[Mamaames]

I am about to have surgery in a month! I am having my surgery a few days before Christmas! I am a little worried about what I will and won't be able to do. I am planning on getting everything wrapped and ready to go as much as I can before hand! I am a little nervous about all the traveling that Christmas brings! I completely understand that I will be on a liquid diet and I am prepared for that but any information/advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated! BTW I am planning on having roux-en-y surgery!

[Perfesser]

I had my RNY 2 days after Christmas. It's best that you plan for a quiet family holiday season. You will of course be passing up those treats and goodies everyone pushes under your nose. Keep the traveling to a minimum. The ride home from the hospital will tell you how far over the hills and through the woods you want to be driven to grandmother's house. I was two days post when my wife drove me the 80 miles home. For most of that I was in a drug-induced haze, but I do remember that I really, really wished I'd brought along a pillow to hold my guts in when we hit bumps!!

Those little ones will have to be content to snuggle beside you because your lap will be strictly off-limits! Your family will have to serve you hand and foot. You give so much for them - it's payback time!! You can decorate all you want before you go in, but just remember that you will need help putting it all back in the box when it's that time! And don't even think about carrying those boxes up to the attic or down to the basement!! Ain't gonna happen!! No way, no how!!!

Apart from that, keep a good sense of humor about the whole thing. Prepare those who need to know with the information they will need. As for that 20-pound turkey - let him cook it!! You won't feel like eating anything anyway!

Good luck! Planning in advance, and starting to live the rules now to the fullest extent possible, will make this journey as smooth as it can be for you all.

CT

[not quite Barbie]

I wouldn't count on doing any travelling. I remember the first 5 days I didn't travel any farther than from my recliner to the bathroom and back.

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joinng us.
Congratulations on your date.
(((((HUGS))))) May your journey go well.

As da Perfesser and NQBarbie says, it's best to put traveling off your list this Christmas. It's likely that you won't be up to most of the festivities, and you may feel blue and resent the fact that you're experiencing discomfort while everyone else is frolicking around. If you're not around at all, missing the festivities may make you feel blue, but you'll probably be better off than attending them. The first couple of weeks post op is big time rest well, as much as you can, take things easy and one day at a time time.
You'll have a marvelous Christmas next year and for many many many more years to come, once you get over this one.

[pretty woman]

Ditto.

You are giving yourself a most wonderful gift. Don't blow it by trying to please others right now. Take care of yourself. Find a recliner and plan to rest in it between sipping and walking. You need to devote time to yourself. Traveling? perhaps let the others go visit-this will give you complete rest time. Plan 1 or 2 times company comes for a limited amount of time unless you are comfortable enough to say "I need a nap... " and leave the room.
By getting done as much as you can NOW, you will be fine.

[merrynail]

Have them visit you. But remind them you won't be at the top of your game. It's good that you have everything taken care of so you can rest and enjoy as much as you can. I hope everything goes as easy as mine went. I only took my pain meds a few days and I haven't had any health issues. Walking is the big thing. The more you move the better you'll feel. Stay positive!

[country_strong]

You've received a lot of good advice! The only thing I can add is my experience on how I felt once I got home. I was under the assumption that I would be able to start jogging and going all over visiting! Not gonna happen!! For one thing, I had some things happen that I didn't expect, such as getting an infection in my bladder, and one in the drain incision. I was so sore and felt so tight, I couldn't lay on my back for 2 weeks. I slept in a recliner and was so medicated from pain control that I didn't know if it was day or night! The one time my husband drove me to the doctor about 5 days after surgery, I thought my guts were going to fall on the floor! Every bump we went over made me think unkind thoughts about everyone! I don't want to scare you, and what I experienced is normal with a lot of folks. Just don't have unrealistic expectations of what you think you can, or should be doing! Take care of yourself first and foremost and next Christmas you can go all out!!