What did you bring with to the hospital for your surgery?

Quick question for everyone:

What did you pack with you to take to the hospital?  Is there anything you wish you would've brought?  Is there anything you realized you really didn't need to bring?

I'll be packing a bag shortly for my upcoming surgery on 11/19 so I'm just trying to be prepared.  My hosptial stay is 2 days but it sounds like they keep you pretty busy with walking, breathing, sipping, & some scans.  Did people spend most of their down time sleeping? 

Any thoughts you can pass my way would be great!  I looked through all my info for the surgery & I can't find anything about what I need/should bring with to the hospital.

Thanks!! 

~Melissa~

I packed a small bag and I didn't use one thing out of it...

I was told to bring some female supplies incase your period starts, which is the case for many women. I didn't get mine, but I wanted to use my choice of female product vs generic whatever the hospital has (big gigantica pads or something)

They had a cheap toothbrush and toothpaste. I wore the outfit to the hospital I wanted to wear home (lose fitting cotton dress.. no fuss) Brought a comb for my hair. THey should supply you with the no slip socks.

Maybe a book or crossword puzzles or a magazine or two. I was only in for one night, literally 24 hrs.. and all I did was sleep, get up pee/walk.... sleep, get up pee/walk... all night.. in the morning i got up pee/walk and stayed up.. meal.. sleep/pee/walk.. lunch.. sleep/pee/walk.. and drank my water in between!

you get the drift!
good luck!

I'm with Stacy - didn't need a thing for my stay.  I had my husband bring me some lip salve and I did use that - dry lips.  And he brought a pillow in the car when he picked me up to hold up to my tummy for the bumps in the road on the way home.  Other than that, I didn't need a thing.

I brought socks and a good thing I did - my feet were freezing!  Get some with the non-slip bottoms so you don't take a header when you get out of bed.

I also brought my sweats to go home in and the usual toiletries.  No makeup, though!

Hi and Congrats...........  I brought my own pillow too sleep on cuz hospital pillows suck..... I brought my own housecoat to walk the halls in.  The only thing i wish I would of brought was shampoo and my body wash, the hospital stuff dries my skin.......  Hope that helps and good luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 First of all congratulations!  Things are going to go really fast from here so hang on to your hat!

Dr. Benn didn't want me sleeping much during the day because I needed to get my liquids in and couldn't do that if I was sleeping.  I was allowed a 1 hour nap in the middle of the day.  I didn't really need more than that - and it helped me to sleep at night for the most part.

I agree with Marcia on the hospital pillows sucking... I like a really soft fluffy pillow so I bought a really brightly colored pillow case (so they don't accidentally take your pillow) and I brought my own.  I was SO glad I did!

Best of luck to you - see you soon on the losers bench!

Stephanie
Lip balm, hand lotion and my cell phone charger were the only other things I used.  

Having just gotten back from the hospital, it's still very fresh in my mind.

I was there 1 night, and they really do keep you busy with all the vital checks, med doses, walking, counseling visits, etc. I brought a book, mag, second set of clothes, toiletries... but honestly, I didn't need any of it. There is no time to read, no need to shower if you are only there one night, and you don't get a ton of cleep since you have to get all your fluids in. You were the no slip socks they give you, and  you can wear clothes home that you wear to the hospital.

The 3 most helpful things were my Blackberry, Lip balm, and favorite pillow.

Best of luck! The time flies while you're in there!

Shannon

Of all the stuff I brought....I used my chapstick, my ipod, and my robe. Its amazing how quickly you are in and out!! Good luck!!

Oh yes for sure.. LIPGLOSS/chapstick.... hospital tends to be dry. and my lips were definitely dry...

Lip balm, my own toothbrush/toothpaste, robe, my own non-skid shoes or slippers (I felt better walking with something more 'solid' than the hospital slipper socks) My own robe, and my own body lotion-

I did bring a magazine, knitting, and my iPod- got very little reading or knitting done the whole 5 days I was in-- too tired to focus.  I did use my iPod a lot-- had it filled with soothing music, and chanting by my women's circle-- very healing.