Revisionista's what do I really need ?

[Deleted]

Hello I will be Traveling for Revision Surgery scheduled for 12/10. What do I really need to take with me? 10 years ago I remember taking alot of "Stuff" I did not need. However I did get to go home after 2 days. This time I should be in the Hospital 4 days then a Hotel for 7 days. It is my undersatnding I will have a feeding tube for upto 6 weeks. Please share your experience and what you really found nessesary.
Thanks
Whitney

[honeybadger11]

Chapstix, Gas-X and G2. Start taking Gas-X several days before surgery and get on a good probiotic now.

I really didnt need much. I didnt have a feeding tube but i was on liquids. I stayed in a hotel for 5 days after surgery and all i need was my protein shakes and some liquids like clear soups, jello and G2. G2 was a savior for me as my protein shakes didnt go down initally for me and the liquids were not enough to give me any sustenance so i felt very weak and faint.

Also bring a good pair or walking/slip on shoes since you will need to be up often and a good pillow. I had to stack several while laying on my back as i couldnt lay flat initally (then a good pillow is good for side support if you are a side sleeper when you finally can sleep on your side again...like 2-4 weeks post op:)

Good luck and remember on your trip back to move around often...ankle pumps, butt squeeze, etc. So you dont have any problems with blood clots:)

[Paula]

I had to fly to Salt Lake City from my home here in Oregon. I had to arrive 2 days early for pre-op appointments and stuff, then spent 4 days in the hospital before being released and heading directly to the airport to catch my flight home.

In the hospital, I used very little of what I brought. I think the only two things I took out of my bag was my phone charger, lip balm, and lotion. I also had my Ipod and charger. When I took my shower, I had my own travel sizes of my shower products. But thats about it. I think I read my book on the flight down and back. But thats about it. I didnt bother taking vites down with me because I knew I wasnt going to start taking them until further out in my recovery. Didnt need to take protein stuff either since I was released directly from the hospital to catch my flight home.

Im willing to bet that some other revisionistas who traveled to have surgery with Dr. K will chime in (Lulu-leo and Jamie come to mind). My best piece of advice is to not take too much stuff because you just have to lug it around. Not a lot of room in the hospital either for extra stuff. Good luck and congrats on your surgery

[Leonie]

Everything was provided at the hospital. They even provided mouth wash and zink ointment. My daugter ordered meals from the hospital menu and there was coffee. Some folks had their own fan, but my room was fine. I did not like their canned protein drinks, but I did not eat much of anything in hospital. The jello also tasted incredibly sweet.

At the hotel they gave us lots of extra pillows. The reclining office chair was wonderful. We hd the wheelchair access room that had a walk-in shower and lots of grab bars. The Chinese takeaway next door provided great egg drop soup. I had no interest in reading post op, but did watch a few movies on my computer.

You will do fine

[Deleted]

LuLu,
I rented the 2 Queen bed room perhaps I should change it. I wanted my own bed as not to be josseled about by my huband. Maybe I do not need it? Would steping into a tub shower have been diffucult? Maybe I should call and ask to change it.

[Leonie]

I think you will be fine getting into the tub and sleeping together. I liked the hand shower, but it is no dealbreaker. The handicapped bathroom made the bedroom area so much smaller.

[Deleted]

Would you have been able to work at 6 weeks? Also did you have a feeding tube? I thik it has t stay in for 6 weeks and there is no way in Hell I can go back to work with that thing sticking out of my tummy...

[alaja957]

I say pack the minimum you can. This is what i needed specifically at the hospital. Daily I needed Chapstick, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, deodorant, a small brush and a hair tie. The hospital did not provide any toiletries so I brought travel size shower stuff. Everything I just mentioned fit inside one makeup case. I am weird about skin on skin so I brought undies and pj bottoms. I traveled home the same day I got out of the hospital so I don't know about staying in a hotel. Ice cold water was about all I wanted for a week. Also I couldn't lay flat for a week can the hotel get you a recliner?

