Guest guest Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Hey Jae I'm right there with you as I'm having surgery on June 6th too. In terms of what I have been doing to prepare for the surgery is: 1) Choose a comfy outfit to wear to the hospital and the day I get out of the hospital (think especially about a top that won't involve a lot of head movement to get your head through the neck-hole). 2) Select 3 or 4 easy to read books and magazines for the first few days post surgery 3) Notify all close friends, family, coworkers etc that I am having surgery on the 6th and that therefore they should try avoid calling me for at least the first 10 days and if they want to know how I'm doing to check in with my mother or boyfriend 4)Stock up on knorr bouillon stock cubes for yummy chicken broth 5) Grab a few bottles of Ensure in different flavors - in theory one should try a few flavors and see which one you like best but I can't bring myself to do this just yet 6) Buy a rice heat bag from Bed Bath and Beyond for helping with swelling post-op 7) Buy bags of frozen peas and frozen corn to use as ice packs post- surgery 8) Line up all meds that I may need to take post-surgery (have a convenient container or location to gather all the meds in) 9) Buy baby cup with lid to use post-surgery (am hoping lid will help prevent liquid from spilling all over me) 10) Make a list of emergency numbers to call post-surgery just in case 11) Buy mini whiteboard/writing pad and colored markers to use post- surgery to communicate 12) Buy a GOOD BLENDER! 13) THINK POSITIVE AND DON'T STRESS TOO MUCH 14) EAT TO MY HEARTS CONTENT!! Good luck! Sara > I only have one more week till upper jaw surgery (June 6th). Can > anyone give me advice on what to do till then to prepare and what > stuff (i.e. brand of food, ice packs, etc) I will need after surgery. > Thanks. > > > Jae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 I'm a Mom of a patient, surgery date 7/18/05...one thing I thought of to assist him (okay, and me) for simple, quick communication is a small white wipe off (dry erase) board. I got one that is about 8x10 " and has a clip for the pen to keep it attached. I wrote across the top, in permanent ink, the words YES, HUNGRY, PAIN, NO so that all he has to do is circle them -again and again and again! I'm sure it will only be needed for those first few days, but if we can get off to a good start- all the better. I wish you well! Preparation is the best thing you can do. This has been a place of wonderful suggestions. D thejae1188 wrote: I only have one more week till upper jaw surgery (June 6th). Can anyone give me advice on what to do till then to prepare and what stuff (i.e. brand of food, ice packs, etc) I will need after surgery. Thanks. Jae --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Hi sara, Great list! I am making a copy for myself! Thanks a lot! Best of luck to you and Jae next week. Will be thinking of you both on your big day. It is great that you will have each other to compare notes with post op too. Hugs, Fran > > I only have one more week till upper jaw surgery (June 6th). Can > > anyone give me advice on what to do till then to prepare and what > > stuff (i.e. brand of food, ice packs, etc) I will need after > surgery. > > Thanks. > > > > > > Jae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Awesome idea. I'm going pick myself up one! My surgery is the same day as your son's. > I only have one more week till upper jaw surgery (June 6th). Can > anyone give me advice on what to do till then to prepare and what > stuff (i.e. brand of food, ice packs, etc) I will need after surgery. > Thanks. > > > Jae > > > > > --------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Jae, My advice would be to try and have the following at home, post-surgery: ice packs, juice, vitamin water, ice cream, soups - broth is good, cream soups/veggie soups etc. if you're blending, pillows, small plastic cups, straws - if you can use them, napkins/paper towels/tissues, if possible, all your prescriptions filled, either a notebook or erase board if you're going to be wired, you're most comfy pj's/sweats, someone to help, if possible, i like ensure and boost - keep the vitamins/minerals/etc. going in with enough caloric intake to heal (and the chocolate and strawberry aren't too bad, either), baby toothbrush, lotion for lips and face, nail polish remover - to help get all that sticky stuff off of your arm from the IV ... That's all I can think of at the moment. I'm almost 4 weeks post- op ... and all of the above (except for the straw, which I couldn't use this time around) came in mighty handy for me. Best of luck with your surgery! Let us know how it goes! Carol > I only have one more week till upper jaw surgery (June 6th). Can > anyone give me advice on what to do till then to prepare and what > stuff (i.e. brand of food, ice packs, etc) I will need after surgery. > Thanks. > > Jae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 D, My Surgeon actually hands out dry erase boards with key words on them and check off boxes ... the list down the left is: Yes, No, Thirsty, Hungry, Bathroom, Pain, Breathing, Suction, Call Nurse and Rinse Mouth. I don't know if your Son will be in the Hospital overnight or for a couple of days - but it might help him to have it there as well. Best of luck to him ... and to you! Carol > I only have one more week till upper jaw surgery (June 6th). Can > anyone give me advice on what to do till then to prepare and what > stuff (i.e. brand of food, ice packs, etc) I will need after surgery. > Thanks. > > Jae > > --------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Thanks Fran for your warm wishes and kind words:-) Sara > > > I only have one more week till upper jaw surgery (June 6th). Can > > > anyone give me advice on what to do till then to prepare and > what > > > stuff (i.e. brand of food, ice packs, etc) I will need after > > surgery. > > > Thanks. > > > > > > > > > Jae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Me too. Only having done this twice before... Decongestants, Gravol, Painkiller script filled. Syringes, zip and squeeze, ice pack for face. Pillows for your bed to elevate your head. Paper/Pen for when you are not understood. All of your teeth cleaning stuff, large mirror. Nice soft kleenexes and hankies for drool etc. Face cream (people often complain about dryness..), lip balm...boy do those lips peel. Music in headphones. Get your favorite drinks, get some close to clear liquids broth, juices, soups as cleaning teeth etc is hard for first few days. Get a variety of flavours, and stuff that tastes like real food. Ensure only goes so far - yetch. Just think could I suck it through a straw. I personally liked gravy and mashed potatoes the instant type as you can make it with milk/butter and whatever consistancy you like. Its high in calories though.. and this weekend make a list of all crunchy, chewy foods you love and eat them for it will be along time before you have ribs or doritos.. Alison > I only have one more week till upper jaw surgery (June 6th). Can > anyone give me advice on what to do till then to prepare and what > stuff (i.e. brand of food, ice packs, etc) I will need after surgery. > Thanks. > > > Jae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 2) Select 3 or 4 easy to read books and magazines for the first few days post surgery =hmm try kids' picture books? this really does a number on your head, sinuses, etc. Really you are going to want to relax close your eyes, try to be pain and nausea free and listen to music rather than concentrate on a book... 3) Notify all close friends, family, coworkers etc that I am having surgery on the 6th and that therefore they should try avoid calling me for at least the first 10 days and if they want to know how I'm doing to check in with my mother or boyfriend =lol they will all call on the 7th 4)Stock up on knorr bouillon stock cubes for yummy chicken broth =you really want to get the low sodium, swelling is hard enough post op...salt can do you right in. 9) Buy baby cup with lid to use post-surgery (am hoping lid will help prevent liquid from spilling all over me) =lol the drool factor will make sure that happens. 14) EAT TO MY HEARTS CONTENT!! -do that! Shiloh Surgery #3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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