I know this question has been asked before, but....

Well, I realize I have a month before my surgery, but I am a planner, so please bear with me.  What should I take to the hospital?  I found this list here on OH, but is it all practical?

 Hospital List for Your Weight Loss Surgery Courtesy of Moni

• Lip balm / chap stick…for the dry lips when you can’t have ice chips
• Baby wipes or antibacterial wipes to freshen up
• Trial size baby lotion or favorite lotion
• Small shampoo and conditioner
• Brush, hair ties
• Toothbrush and paste …the hospital provides some but it tastes horrible
• Deodorant
• Insurance card and living will or health care proxy, medication list
• Your own pillow w/colored case (this will be handy for the ride home too)
• Loose clothes to wear home and a good pair of non slip sole slip on shoes…you will hate to bend over to put on shoes
• Camera in case you want to document the journey …this is an optional item
• Phone numbers in case you want to call family/friends
• Sanitary napkins (a lot of women will start their cycle right after surgery)
• Eye covering (if light bothers you), earplugs (if noise bothers you)
• Pictures of family or loved ones…This is an optional item
• Small fan …this is an optional item
• Get some type of long wooden spoon or something you can wrap toilet tissue around. If that doesn't work, get a family member to help wipe.
• A robe and house shoes to walk in the hall after surgery
• Some reading material like magazines…you won’t get through a book with all the drugs they have you on.

Also, another silly question.....is it really necessary to bring tongs or a spoon to help,well, um, wipe?  Or is that some sort of hazing thing that the post ops tell the pre ops, to welcome them to the losers bench?!?!?!?!?    Thank you sir, may I have another?  LOL. Anyway, any help is greatly appreciated!!!   Jeanne

That seems like such a long list of stuff. Here is what I brought: Chapstick~a must Blanket~ loved having my own cozy blanket Robe Slippers Shampoo & conditioner Tooth paste and brush This is all that I really used! No tongs or spoon needed for me! I had not heard about that one!

 

 

I wore sweats and slip on shoes and a because I had open rny, a loose fitting non-wire bra.  Wore the same thing home...only had the stuff on for a couple hours prior anyway. The only thing the hospital didn't have is the chapstick I wanted. Otherwise there was not a thing I wish I would have brought with.  Honestly.

I have to say, I think that list is a bit over the top.  You're not going to be there all that long, and the hospital can take care of most things.  Chap stick, for sure.  Your own pillow?  It'll help you sleep better.  Small fan?  The hospital has 'em.  Wooden spoon?  Well, if you had trouble reaching your privates before, then sure.  But if you didn't need one before???  at my HEAVIEST, I didn't have any issues with that.  One thing I brought that I was SO GLAD I HAD, was a back scratcher!  I have dry skin anyway, so it was nice to be able to relieve my itches!  Plus, it was really handy for reaching for things.  Interesting thing is, now that I've lost a mess of weight, I can reach the itchy spots I usedtacouldn't!!!

Take with anything that you are going to feel comfortable with.....but remember, you have to carry it in and you have to carry it out -- and it's winter!!!!  Give the person helping you in and out of the hospital consideration for the number of trips they will have to make.  The hospital provides a lot -- robe, slippers, toothbrush/paste, lotion, etc. so I don't know that you need to bring a bunch.  Perhaps nothing more than a traveling purse size type bag of stuff -- a pillow and a purse size bag any one can help you with..... I haven't heard that there is a "hazing" process in this group!!!  We are in this journey together and part of the reason some have the surgery is self-esteem.  We would not do that to anyone --- EVER.....without a serious ass kicking from the rest of us.....And I haven't heard this type of bathroom issue was a problem either.  If you can do it now, you should be able to do it later...... XXOO

Too funny!!!  TONGS?  um, NOT this girl!!!  Each person is sooooo individual!  So my best advice is don't forget the chapstick and whatever you can't live without!  As for the wipes and sanitary napkins.......um, well, hospitals have them! I always pack light for hospitals stays(have a few in my time).  YOU will do great!!!!

After my first surgery, nope no tongs needed, I could reach before, I was able to reach after. BUT (lol get it? butt? ) after the second surgery, when I gained the extra 60 pounds, I could not reach to wipe my own hiney, and I refused to ask for help. So I simply stood with one foot on the toilet, and wiped my own butt. You will not be having that problem, your surgery will go perfectly, so you will probably not need tongs or a wooden spoon, unless you want to bring it just to mess with your family, then by all means, bring it with and tell them you need their help. Then laugh your rapidly shrinking butt off.