[Girlrocker]

Hey Whitney, wow, your day will be here before you know it, your revision is five days before my 1-year revision surgiversary with Dr. K. For some reason I thought you were having your surgery at the Delano location, are you actually going to Verdugo? I'm not familiar with the hotel/layout situation in Delano, but am with Verdugo since it's literally 15 minutes north of me. If you are going to be in Delano, there's a couple of people on this board who live close by in Bakersfield.

As for what you'll need, the hospital will stock you with pretty much everything; though you should bring your own chapstick, and if your hair is longer, use scrunchies to tie it back, they're softer and easy to lay on. You might prefer some of your own personal things for after the hospital, like lotion, shampoo, toothpaste; comfy slippers/slip on shoes (for walks), loose sweats or stretch pants, oversize tops that go past hips, robe, whatever you want to sleep in. I didn't stay in the clothes I slept in, even though I was in lounge wear, helped me to be in a 'routine' of washing up, changing clothes, while I slogged through sipping protein shakes, putting them in the feeding tube and sipping water.

Revisions are definitely more complex surgeries so the bounce back can be a little slower than virgin surgeries. Dr. K keeps the feeding tube in for 6 weeks, he likes to be very thorough, extra sure in revision surgeries. The drains for me were a bigger nuisance, I had two. It was actually easier to deal with than I thought, though I was definitely happy when it came out. It hangs pretty low, below the binder you'll wear, lays pretty flat. I was able to camouflage it wearing looser leggings and long, loose tops that went past my hips. It would be doable for work, but not sure if 6 weeks is enough, you want might want to think about 8, if it's doable for you.

As a single girl, it's hard for me to comment on the 'sleeping with another person' I also couldn't sleep in the bed, slept on the couch propped up with a lot of pillows. If I were in the hotel room, I definitely would want a lot of pillows, since laying flat can be tricky. Recliners can be rented, I know near Verdugo, and I'm sure they can be at Delano too. That was the one item I really wished for, though I made do just fine. Also depends yes, on the size of the hotel room. You should have a mini fridge in your room for any beverages, protein shakes, jello, soup; Im pretty sure as a revision you won't be traveling long enough to actually have any solid food, how long will you be here?

[mhfein]

K travelled to Delano for revision with Dr. K - hospital 4 nights and motel for 7. He said I'd have a feeding tube but I didn't. Drains no problem. I rented a hospital bed for the motel. Holiday Inn Express handicap room was just great. Did my walking in their hallways.ad had a little fridge and microwave in the room. Special rate for Dr K's patients about $75 a night.

Mary Helen

[Deleted]

Thanks Ladies,
Sharyl surgery will be in Delano. My company will give me unto 12 weeks off (I've earned it) but Dr. K said 6. He did say he would increase it if need be. Oh well hopefully I will not need it. I do know there is no way in hell I will be going back to work with a feeding tube. I work at an Ad agency with a bunch of young fresh out of college hipster's and cool talented creative types.

I also have a little bit of anxiety about it's removal. If I am home who will do it? My PCP hope not...Ideally it would be Dr. K. So I may fly back down. I am a planer and a worrier.

Mary Helen,
Were you a revision form RNY to DS? I am pretty resolved to the fact I will have a feeding tube maybe I will get lucky. I have a room rented to the Best Western Liberty Inn Dr. K rate $75.00. I have asked for a recliner maybe I will look into a Hospital Bed too.
Thanks again ladies wish me luck!
Whitney

[Deleted]

You'll have a feeding tube Whit. Dr. K puts them in for all revisions, "no exceptions" (<--his words). I hated mine. My very large bust hit it every time I moved which irritated the feeding tube incision and made it very hard to move, consequently I was in a recliner with a remote for those first 6 weeks. I was actually in that recliner for a full 3 months, but I've had a very hard time recovering from my revision. You'll likely progress much faster.

As for stuff to take to the hospital, you won't need much. I didn't need anything, even my slippers, because they provide socks with rubber soles for walking the halls. Stock up on various protein supplement samples (vitalady is invaluable for this) for the hotel room and a blender bottle or two (with wire shaker ball to get the lumps out). I got mine from amazon. Easy.

