What to take to hospital????

I have surgery on 8/18.... What do I need to pack to take with me

Hey Kristie, We're surgery sisters. I've been told to bring: slippers, chap stick, saline nasal spray, personal toiletries (shampoo, toothbrust/paste, brush, etc), and a pillow. My friends have said they brought books, mags, etc and didn't use them. They also said to use the hospital gowns, one on with the back opening and one the other way as a bathrobe. Good luck and see you when you're a Loser... Karen RNY 8/18/05

I also wanted to mention my small fan was a life saver. The temp in my room didn't suit me at all, and the fan made a huge difference for me. I did take my own robe and slippers for walking the halls. Chapstick, shampoo and deoderant, REALLY comfy clothes to wear home (I wore a BIG ol tee shirt and pajama pants home), and a support person. My husband was my most invaluable item I brought, he was there to help me any time I made a squeek and it made a world of difference. It also helped me relax, knowing someone was in the room with me.

Hi Kristie! Congrats on your surgery from a fellow August Angel! My surgery is scheduled for 8/29, and I'm already starting to gather what I'll need. If you look at the older posts, look for a post from Dolly Rs on July 22 with the heading of "August 1 surgery and no clue what to pack"...something along those lines, and you'll see what people have said. Somebody mentioned tongs (to pick up things you can't reach), Oral B brush-ups, baby wipes, to name a few... Wishing you an uneventful and successful surgery!!! Take care! Wendy

Hello and congrats on your upcoming surgery. I just had mine on Aug 4th, and have begun adjusting to my new life. Everyone else pretty much nailed it on the head. I brought comfy clothes to wear home, my favorite pillow, my ipod (walkman, etc). I watched tv in between walks and was too medicated for reading materials. I was going to bring a fan and I forgot it, turns out one was not needed. I did not bring a robe as you can just wear 2 if needed (1 in the front, 1 in the back). The hospital provided tongs (12'' long or so) for wiping - sounds funny but should you make a #2, it is really hard to reach your butt.... lol. To be honest, I found it difficult wiping wherever. My grandma picked up something for me that has been the biggest lifesaver - - an "As Seen on TV" Gopher. It is like 2-3' long - when you pull the trigger, the tongs on the end close - for grabbing things. It is a tremendous tool. When I first got home from the hospital I dropped my cell phone, went to pick it up, and felt like I ripped my stomach open. It can pick up anything from a remote to a magazine to a pen..... for $10 it is well worth it (Walmart I believe). I also live alone, so my dad picked up some rope. I found it really hard to get out of bed as I do not have side rails. Even though I slep in a sitting up position, I found that sometimes I would wake up and be flat on my back - - in comes the rope. My dad tied rope around the door handle, so when i have to get up, I just pull on it and help myself up. You do not know how many processes involve the stomach muscles until you have surgery.... I hope this was of some help. See you on the losing side.

Hi Kristie, congratulations on your upcoming surgery! I'm 11 days post-op and can tell you that, of all the things I packed I could have not done without these items: Slippers, my pillow, my clip-on fan (which I clipped to the rail of the bed as soon as they brought me to the room), my BACKSCRATCHER (ohhhh, boy it would have been terrible had I not had it for I kept getting sudden itches I could not reach otherwise), my hairbrush, and a pair of kitchen tongues (to reach on those hard to reach spots when you go to the bathroom). Everything else I took with me, I might had as well left home. The hospital provides you with toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, shampoo, lotion, powder, soap, etc. Even the book I took with me, I never opened it. Anyway, hope this helps. Best of luck on your BIG DAY. May God guide the hands of your surgeon so you have an easy an uneventful surgery, and may your recovery be speedy. God Bless! Dolly