What to shop for and take to the hospital.......

I'm having my surgery on Sept. 14th and I want to go shopping for all my essentials for afterwards soon. I was wondering what is the most important things should I make sure I get or helpful items that wouldn't be on your typical pre-op shopping list that people found a must have. Also what all did everyone take to the hospital with them?

Take some chap stick and some slippers. They have everything else you'll need at Harper. They take real good care of you there. kp

Hi Angela, Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! I am with KP... make your hospital stay as simple as possible. I packed all kinds of stuff and only ended up using my chapstick and my iPod. I did take my own pillow, but really didn't need it. They will give you whatever you need. One thing that I would like to mention... after you come out of surgery and wake up in recovery you will be EXTREMELY thirsty. They won't let you drink water of course, but if you ask them for a swab for your mouth they will give you one. I thought I was in heaven with that thing. They come in mint & lemon. I didn't like the lemon but the mint REALLY helped with the excessive thirst. Just a FYI! Best wishes on your upcoming surgery, and make sure you keep us updated with your progress!! Kathy

I had my surgery at Hurley, and like the others said, I didn't need most of what I took. I was grateful to have my Carmex(chapstick) and my own pillow(can't sleep without it). I also had my own music to listen to, but instead I plugged my headphones right into the bed so I could watch TV in the middle of the night (my sleep schedule was ALL messed up and I shared a room with one other bariatric patient). But one other thing that I took, which turned out to be invaluable to me, was a small table-top fan. I got very hot and insisted I was running a fever, but wasn't...I put the fan on my little table and blew it right on my face. It was a life-saver. Oh...and I took my cell phone. My hubby was only allowed to be there from 11-8....I messaged or called him when I was bored in the middle of the night...LOL! They had all the toiletries I needed, but I did use my own toothbrush. I was allowed to shower the day after my surgery. I wore the same clothes home that I wore into the hospital. Make sure they are loose and comfy. I took some magazines to read, lotion, puzzle books(yeah, right...in a morphine haze...don't think so), toiletries, a robe....none of which even made it out of the bag. My advice to you is take what you think you will need to be comfortable. It's hard to predict what others may want or need. I'm one of those people that would rather have it and not use it than need it and not have it. Plus I was an hour and a half away from home and my hubby stayed at the Holiday Inn a mile away. I had my surgery early in the morning on a Thursday and was released around noon on the following Sunday. I didn't care about much on Thursday, but was glad to have my pillow and fan on Friday and Saturday. Good luck to you! Hope your surgery is uneventful and your recovery speedy! Tina

HI Tina, I'm having my surgery @ Hurley on Sept. 5th. I was wondering if you knew if the standard for that hospital was a 3 day stay or is it totally up to the surgeon. I would really like to go home in a day if I could. I'm glad your surgery was uneventful and that you had a comfortable stay. You're now on your way...I'm so excited for you and for me. How was Dr. Farhan? He is assisting my surgeon Dr. Wagner with the surgery. I've met Dr. Wagner but not the assistant Dr. Farhan. I'm curious about the bariatric process there. I've had another surgery there... and it went really well, so that I'm fine with. I guess I wanna know what to expect for THIS surgery in particular. So, whatever you could offer is greatly appreciated. TTYL. Kori

Something to have AFTER you come home is cocoa butter (I used the stick type). Once the bandages are removed from your incisions, put it on ea*****ision twice a day. It does work!!

Thank you so much for all the helpful advice. I need all the advice I can get.