What did you take to the hospital?

[Williwaw 10]

Hello All,

My procedure is next Monday 9/25 and I am packing now (as I am having my procedure done out of sate). What are some of the things you were really glad you took with you to the hospital, or things you wish you had taken? Some of the things I have gathered while reading other posts are:

Gas-X
Dry mouth spray
A small pillow for the drive home
A binder (something to wrap around your tummy?)
A warm robe
Slippers with traction for walking

...What else is important?

[Pescador 1,374]

I took nothing. I was there 8 hours. They give you non- slip socks to walk in. I never once had the urge to look at a phone or iPad. Surgery, sleep, swallow, and Headed home. Good luck!

[Williwaw 10]

Awesome! I hope and pray mine goes as well and fast as yours! Good to know!

[Apple203 1,314]

For outpatient, just some comfy clothes and someone to fill the scripts before you hit home. I had foot reconstruction this way -- sawing through bones and worse. I picked sleeve surgeon because he has a 2 night policy. Never again....I also programmed my phone for pain meds for a few days.

Editing to add, I subsequently had a complete hysterectomy and stayed only one night, successfully. Rested a at home a few days and had an unexpected house guest (my sister) -- her husband had heart attack local to me -- for 2 weeks. It was OK, but not restful, to say the least!

Edited September 19, 2017 by Apple203

[Pescador 1,374]

I seriously wondered if I had a sleeve done. I was 67, took l pain pill at home. I wish everyone had such an experience!

[Danny Paul 761]

I took my kindle so I could read a book, my cell and a charger. That's it. The hospital gave me a gown to wear and a pair of no slip socks. After surgery I slipped on my underwear after the catheter was taken out. I went to a room and started walking and used a breathing device to cut down on the chance of pneumonia. The first 24 hrs I couldn't have anything liquid even ice chips. I was able to get the nurse to give me swabs and some Water to rub in my mouth since I was so thirsty.

[ZinNH 173]

I took a clean pair of underpants, my cell phone and iPad, and my charger. I took a few magazines which I never read, and lip balm, which I didn't use because they gave me some. I took my own toothbrush, but they gave me one to use.

I was in the hospital for two nights and stayed in the hospital gown the whole time. I wore the same clothes home as I had worn to the hospital. They gave me compression socks and grippy socks.

The only thing I wished I had taken was a package of baby wipes. The nurses brought me stuff to clean up with, but it just seemed like too much work and I was so tired. I'm sure they would have helped me, but I just didn't care that much. (The shower I took when I went home was divine though.)

[bannsleeve 22]

I took 3 pajama bottoms and used everyone because (no one told me) diareah would possibly be an issue) flushable wipes, chap stick, slippers, my own blanket and pillow. Lap top & charger. Comb face wipes. I was going to be an over packer until I watched you tube videos that suggested to pack light because a lot doesn't get used and really it wouldn't. Best of luck to you

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[Buklova 6]

I wore the outfit that I planed to go home in. I packed a clean pair of underwear and a gown and housecoat. I brought Chloraseptic throat spray and that's the only thing I used. My throat hurt after surgery. I didn't use the dry mouth wash or the gas strips. I remember sleeping after they made me walk. I had to force sips of Fluid. Pack light.

Edited September 21, 2017 by Buklova

[Tiamka 34]

I was in the hospital for two days and two nights.

The things I took that I actually used:

• Laptop + charger
• Kindle + charger
• phone + charger
• lip balm!!! - This was a life saver!
• Longjohns/jammie pants
• Towel - everyone should know where her towel is (I sleep with mine)

The things I took that I didn't use:

• Extra set of clothes + slippers
• Toothbrush - one was provided
• My daily medication - they had this ready for me every day
• Real book - it was too dark in the evening and at night to read a regular book, but the kindle worked well
• My cpap machine - I know I should have used it, but it was way too much of an issue with everything else going on.

The things I wish I had:

• Noise cancelling headphones/earbuds - my neighbor (I was in a semi-private room) had her tv on ALL THE TIME! I really hated that and had them turn it off for the second night.
• Hand game/toy/puzzle to fiddle with when my eyes needed a break from my screens.

[Williwaw 10]

Wow! Thank you everybody for such great suggestions!

What are your views on bras? No bra, regular underwire okay? Sports bra?

[Tiamka 34]

17 minutes ago, Williwaw said:

What are your views on bras? No bra, regular underwire okay? Sports bra?

I had an incision right near where a bra would hit so I didn't wear one until I left, it would have been painful. Soft sport bra was my choice.

[Nessy76 134]

I brought a sleep mask, it ended up saving me since the pain meds made me crazy nauseous and light sensitive. Also chapstick... those were the 2 things I used the most.

I also purchased a soft front closing bra..aka hammock. Could have actually just worn my regular underwire, my incisions were much lower and it didn't bother them at all.

[KateBruin 344]

I brought a bunch of stuff I didn’t use. I brought a sleep mask, two books, laptop, iPad, phone + chargers, Lip balm (which I needed), and I wore the same outfit home that I wore there. Number one recommendation is a sleep mask.

I used my iPad but never read the books or used my laptop. Barely even used my phone.

They give you grippy socks, toothbrush etc. I brought mine but didn’t have the energy to get it. And I just threw on a second gown when I walked.

My incisions were no where near my bra so that was never a problem.

[angyplus5 470]

I read here that you should bring pads just know case your monthly friend comes... the hospital pads are ginormous! Sometimes wls brings it on.

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