Hospital overnight stay/tips/advice 5/5/15

[GoVols 1]

Hello, first time poster, long time reader. I am getting sleeved on 5/5/15. My wife insists on staying with me, which is cool. Any tips for the hospital? I've never stayed overnight in a hospital. Personal pillow, iPhone, charger, CPAP….any other suggestions, especially for my bride, she's bringing a book

[Stephanie Stroup McIntosh 157]

You will be pretty out of it an won't need much. I brought my own personal products. The stuff they give you in the hospital is fine, but its nice to have your own stuff. Chapstick and lotion were also helpful. It gets very dry. I even brought a back scratcher, which was my best friend while I was in the hospital. I was itchy all over. Definitely bring the cell phone and charger.

Your wife will want to bring things to keep her occupied. You will sleep most of the time, so she will need to occupy herself. She may also want to bring some slippers and comfortable clothes. She won't look out of place on the floor and will be much more comfortable.

[dhrguru 1,238]

Hello, first time poster, long time reader. I am getting sleeved on 5/5/15. My wife insists on staying with me, which is cool. Any tips for the hospital? I've never stayed overnight in a hospital. Personal pillow, iPhone, charger, CPAP….any other suggestions, especially for my bride, she's bringing a book

A lot of people said chapstick is a must. I brought my favorite lip balm, but never ever took it out of my bag. Didn't need it. Only things i used were my cellphone and charger and my own pillow.

[jennafah 81]

Agreed! Chapstick is a must. My poor lips are so chapped, I had to ask for vaseline. Maybe deodorant too.

[MissLiss 71]

• VERY loose sweatpants. I had packed loose bicycle shorts but my friend insisted that I needed something much looser and she was so right. I wear a 3x and she brought me 4x sweatpants when I was discharged. She was so right and I was so grateful for those pants.
• Pillow for the car ride home. I've seen people write that they were glad to have a pillow to place against their belly on the ride home and for getting in and out of the car. I didn't have one and didn't miss it but it may be worth throwing one in the car.
• A good attitude and willingness to communicate. Everyone reacts differently to this surgery. Just remember any discomfort is temporary. That thought made everything better. One nurse showed me how to breath to offset any nausea I felt after a round of nausea and it helped immensely. Their job is to help you so help them by telling them what is going on.
• Insurance and Prescription Card and ID. I brought my insurance card and ID with me but did not even consider my prescription card. I don't know if every hospital does this but my hospital would have filled my prescriptions before I left- except I did not have the prescription card with me.

I used my cell phone and needed my charger.

The rest of the time I dozed or watched television or walked. I enjoyed checking out mentally for a bit.

I like hand cream, didn't need chapstick but probably would have used it if I had it.

Also drink lots of Water up until you fast. I drank plenty but still felt a bit dehydrated in the hospital but every bit will help.

Also, every time I got up to use the loo I made sure to walk the hallway. I was told the more i move the faster I will feel better and it does help with the gas.

Good Luck!

[Brenew 13]

The only things I actually used were Chapstick, tooth brush/ paste, hand lotion, bathrobe, slippers, cell phone/ charger. I just wore the clothes home that I came to the hospital in because as soon as I got home I soaked in my bath tub with bubble bath and just enough Water to cover the top of my legs.

[chellefox 11]

Biotene mouth spray. It was a life saver. It is a gel like product that keeps your mouth moist. I was so thirsty the first few days and it was the only thing that helped.

[cjnorris 103]

Chapstick was a must..loose clothes to go home in is really all you need

[Mel24 51]

This is all I used: Chapstick, they actually gave me my own in recovery, even though I brought my fave, pj pants and comfy shirt/tank ( I run hot, so my tank was my friend), slippers, Jambox to play my own music to relax, hair brush (forgot mine).

I brought magazines, iPad, phone and chargers used the technology only 6-7 hours once I was in my room. Never touched the magazines. Plan on sleeping a bunch, and resting. Good luck!

[SlimmerKimmer 25]

Chapstick, phone and charger, and definitely a pillow for the ride Home.

[Positivelife 4]

Chapstick, G2, Gas X strips, lotion, slippers, robe.

[luvj0j0 53]

Good tips! Thanks