Aside from that a phone and ipod will keep you connected and distracted. And before you know it you'll be on the Dark Side.

Wishing you a boring revision!

[Deleted]

Thanks Liria. I am sorry you had such a hard time. I hope I am board out of my skull.

[Girlrocker]

Oct 29, 2012 19:19:18 GMT -5 whit said:

Thanks Ladies,
Sharyl surgery will be in Delano. My company will give me unto 12 weeks off (I've earned it) but Dr. K said 6. He did say he would increase it if need be. Oh well hopefully I will not need it. I do know there is no way in hell I will be going back to work with a feeding tube. I work at an Ad agency with a bunch of young fresh out of college hipster's and cool talented creative types.

I also have a little bit of anxiety about it's removal. If I am home who will do it? My PCP hope not...Ideally it would be Dr. K. So I may fly back down. I am a planer and a worrier.

Mary Helen,
Were you a revision form RNY to DS? I am pretty resolved to the fact I will have a feeding tube maybe I will get lucky. I have a room rented to the Best Western Liberty Inn Dr. K rate $75.00. I have asked for a recliner maybe I will look into a Hospital Bed too.
Thanks again ladies wish me luck!
Whitney

Hi Whitney, that's what I thought, that you were having it in Delano not Verdugo (that's where me, Leonie and several others were). If your work can be flexible, that's good, I think you'll know by week four where you're at in terms of how much longer you need. I do encourage taking the time, because it's the one time you will have to really devote exclusively - and selfishly to your recovery and easing back into routines, besides the actual recovery itself. Mine was slower, fortunately no complications or issues, just a really big surgery to recover from, and, severely anemic (from my RNY) and D deficient.

As for the feeding tube, RNY to DS revisions it's a given. And I have to say, it really didn't bother me, gross me out like I thought it would, and I'm pretty squeamish about such things. It was painless to remove; the jp drains on the other hand...oy, the longest 15 seconds of life, I saw stars, they are in pretty deep! So your PCP removing it would be fine, or if you really are more comfortable with Dr. K doing it, time it so it comes out when you are scheduled for a follow-up so you're not spending extra travel money.

Hospital bed, recliner rental is really a good idea; if I didn't live in a studio I would have ordered a recliner. I also think you'll be fine with having some protein shake samples, waters for your fridge; is someone traveling with you? I'm sure there is a store nearby, the hotels for Verdugo where people stay is very centrally located with a lot closeby, as Leonie mentioned. Not sure about Delano but plenty on here have traveled there to have surgery and will know. Someone can then easily make a run for you for anything else you might want - broth/soup, peanutbutter, etc.

[Deleted]

Thanks Sharyl
It's not my employer but Dr K that is limiting me to 6 weeks. Hopefully a call to him to extend will be all that is nessesary. I'm not going to worry about it. Whatever happens, happens. I remember the drain remoal from RNY and that was 10.5 years ago. Yikes 15 seconds is a really long time...but I feel fortunate to have been approved for a revision.

My husband is going to be there the whole time and my sister, who is a nurse will be there for the surgery and 4 days after. So I will have support and help after.

I have a big container of Chocolate Designer Whey and will bring broth and water too. Thanks for the tips. I really appreciate it.

Best,
Whitney

[smileyjamie]

Sounds like you have gotten ALOT of good info. As for the big tub of protein...... I would order samples fro VitaLady.... your tastes will change, and change again after surgery. And don't forget the chapstick!!!

[Deleted]

Thanks Jamie it's getting close. I am flying to NYC for work and am worried about catching a cold. I am going to pack lots of warm cloths hopefuly I am not sitting b a sick person.
Best,
Whit

[Deleted]

Good luck, Whit. Less than a month to go!

[willowrayne]

After surgery I could not even stand the smell of the protein shakes. Which really shocked me because I was always one of those people who could eat anything.

Syntrax has a special if you call them. I don't know if it is listed on their website. www.si03.com/reg_index.htm

14 sample packets for $14.99 (I think $1 shipping)... Excellent price. One per person.

They have iced tea protein powder, lemonade and fuzzy navel among others. They were the only ones I could tolerate.

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