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

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions!! 

I'll definitely have to bring along the chapstick (I'm an addicted to it normally anyways), and I love having my own pillow & hate uncomfortable ones so I'll definitely have to bring along my own from home.  I don't have a robe so do you think I should go pick one up or do they have any at the hospital they can give you?  I love the idea of the slippers too, I'll definitely have to bring those along!  I may just pack a magazine for just incase but I was thinking they'd keep me pretty occupied that I probably wouldn't have time to really do any reading.  Oh yeah, and I should probably bring along a toothbrush & toothpaste along with some shampoo/conditioner since I'll be there for 2 nights.

You guys have helped me soooo much with getting my bag packed!!  I feel like I'll be much more prepared now!!!!  Thanks again! 

It sounds like you have it covered.  I was glad to have magazines instead of my book because the articles are short and require little attention.  I found myself dozing when I read.  I was also glad to have my hair dryer after my shower because I hate laying down on wet hair.  I also brought and used shampoo and conditioner, lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaste, cell phone, charger and iPod.  Oh, glasses and/or contact lense stuff if you wear them.  I didn't bother with a robe.  They will give you an extra gown to throw over the one you are wearing to cover your exposed hiney.  That worked well enough for me.

What I didn't bring with me was a bottle of Windex (which thankfully was on the shelf of the nurse who prepped me for surgery a year ago) required for me to help remove my wedding band for surgery. 

  -Alan

I was in one extra night, so 3 total - and was SO GLAD I brought my back scratcher!  I had a lil' extra work done, so was probably a bit more tender/sore than a simple lap RNY patient, but that scratcher was a God send for my dry skin, and on a few occasions it helped me reach for things that were a little further than I felt up to stretching for. 

A word search book or something to doodle on is always good - Best of luck to you!!

For those of you that spent more than 1 night in the hospital (like I have to spend 2 nights) did you end up showering or did you wait til' you got home?  I'm just trying to minimize what all I need to bring to the hospital & I'm notorious for over-packing.  LoL!  I went to Target today & picked up some travel size things like deodrant, toothpaste & toothbrush along with shower stuff, but if I don't really need it then maybe I won't bring it all along.

I do like the idea of bringing along some crossword puzzle books or something.  I have a electronic Sudoku that maybe I'll throw in my bag incase I want to play something.  And I love the idea of the iPod.  I don't have one, but I do have music downloaded onto my phone so I'll be sure to bring along my headphones incase I want to listen to some music.

Also, another quick question:

Did any of you have your spouses (or a friend or family member) stay with you during your hospital stay (like overnight with you)?  Did that work out ok?  I'd like for my hubby to stay overnight with me while I'm at the hospital but I wasn't sure if someone being there constantly ends up getting in the way.

Thanks for all your help!  Only 3 more days!!!! 

~Melissa~

Yes, I showered on day 2 - and it felt WONDERFUL!  So the travel sizes would be good, although after 2 nights, you could certainly wait until you got home to shower.  For my 3 nights, that would have been too much...

I did not have my hubby stay - we have two kids, who WOULD have been okay home alone for a night, but nah...  I looked at it as a mini, mildly painful vacation.  It's bad enough the way the nurses are forever pestering you for BP, O2 or pee!   But that's just me...

I was in 2 nights and yes, showered at the hospital....for me it helped me feel human again!  ;)

I did have a girlfriend stay overnight with both nights...I personally am a strong advocate for having someone stay with you - especially the first night - to monitor that which is being done to/for you along with all meds that are being administered.

Guessing if your surgeon is Laguna that you are at FV SD....at least 2 yrs ago, they truly tried to put all bariatric patients into private rooms.  That was simply incredible and makes it much more feasible to have someone spend the night.

Best of luck to you!  Hold on...the ride is just about to begin and it is very fast moving!