurance. The work will wait - You don' t want to rush yourself through the healing and discovery process. It can take up to 6 months for you to feel 100%...the people I have talk to say 6 weeks is a good guideline, but this is something you should talk to your doc about! 9. Find a decent psychologist and make an appointment, especially if you've been overweight most of your life. Try to establish a relationship before surgery. Yes, this is a great tool, but you need to deal with any outstanding emotional issues you have with food (and weight and sex and self-esteem, etc.) so that you're not left defenseless in a year or two when the tool is not as strong. 10. Tell your support people what you need. Don't expect your partner, your mother, your best friend, your neighbor, to mysteriously "know" what you need. If you want someone to listen, tell them. A massage, silence, help picking up the gallon of milk, whatever, tell them. Don't get mad if someone can't read your mind - you're responsible for you and your needs. 11. Take your measurements. You'll be mad if you don't! 12. Get a recliner - buy, borrow, rent. 13. Take your scale and put it in the attic. Or garage. It's way too easy to weigh yourself every day. We're having this surgery so we can let go of our weight obsession, not compound it. 14. ... get the riser for your toilet seats. Costs very little, but makes SUCH a difference when you get home. Before you have the surgery....... 1. Find a support person. Someone that will look out for you in the hospital and help out when you get home. 2. Have the support person or you, re-arrange the house to make it much more easily accessible and post surgery prepared. Examples would be to have lots of pillows, have telephone numbers ready (surgeon, patient coordinator, etc.) just in case of problems. Figure out where you are going to sleep and sit after the surgery. 3. Have medical gauze and tape ready for your incision. If you are not able to have someone help you, learn to wipe yourself without bending your stomach muscles (this sounds silly but all the people I know who had the surgery had this problem). Some good techniques are using some type of stick with the toilet paper on the end or crouching straight down. 4. In case something serious does happen, make your wishes clear to your support person (usually a significant other or parent/sibling, etc.). What to bring to the hospital..... 1. Bring a few nightgowns (usually cotton because flannel has loose hairs that might get into the incision line). 2. Bring slippers that you can walk right into (you won't want to bend down or struggle with your slippers). 3. Bring any type of lotion or soap you prefer and the same goes for shampoo and conditioner. 4. For women that still have their periods- BRING PADS even if you are not expecting your period. For some women, the anesthesia can bring on your period. 5. Bring your support person. 6. Don't forget all medical papers and any telephone numbers you may need. While in the hospital....... 1. Listen to all the recommendations the doctors, nurses, physical therapists make to help you after the surgery. They know best and while learning breathing exercises seem silly BEFORE your surgery, you will learn quickly after surgery why you need these exercises. If you are seeing a physical therapist, watch the techniques they have for getting in and out of bed. This will be of major importance. 2. WALK. As soon as you can, walk and keep walking. This leads to a quicker recovery. 3. If your having problems with the hospital staff or room, speak up. Its benefits your health when you feel comfortable. 4. Before you leave the hospital, make sure you have all your original belongings and any medical instructions and of course, pain medicine. After the surgery...... 1. Know your diet restrictions and follow them. 2. Keep walking!--Follow doctors orders! 3. Don't feel bad if your constantly calling the doctor or patient coordinator. We all do this because we were not used to the changes in our body. |
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