I have a date for my surgery. :-)
Sally 
I liked having some Shrek slippers, but they give you socks that you can't slip in. I also found it nice to have a portable cd player with head phones.
Chapstick is a must, and an elastic hair band to keep hair out of face. I was also told to take a portable fan and hand sanitizer. That whole time is so foggy to me, I packed a bag full of stuff, but that's all I can remember using from it. I took maxi pads b/c they said anesthesia can bring on your period, and it did...but not until I got home. Thank goodness.
Recap Things I Took & Used:
Slippers
CD Player/Headphones
Chapstick
Elastic Hair Band
Fan
Hand Sanitizer
A Book
My Own Toothbrush/Paste
Deodorant
Things I Took & Didn't Use, But You Might Need
A Robe & Nightgown
A Magazine
A Camera
Comfy Clothes
Baby Wipes (they provided wipes at my hospital)
The one thing I wish I had in the hospital was a tube of balmex, desinex or baby cream. My fanny was so raw (they gave me many suppositories daily). My surgeon is not from the US and was clueless when I asked for some desinex. It's funny looking back on it now.
Sorry to be so long winded. I hope this helps!
Katie 
The main things that I used in the hospital were:
*A long handled loofa (helps to reach all those areas when you are too sore to bend over well).
*I brought a liquid body wash from home (smelled so much better than the hospitals)
*Oust air sanitizer is a pretty good idea too. Sometimes after surgery smells can make you feel nauseated, (also not a bad idea for durring your pre-op bowel prep. 
I brought a book, but never read it.
I hope this helps and congradulations
Brook
344/230/?
I brought a book, but never read it.
I hope this helps and congradulations
Brook
344/230/? 
Congratulations on your date, there's nothing more exciting!!!
Take as little as possible! I took my own pillow and also used it to hold against me when riding home in the car and I took chapstick. Everything else was provided to me, including "Momma's Little Helper" for hygiene purposes, but my hospital has a bariatric program that's well suited for our needs during our stay there.
Welcome to the losing side!
Jan
Mari,
You are going to get alot of opinions of what you should take. Do what makes you feel comfortable. For me, I found that I brought alot of stuff I never used. I was too sore and drugged to use most of it. I brought a nightgown and robe which I never used. They give you both in the hospital
and I was too sore to change clothes. The only thing I used was toothpaste and brush, and my own soap. I think Jan's idea of bringing your own pillow is a good idea. Especially for the ride home. It also helps to hold it to your belly when you walk. Good luck to you. Keep us posted.
Take Care,
Amy Nolen
A lot of things I took I never used as well. Mainly what I did use was:
1) My teddy bear that I held when I walked down the halls and when I coughed. He was also very helpful to hold on the way home to protect me from the bumps on the road.
2) Housecoat and slippers for the walks down the hall.
3) a Moo Moo. I wore it home over my gown. There was no way I was putting on clothes for that ride. (I did have some problems after surgery so I was not a bright eyed cheery person going home.
4) The best possible thing in the hospital with me was my best friend Stephanie. She is a RN and was able to stay with me most of my visit. I let her handle everything. She disappeared some when I was sleeping but I did not have to worry about any of my care. If the nurses did not do it, she did. I got a private room so she could stay with me in the hospital and they encouraged it.
Even if you do not have a friend with medical experience, it is helpful to have someone with you if you can.
WHEN YOU GET HOME: The nutrionist will usually supply you a list of foods, liquids and other things they want you to use as soon as you get out of the hospital. Buy your food, liquid supply prior to going to the hospital. Give yourself a chance to rest before you tackle the public.
ANOTHER SUGGESTION: The recliner was my best friend once I got home. Of course I had the Open RNY and came home with a G tube and about 30 stitches from the breast bone to almost my belly button. As I normally sleep on my tummy I slept in the recliner until the tube was removed. (Be sure your recliner does not take full movement of your body to unrecline. That is a little difficult at first due to sore muscles.)
Once home, I stayed by myself and had family and friends drop by or call to check on me. Someone came by almost daily to walk with me until they felt I could be outside by myself. I did not need food brought in as I could not have anything but liquids. And living by myself and no one cooking, I did not smell food and crave the taste. I believe that helped me tremendously.
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