What to take with me and items to buy before hand ?

I know that this has probably been covered once before , but does anyone have any pointers on what to take with you to the hospital ? Crossword puzzles, chapstick, or anything else I might need or anything to make my apprx. 5 day stay anymore comfortable. Any suggestions on what to buy for home before my surgery....such as vitamins , protein supplements,or what ever might be benefical to me my first few days home... Any info would be greatly apprecaited..Thanks..Donna

Hi Donna, remember to bring comfortable shoes, you will be doing a bunch of walking. Also bring your own pillows. I found that these 2 things were what I was most happy to have with me. One other thing, I found that the drain and around the g-tube that my doc puts in his pts leaked for about 5 days after the surgery. I wore the hospital gowns to prevent staining my good gowns that I had thought were so necesary. Lots of good thoughts and prayers are sent your way...Brenda from Apopka, FL

Hi I just had my surgery on the 15th of July and I took a bunch of things that I didn't use as well. But the few that I did were, Chapstick, a CD player in case you have an annoying neighbor in your room , slippers, brought my own gown, never wore it. The hospital ones that they gave us were nice and roomy and just as comfy as something from home. I would diffently say a little hand held fan that runs on batteries. I was finding that although the air was blasting, I was still warm from the morphine I guess. All of the nurses kept saying it is freezing in here aren't you cold. Oh well. I was also told to bring a baby spoon by a friend of mine that had surgery two years ago and let me tell you that was a good idea. I found that it made you not eat to much at once. Those are my suggestions. If you don't take all of them, I would at least say the FAN is the most important. If you can find one that stands on its own, we got one at Brookstone a few years ago and it was great. Best wishes to you. Jennipher