List of things you'll need after Surgery.......

I received this list from a great woman on the main page and thought that I would share it. I think It is a good one. Hope everyone is looking and feeling great today! Happy Holiday, Anna Hospital list -Lip balm / chap stick.for the dry lips when you can't have ice chips -Baby wipes or antibacterial wipes to freshen up, -Trial size baby lotion or favorite lotion, -Small shampoo and conditioner, -Brush, hair ties -Toothbrush and paste .the hospital provides some but it tastes horrible -Deodorant, -Insurance card and living will or health care proxy, medication list -Your own pillow w/colored case (this will be handy for the ride home too), -Loose clothes to wear home and a good pair of non slip sole slip on shoes.you will hate to bend over to put on shoes -Camera in case you want to document the journey .this is an optional item -Phone numbers in case you want to call family / friends, -Sanitary napkins (a lot of women will start their cycle right after surgery), -Eye covering (if light bothers you), earplugs (if noise bothers you) -Pictures of family or loved ones.This is an optional item -Small fan .this is an optional item -Get some type of long wooden spoon or something you can wrap toilet tissue around. If that doesn't work, get a family member to wipe your butt. -A robe and house shoes to walk in the hall after surgery -Some reading material like magazines.you won't get through a book with all the drugs they have you on. -CPAP machine (if dr. requires it) -Albuterol rescue inhaler Pack your bag to go to the hospital and then remove HALF of that. You won't use it all! Promise! (Thanks for this great tip Tooter) Post op list -Replace all the batteries in things you use regularly (TV control, VCR Controls, cordless phone, etc). Nothing worse than having to haul your butt of the couch 3 days post op just to change the channel. Also if you don't have a cordless phone, invest 5 bucks in a long cord for your phone so it can sit by you. Just TRY to 'run' for the phone post op lol. NOT! -Buy yourself a small bag of sugar-free peppermints. These are great if your queasy post op. Or peppermint tea. Hot tea is a great help in the mornings to relax the pouch. -Lots of small dishes to eat from -Small plastic dishes for freezing and or refrigerating left -overs -Small spoons and forks ( -Extra measuring cups and spoons -Vitamin e oil for dry stomach skin - Foods that can be eaten post op. Bottled water ,baby apple juice (Dole,),instant breakfast, no sugar added popsicles, jello pudding, some type of protein powder, gatorade ,chicken broth, instant mashed potatoes. -A good strainer to strain the chunks out of soup -For those of you that don't have a shower seat, see if someone you know has one you can borrow (bleach the thing before using of course though) or purchase one if possible. Make sure if you are borrowing one that it has rubber grips on the feet of it though that are in good shape. You certainly don't want to slip and fall in the shower -One of those grabbers that you can pick things up off the floor -Whatever vitamins and supplements you plan on taking -Protein shakes and shaker cups -Bags of ice.for getting in fluids and making shakes cold -Mederma or scar gone to heal incisions -Food processor or magic bullet to blend the food

Vitamin e oil works just as well as Mederma and costs alot less also. I had an incision that was 18 inches long and all that you can see of it is an inch or so. I also used it for my tummy tuck that was hip to hip and you and see maybe a toatl of 1/2 to 2/3 inch scar in a few places. I know many people who used the Merderma and they have scars larger than mine. So for 2.50 compared to 16.00 I would stick with the vitamin E Oil. The whole issue to reduce the scaring is to stimulate the skin. Jenn

Dear God, at age 53 and almost a year without a period, I do not want to go through all that again! LOL! Thanks for posting, Anna! Hugs, Liz

That's a great list...but I didn't have 90% of that stuff and didn't miss any of it. I took toothpaste and toothbrush, hair brush, deodrant and slippers..loose pants and shirt to go home in. I do agree to taking a small pillow for the ride home. In the hospital you'll be either walking..barely drinking..and lots of sleeping. Good luck!! Anna 1-20-06 245/148/130ish