Packing for Hospital Stay

[smacbeth 0]

Not sure if i should post this here or on post- up but i was just wondering what do you bring with you to the hospital? Is it similar to what you pack in your labor bag since you'll be there at LEAST one night overnight?? lol i hate those stupid hospital gowns, id rather wear my comfy sweat pants and a t-shirt and feel better.

[SleeveGirl-TX 183]

Very Little....

I wore the same outfit home that I wore to the hospital, just make sure it's loose and comfy. I bought clean undies and didn't put the bra on (incision is right at my bra line LOL

Also:

Chapstick

Biotine (?) mouth spray

A loose light robe (to cover the gown when walking)

Slip on slippers for walking if you don't like those socks they give you, and I wore them home

Your meds

Toothbrush

Hairbrush

Book

That was basically it. You aren't there long and the first day you're pretty drugged. I didn't even read much.

TMI -- I had started my period that morning (and I'm told surgery brings it on for some ladies) and they gave me mesh undies and a bunch of pads. I hated the itchy mesh undies so had hubby bring several pair because I kept freaking leaking out the pads. They don't allow tampons. Stupid.

[iegal 460]

Congrats on your upcoming surgery date! There is a great link on this site under General Sleeve Surgery Discussions that is just for this topic. Check it out at http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10081-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-surgery-thread/.

I love my sleeve, no regrets.

[Marie from Michigan 11]

I brought my own pajamas and slippers, underwear, toiletries and a little makeup. I wore home the same clothes I came in. I took a couple of magazines/books, but never opened them. I did have my iphone and made phone calls/sent texts to family and friends. I also got my period right after surgery and had to rely on hospital provided pads. Not good. My advice would be to bring your own "supplies" just in case. I also brought lip balm and used it a lot.

[loris 6]

i brought the comfy pants and top and they are still in the bag. once i was in the gown (maybe they put it on me after surgery?) i found it easier to just cover up with the front snap closure robe i brought. i only put it on for my walks. the thought of trying to deal with putting on pants is just too much for me and i'm doing really good....no real pain, just abdominal discomfort.

chapstick is a must.

laptop computer if your hospital has wireless

i brought biotein but only used it once. the hospital has these sponges on a long stick and i used them to moisten my mouth and scrub my tongue/teeth as soon as i was in my room. i couldn't drink until my leak test and i found these to be a lifesaver. the nurse put 2 in a big styrofoam cup of ice (my daughter poured some Water in it) and i used them the first 24hrs post op. i found the biotein too sweet and strong.

iphone for texting/calling/entertainment i even have the VST app on it.

i will wear the same thing home that i wore to the hospital.

i have an audio book on my iphone but don't really feel like listening to it yet. i've had the tv on for background noise but haven't really watched it. between working at getting Water, broth and sorbet in and walking, plus email/web surfing/sleeping i've been occupied.

i had surgery monday afternoon, leak test tuesday at 9am, and have been in no pain except for some mild abdominal muscle discomfort which is addressed by the liquid pain meds they're giving me.

[Graystonia 0]

Thanks for sharing, I'm going in the morning (19th) to be sleeved and was thinking I would bring the basics.

[Nancy Rivers 24]

Frankly, all I took with me was my cell phone because I needed to call the person who was giving me a ride home when I was getting released so I could go home. Otherwise I wouldn't have even taken that. I wore the same clothes home that I wore to the hospital - like someone else said, make sure they are "lose". When I was in the hospital, I had the tv on for entertainment, but ended up turning it off so much because of various nurses coming in to check on me that it wasn't all that entertaining. Once Nurse Cratchet allowed me to walk, I was up and walking as often as I felt like it. I just had to have the nurse come in an unhook the compression baggies they had on my feet (they insisted that I have them on the entire time I was there, even though I was walking around) and untangle all of the cords/lines that went from me to the iv stand. Once the nurses saw that I could walk under my own power and was feeling good walking, they left me alone until I made it back to my room and they would come back in and keep the lines from getting all tangled. I also had a Foley catheter for most of my stay - so they had to take it from the hook on the bed and hook it on the iv stand so I could walk around. Why they didn't remove it earlier is beyond me. I also got the sponge on a stick to keep my mouth & lips moist - that was really great. They provided several personal care items so I could clean up if I wished. I am glad I was wearing their gowns as my incisions bled a bit (they were glued over, but still bled through a bit), so that way I didn't ruin some of my own clothes.