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Hi I am pre op and WAITING and I was going through some of the profiles and it occured to me that there are several of you who have had insights into what would be good things to take to the hospital like lip gloss etc. Lets start a list of things that you have thought of that maybe no one else did. For those of us waiting to go into the trenches.

Hi Kay: I was sent a list before my surgery and I know I saved it somewhere. However, I have no idea where. Fortunately, this web site is a living information world. If you look at the top of the website where there are many links, one of them is "Library". This alone could keep you pretty busy. If you check out the Pre-Op Preparing for Surgery link and scroll to the W's at the bottom, you'll see a couple of "What to take to the hospital?" questions with a large number of responses. This is also a great way to check out other questions you may have and see what answers have been over time. I'm still learning all the features of this website and I've been a member over 3 years. I do have a direct comment on your question too. When I look back, it wasn't what I did/didn't bring that stands out about the time in the hospital. It's how I was treated and handled my pain. If at all possible, you need a trapeze over your bed to grab on to and help where your stomach muscles can't. My doctor ordered one and the hospital didn't put it in the room. I didn't know any better so I never said anything, but boy would that have saved me some grief and nurse calls. Second, find out exactly what your pain fighting options are. When I went off my pump and to the pills, they were wearing off too early. They wouldn't give me any more till the time frame was up. Then I found out that they were only giving me half as much as the dr. had allowed. Again, I didn't know any better or I would have asked for my full dosage and again saved myself a lot of pain. So see, most of this is just me whining. Chances are lip gloss and slippers will be your biggest worries, and that's not to down play the lip gloss or chapstick, you will get dried out. I hope that helps. Good luck on your journey. Kathryn

I knowI had a list as well..lol let me think I took.. Chap stick, lotion, house slippers, robe, if you are female you might want to take along sanatery napkins I have heard of ALOT of women starting their periods after surgery even when it wasn't time for it..lol I as well took with me a baby spoon to sip on the broth with and it helpped me ALOT!! Learning to sip smaller amounts was a biggy for me even though I thought I had tought myself to do correctly before surgery the spoon was a HUGE help to learn how much to swallow in the beginings.. Audrey