What 1 thing did you wish

you would have taken to the hospital?

What did you take that you did not need? 

What did you take that was a life saver?

Please list some of the things that you took to the hospital-I am preparing for surgery on March 9th. 

Thanks for all your help. 

My surgery was outpatient.  I took some loose elastic pants and a baggy shirt to wear with flip flops.  I also took reading material, which I was grateful for because the surgery before mine took longer than expected so I had to wait longer.  I would advise you to have your grocery shopping for your liquid and mushy phases done before the surgery.  Also your prescriptions filled early.  I had a liquid pain reliever and injectable shots of blood thinner.  The one thing I wish I had done was drank a lot more water the night before (stopping at midnight) because I didn't and I was slightly dehydrated which made finding my veins in the pre-op room not very fun at all.  My mom stayed with me for a week, so I was very lucky to have someone to help me.  After the surgery, I had to sleep on the couch because getting up and down in my bed was too painful.  Also, after your surgery, walk around as much as possible and drink as much liquid as possible.

I  took a little pillow for the ride home( the bumps) to hold against my incissions...(life saver)
chapstick
comfy clothes(loose)....
the day b4 i filled my scripts
bought tylenol(liquid) ..sf ice pops...and lots of sf drinks since i was on clear fluids for a week
gas x strips....
i used my heating pad alot for the gas pain

 If you're staying over night...ear plugs

I was only at the surgery center for about 4 hours -- and was unconscious for most of that time.

I was grateful that I had my ipod ---- to listen to and relax me while I waited to be called back

I was grateful that I had some socks -- my feet are always cold

I was grateful that I had a pillow in the car --- put it between the seat belt and my belly on the way home.

I was grateful that I had some lip balm in my bag

At home, I was grateful for a heating pad and some liquid Extra Strength Tylenol.

At the hospital:

1. Bring a pillow to help support your tummy and incisions when you get up and down (Big help getting in and out of car.)

2. Chapstick

3. Ask your Surgeon for anti nausea meds to take home (Better to have them and not need them then to need them and not have them!)

At Home:

1. Shop ahead for pre-made protein drinks and all your post op liquids.

2. Buy yourself a large heating pad

3. Sleeping in the recliner for 10 days was the most comfortable for me. 


Good luck to you! You'll do great!
Jen- 

I was only at the hospital for a few short hours with the procedure, but when I got home I had a terrible sore throat...Ask your dr. about what you can have, just in case.  I too slept in the recliner and it was a life saver!...I survived on sf popsicles and protein shots/bullets helped me get in my protein right after surgery..they contain much less volume than most shakes.. Good Luck!

The pillow was my life saver, hot drinks after were soothing, and I , too wore loose clothing. I wish I had realized that I would need even looser clothing for the next week to 10 days. Mine all fit well and I was too bloated for them to be comfortable. My neighbor saved my life with the loan of some bigger draw string pants for the first bit. I didn't have a thing that wasn't either snug in the waist or a stiffer elastic. Not a good thing! I wore hers just snug enough to keep them from falling down. She only had shorts so even though it was chilly I wore them anyway. As I said, she saved my life. Tight and bloating and gas pains do not mix!

Also,
If you aren't a big fan of protein shakes, GNC sells pure protein jello that has 23 grams of protein per serving.  It's also sugar free and carb free, but it is expensive.  I think it is $5 for 3 cups.  But in that phase they are a good way to get in protein.  I had a hart time drinking shakes right after my surgery.