Mexico Sleeve 7/2..What should I buy and have ready at home?

[Jewelski77]

Hi All,
What should I buy and have ready at home before I leave for Mexico 7/2? Don't want to have to carry heavy items after the fact!
Thanks!!

[Peachybroo]

Things like Popsicles (like the sleeved Otter pops vs a full size popsicle...only 1.75 oz of liquid), sugar free jello (whatever flavor you like best I'd have on hand), chicken, beef or vegetable broth, and water additives (like crystal lite) will get you through the first week or two. Then you will want stuff for protein shakes and smoothies when you get out a few weeks. You wont need anything solid for the first 3 weeks. Good luck!

[Jewelski77]

Great list! Thank-you for sharing!!

[lornadoone629]

I agree with Brook. I lived off of sugar free popsicles...still do! I planned and planned and OVER planned and OVER bought to make sure I had enough. I didn't/couldn't use most of it. Your taste will change and even the protein drinks that I sotcked up on went unused for the most part. They tasted ok after surgery, but I couldn't tolerate anything with protein additives without getting sick to my stomach. You'll be on clear liquids for the first part and by the time you're over that phase, you'll be able to drive and get whatever else you might need. Within 6 days, I was driving and by the 7th/8th day, I was sitting with my friend who had the surgery 1 week after I did and doing errands for her! lol

A couple of other things that I found helpful: make sure that you have all of the meds and post op meds on hand. Get a pill crusher if you need to take pills and it's not in a liquid form. It's nasty to take that way (crushed) so I always had a SF popsicle ready and waiting to plop in my mouth.

[Terps]

Agree with above and items to take care of your incisions. I use gauze pads, I cut them in half and large sticky bandages to go on top. I have Hibiclens for shower and a spray antiseptic. I called my pcp to see if he would take my stitches out (said yes) but I may go to an urgent care because they can come out this weekend and I don't want to wait til Monday.

[Jewelski77]

Thanks Lorna!! Appreciate the post! I did get a pill crusher! I will get some popsicles! SF of course!

[Jewelski77]

Thanks Kristen! Didn't realize I would need someone to take stitches out! Oh my!

[Taylor32909]

I didn't have stitches. All Dr's are different. I was also in the hospital for almost the whole month after due to dehydration and gall bladder surgery so hopefully you will be able to be home and get to use those things. By the time I actually came home I was on soft foods so that worked out for me. Good luck!!!!

[Emmers1974]

Great list and Kristen I didn't even think about stitches but glad you said something! I was glued shut this time. Jewelski you could always call your doctor's office and ask them if they will stitch you shut, use glue or something else? That way you don't necessarily need to spend that money, just a thought!

[Spooks]

Hi, I went to my Primary Physician yesterday to take my stitches out. She was impressed with the Surgery. I gave her my Xray I need to see her twice a year for follow ups. She has reviewed my meds and there is one Wellbutrin xls I should not take because it does not dissolve well in my new Stomach. I need to take the regular ones twice daily. She also referred me to a Nutrionist ( this is MN) #1 in Health Care. My wounds healed well and I don't need to cover them up.

[one4sailn]

One of my best friends is a wound care nurse and was THRILLED to take my stitches out...lol As easy as it seemed, I would think one could almost remove their own stitches pretty easily.

[rhill2901]

My stitches were so tight, after they switched nurses 2 times, the first nurse practically cried because my stitches were so tight and skin had practically grown over requiring small incisions without any anesthesia...

[Jewelski77]

Wow....when did Dr. A say they needed to be taken out? OUch!

[Terps]

Dr. A said 10 days for me. I'm going to an urgent care facility tomorrrow...especially since RHill shared his little tidbit up there.

[Chelan]

Dr Kelly uses self dissolving stitches and no drain. My scabs and stitches are already gone