THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO TAKE WITH YOU!!

TOILET PAPER!! I'm telling ya - you won't go inside that bathroom for a couple days until things start moving "down there". And by the time they do, it could be well, downright explosive. Those thin, weak, worthless Scott tissue rolls are not going to cut it. Pack a roll of something you like and a package of cotonelle wipes. Trust me, you'll thank me.

SO TRUE!....... I did pack some baby wipes and those came in handy, much more than I would have thought! Hugs, Sandy

Thank you ladies! My surgery is on Tuesday and I'm making a list from everyone's suggestions. I have a big pack of baby wipes from a huge box that we send to our son in Iraq (the dust is horrible from the winds, sand, etc) so I will put that on my take pile now! Any other good suggestions??? Love, Sheila

With long hair, you'll want a scrunchie. I ended up winding my hair into a rope and piling it on top of my head then binding it all with a scrunchie. I found the hospital was really short of nurses, and after being moved to the regular rooms, I was pretty much left alone. You have to make yourself get up and around, even if you're just pacing around your room. Don't wait for the nurse to bring you pain meds, ask for them when you want them. Watch out, Phenergan burns and my right hand seems to have suffered some from it. I'm waiting to see if it gets better. Take a cell phone or phone cards. The hospital's phone wouldn't let me dial to my house! I don't live but 30 miles away in the same area code. Fortunately I had a cell phone. Lisa

Hi Lisa, Fortunately, I have very short hair, so that's not an issue for me. If I run out of pain meds, I'll just page my dear hubby who is a physician at that hospital & complain like mad! Actually, as a wife of a physician, I'll have to complain less and behave more, or else everyone will whisper about what a bi***y doctor's wife I am. LOL I did plan on taking my cell phone and will bring some phone cards in case someone says I can't use my own phone. Good idea!!! All my calls are long distance because we're new here and everyone I know is far away. I love all these ideas and suggestions. Makes me feel like I'm in some control of what's gonna happen on Tuesday! Sheila

I found the sweatpants or men's pj bottoms (with pockets for my drain, other pocket my cell phone) my number 1 item that was useful, also slip on style house shoes, nothing you have to bend over to work with. Depends on your surgeon, as far as pain control. I had a lap and I had a morpheine pump for 2 days that was wonderful! After day 2 the pain had eased considerably, now at day 5 some tenderness and no real pain issues. I have Lortab as a back up so far just take it to sleep with. Best of Luck! Sandy