What did you take to the hospital?

[ZinNH 173]

I didn't wear a bra home. It would have bothered my sister ncisions too much.

[KateBruin 344]

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.

Sent from my SM-S907VL using BariatricPal mobile app

I haven’t had mine since 2007ish because I take birth control continuously. I got mine the day before surgery. The hospital pads and mesh undies were AWFUL. Luckily it wasn’t too bad. And I was so drugged I didn’t care who knew except when a good looking surgeon lifted my gown in front of like 4 docs and 4 med students.

[angyplus5 470]

Oh no, that would be my luck!

Sent from my SM-S907VL using BariatricPal mobile app

[monalyssa33 138]

I packed a couple of shirts and pants and underwear, but I ended up wearing only the hospital gown the entire time, no underwear too. I also brought my phone, Kindle, two books, my CPAP. I ended up not even touching the books except when I was waiting to be admitted. I wish I brought something to control the bouncing I experienced on my way home in my dad's truck.

[KateBruin 344]

I packed a couple of shirts and pants and underwear, but I ended up wearing only the hospital gown the entire time, no underwear too. I also brought my phone, Kindle, two books, my CPAP. I ended up not even touching the books except when I was waiting to be admitted. I wish I brought something to control the bouncing I experienced on my way home in my dad's truck.

I stole one of the hospital pillows and hugged it on the way home with a barf bucket in front of me. That was fun.

[Rainbow_Warrior 996]

On 20/09/2017 at 6:55 AM, Williwaw said:

What else is important?

My surgery is 16.5 days away ... Thursday October 12th.

My packing plan, so far, includes:

* my own face washer, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, Shampoo, deodorant,

* a dressing-gown, a couple of changes of underwear for my 1-2 overnights, clothes and shoes for when I leave for home,

* iPhone, tablet computer, Kindle, earphones, three charger cables and a couple of plugs,

* reading glasses, cryptic crossword books and my regular medication.

* and, on the advice of others, some lip-balm or a chapstick (for the expected dry lips).

Edited September 25, 2017 by Rainbow_Warrior

[KateBruin 344]

My surgery is 16.5 days away ... Thursday October 12th.
My packing plan, so far, includes:
* my own face washer, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, Shampoo, deodorant,
* a dressing-gown, a couple of changes of underwear for my 1-2 overnights, clothes and shoes for when I leave for home,
* iPhone, tablet computer, Kindle, earphones, three charger cables and a couple of plugs,
* reading glasses, cryptic crossword books and my regular medication.
* and, on the advice of others, some lip-balm or a chapstick (for the expected dry lips).

They didn’t let me wear underwear. I probably could have if I begged. Ended up needing the sexy mesh undies cause I got my period (lucky me!!).

You probably don’t need shampoo but it can’t hurt. UCLA just required me to wipe down my body using the chlorhexidine wipes. I also used their toothbrush and toothpaste because I was too messed up on drugs to go in my hospital bag.

Bring a face mask! Even more essential than ear plugs but I also brought a little fan for white noise.

Oh, and I’d bring my own pillow and a throw type blanket. The hospital pillows suck and I used my blanket to snuggle against for comfort and it felt good against my incisions. I slept on my side.

[Pescador 1,374]

I walked in the hospital, had the sleeve, slept in the hospital gown, put on same clothes and walked out in 8 hours total. Didn't need anything, and I sure wasn't interested in a phone. Lucky me!!!

[JeffN 106]

I took myself and a great attitude that I was finally changing my life. Other than that take

• Loose Fitting Clothes (Shorts, button Shirt or T-shirt, sports bra loose underwear and robe (No one likes the hospital gowns) )
• Slippers - You need to walk as soon as you are allowed and keep walking.
• If you are a guy shave your stomach area from navel to chest. The tape is murder otherwise
• You will have to wear ugly compression hose so no need for socks

[LillieDuFran 127]

36 minutes ago, JeffN said:

I took myself and a great attitude that I was finally changing my life. Other than that take

• Loose Fitting Clothes (Shorts, button Shirt or T-shirt, sports bra loose underwear and robe (No one likes the hospital gowns) )
• Slippers - You need to walk as soon as you are allowed and keep walking.
• If you are a guy shave your stomach area from navel to chest. The tape is murder otherwise
• You will have to wear ugly compression hose so no need for socks

Love taking the great attitude; totally stealing it. I'm a MRSA freak out, so not taking too much from home. Don't want to burn it!

• PJ bottoms, so no is flashed
• Slippers
• Biotene mouth spray
• Husband
• phone & charger

[Williwaw 10]

Hey everybody. Thanks again for all is the input! I had my surgery on Monday and I can tell you what I was glad that I took and what was provided for me.

1. My phone and charger. This was important because several people wanted to know how I was doing. Also because it was a good distraction for when I couldn't sleep.

2 My own nightie, soft robe, sweats, and undies. I wasn't able to change until the next morning, but that was okay because I was so out of it the day of due to the anesthesia that I didn't care what I was wearing. I wasn't discharged the next day until 5pm, so it was nice wearing my own comfy clothes. I did use the robe the night I was there. Of course you can only put one arm through and drape it over the other shoulder where you have the IV.

3 Chapstick. They provided some, but I liked my Burt's Bees vanilla flavor better.

4 Small brush

Things they provided:

No slip socks. They were nice and comfy. When in bed, I was always hooked up to the leg massagers (not sure what to call them). I liked them though. I didn't have to wear the long compression socks.

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Alcohol pads - very helpful to sniff when feeling nauseas (just ask for some, you don't need to bring your own)

Lots of ice. It helped so much chewing on ice! I had a plastic breathing device to help with getting in deep breaths, but it really dried out my mouth so the ice really helped!

Also, I took gas x chewable tablets, but they wouldn't let me take it in the hospital.

That is all I can think of. I was blessed with amazing nurses and exceptional care when I was in the hospital. I hope that go all who undergo this.

[Pescador 1,374]

Good grief. Less is better.

[Rainbow_Warrior 996]

5 hours ago, Williwaw said:

My phone and charger. This was important because several people wanted to know how I was doing. Also because it was a good distraction for when I couldn't sleep.

Agreed.

Any my points to the two people in recent days who have poo-pooed the idea of having a phone there after your surgery would be:

* Some of us are staying longer than just 2-3 hours after the surgery. My Doctor says "at least one night, possibly two"

* My phone is not just a phone ... it has a range of health apps, my music, an app that generates white noise or restful sounds to aid sleep

* And, like Williwaw, I have friends and close family (as in my daughter and S-I-L) who don't live in this state or this country that keep track of me. I can deal with an SMS or iMessage if I wish to respond to them.

* And, if something is not going well or not going right at the private hospital, I may wish to call my wife, a relative or my best man to come be with me.

While some people are not keen on the phone idea, I see something a bit more complex and helpful.

[Williwaw 10]

Good grief. Less is better.

Less is definitely better for some people - and I am really glad it worked well for you. I'm just following up to let people know what worked for me.

Something else I took that I forgot to mention was neutrogena face wipes and moisturizer. It felt really good to clean my face and sooth it with moisturizer the morning after. Also took a small tube of good lotion that felt great on my arms. It is really dry weather here.

[NewChiGirl 84]

I brought:

Chapstick
Deodorant (didn't use)
Phone charger + extension cord
Magazines (didn't even take them out)
Non-slip flip flops
Extra clothes (didn't use, went home in what I came in)
Hair ties




Band to Vsg revision: 5/23/17

HW: 315+
Starting weight: 294
Surgery Day: 281
Current: 235
Goal 170