Pre-op? Hospital supply list

Hey pre-ops.... my angel gave me a great supply list before I went in for my surgery and believe me everyone of these things she was right on target with. I am posting these because too often I see posts asking for advise on what to bring to the hospital and so I thought I would post this info for your use (some of this is geared to females only - sorry guys if some of this stuff grosses you out) Good luck Peggy -94lbs. Here are tips that some wise post-op gave me, they are items to bring to the hospital (and why) 1) Eye mask - this way when the nurses turn on the lights in the middle of the night, you won't be blinded 2) Maxi pads - 95% of child bearing age end up getting their period within 1 to 2 days of this surgery. I timed my surgery so that it would be after my menstrual cycle but I came prepared to the hospital anyway..... good thing because my aunt "flow" came to visit and it was for a heavy stay! 3) Flushable bathroom wipes & a wooden spoon (10 inches long) - after having surgery its VERY hard to bend and wipe yourself after using the bathroom and what you do is wrap the flushable wipe around the spoon end and then swipe & clean.... this was THE BEST tip EVER. I brought the items just in case but didn't think I would need them since I figured my friend had her surgery done OPEN and I was having mine done LAP - but I was WRONG.... 4) CARMEX or some kind of chapstick - the ansthesia dries you out and then you don't get anything to drink for a day so carmex is your friend 5) Battery operated clock (costs about $4 at walgreens). This helped on the nights when I couldn't sleep. 6) Body pillow - I've slept with one of these for YEARS, and I brought it to the hospital to help ease the uncomfortable sitting and laying positions. If you fold the pillow in half and tuck it under your knees when laying down, it helps ease any back pain. Or when you are able you can use it to assist laying on your side. Mind you it wasn't until about a week after I got out of the hospital before I could lay on my right side, but it took about 6 weeks before I could lay on my left side (thats where the big LAP instruments were inserted so those muscles were SORE!!!) 7) Slip on shoes or flip flops to wear around the hospital and home - bending and tying shoes will be difficult for about a week 8) VERY comfy clothes to wear home from the hospital (I bought a supersized cheap nightgown and wore that home so I wouldn't have to change when I got home) Now for post hospital items: 1) Crystal light packets (to help get the clear fluids down) 2) Chicken or beef broth 3) Breyers sugar free popscicles (I think they are on sale at Jewel this week, buy one get one free) 4) Sugar free Jello 5) Applesauce 6) Ho****er bottle (you'll probably have some gas pain issues for a week or two and by placing the ho****er bottle on the belly it helps) 7) Heating pad (DON'T put this on your tummy!!! But you can use this on your back to help break up any gas issues also)

Thanks again!

Peggy, Great post! Thanks for sharing your hospital must have's list. Hopefully I'll be getting my surgery fairly soon. What was your recovery time like? How long did it take you to resume normal activity? Gabby

Peggy, great list. I am 1 year post-op and wish I would have had this list before my surgery. The wooden spoon and wipes are the best advise you can give. I know it sounds gross, but I sure wish I would have had one - it beats asking someone for help with that job! I also, had LAP and figured it would all be a breeze. For the most part it was, but you are still sore and bending really smarts for a few days. All pre-ops should copy this list and keep it. I can't think of a thing to add to it. Char H.