Need info on hospital stay...

I'm a happy girl today.

Talked to both the Pre-op people at the Vic and FINALLY talked to the x-ray people re: my barium swallow.  It took TWO months for them to finally book me in for that swallow. And it's the day after I start my medi-trim diet.

So I'm very excited.  Pre op is July 21, Barium swallow is July 26, and surgery got moved up to August 8.  Getting nervous, but feeling confident in my decision as well.

Thanks so much to everyone who encouraged me to keep calling & pushing.  It worked!!

I DO have a question for those of you who have gone through this. I'm sure at my pre-op I will get this info, but I'd love to hear it from you...

What can I expect once the surgery is done?  How many days/nights did you stay in the hospital? Were you able to wear your own clothes or did it bother the incisions?   ANY information about the hospital stay would be appreciated!!

LOVING this community - thanks everyone for being so transparant.

 i stayed for 2 nights/3 days.i suggest you wear loose clothing as it will hurt insisions.bring a front closure bra.also bring housecoat(i didnt want to show behind)slippers or slip on shoes.make sure you have a pillow for ride home and when need to cough or sneeze.dont bother bring anything to do.i slept most of the time or was walking.i wore home the clothes that i wore pre surgery.if you get tylenol 3s and cant swallow them DO not add them to applesauce it is really gross. i hope this helps
sondra

I used my slippers, PJ bottoms, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, a pillow, big loose panties, my own protein shakes from Costco (the ones that they give you in the hospital are awful), I wrote in a book that I brought, and half heartily flipped through a magazine.

I went in the hospital Monday morning and went home Wednesday evening. I left with perks for the pain. I am happy that I brought my pillow. I used it for the ride home to hold against my stomach. I wore baggy clothes to the hospital and wore the sames ones home. In the hospital I wore my PJ bottoms and their gowns. It took me awhile to be able to wear a bra. It rubbed against my top incision.

I hope this helps.

Mich

I say just lay there naked!!  

Only kidding, everyone always takes too much stuff!!

Panties
PJ
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Pads(no tampons during surgery!)
Elastic for hair(no metal parts)
Shampoo/Conditioner(travel size)you might be able to wa****!
Slippers(I wore crocs)
FAN( the rooms are too hot) there is only 1 fan on the wing
Forget the books, too stoned on drugs! maybe a magazine shorter reading.
Notebook
Camera!  (the most important thing, this way people can take pictures of you during recovery, the video would be great too!!)
Like Michelle said the hospital shakes SUCK, bring your own!
Lipgloss

Michelle