what to bring to the hospital??

Hello everyone my surgery is Monday morning and I am so excited. I was wondering if someone could give me tips of what to bring and what not to bring. I will be at HRRH and I haven't stayed overnight in a hospital since I was 7. Thanks for your help.

Amanda

I took lip balm as the first 24hrs I was very dry feeling.  Something to read, shampoo, bodywash toothbrush and paste and hair brush.  I didn't take a housecoat and I never needed it as I wore another gown as a housecoat ( I was completely covered)  Slippers or slip on shoes for walking the halls and I brought a small pillow for the ride home to protect my tummy from my seatbelt.

Good Luck with your surgery!

Thank you! See I'm glad I made this post. I never would have hough to bring a pillow for the ride home or lip balm!! I'm so nervous that I'm afraid I will forget something. Time to make a list.

Hey Amanda , 

Wow ! Monday will be here in a flash ! I remember the butterflies I had in the couple of days leading up to surgery day ! So exciting and nerve wracking at the same time ! Anyway , to answer your question. ...I drove to the hospital with hubby , in yoga pants , a t-shirt and a zipper hoody. When you arrive and are processed you remove these clothes so this is what I wore home also ...very comfy ! I took my Kindle with a good book on it that I was in the middle of , I took my cell phone and charger , some may laugh ...but I took my skin care wash , lip balm,moisturizer and my make up bag along with a hairbrush , toothbrush and toothpaste . I took 4 pairs of fresh knickers .....a loose nightie and very loose pj pants and housecoat , along with my slippers . I took some facial wipes but didn't use them at all as I found I was totally ok to get up and wash that night , and that felt great ! Also my little boy insisted i took along a little soft monkey teddy so that would make me think of him all the time 😍So he sat on my bed table making sure i drank my cups ! Lol ....That was it , I did use everything on this list . I read that night after most of the wooziness wore off , and a lot the next day in between napping and walks .I did call home , and was on whatsapp constantly to my family ( who are all back in Scotland ) I was taking pix of everything !!😂 The little jello pots ...the little medicine cups for my fluids ...my incision sites and what have you ! Even the view from my window as I could see the CN tower ! ( I was at TWH ) . 

I think that's everything that I took . I really enjoyed my experience , I know that may sound weird ...but I think if you relax and go with the flow and trust that you are in good hands , you will be fine . I had no complications with anything , and I was not shy in taking the pain meds every time they were offered . The nurses there were absolutely fantastic and I enjoyed chatting with them .So I found I was really comfortable and I felt great , so I just enjoyed the 'quiet time ' for myself !! If youre a wife and a mummy you'll probably get what I mean ! Lol 

Anyway , best of luck to you dear ☺ Just go with it , enjoy it and please believe me when I say , the surgery part is simply just a little blip in this whole thing , you will be on the other side of it and beginning your new life very very soon .

Positive vibes going your way chicky , hope to hear from you next week when we need to scoot up on the infamous bench for you ....😆.....p.s ..ask whomever is picking you up to bring a little cushion for underneath your seat belt to hold against your tummy on the ride home , really helps .

Take care 

Jax x

Thanks Jax on all the positive vibes! I have been following your posts and you are so sweet. You are an inspiration. 

So excited for you Amanda!!!! I was given the same list from Jax as she gave you...so its a good one!  The pillow on the ride home under your seat belt is a Godsend.  I did bring a book and didn't even open it.  If you have a CPAP machine remember to bring it LOL  I lived in my pj's the whole time and slippers.  I did brush my hair everyday and washed my face with a washcloth.  I brought my deodorant with me too!  Some people bring a pillow from home to sleep in the hospital beds with, I didn't but sort of wish I had.  Can't wait to hear your post, from the hospital.... telling me to move the hell over on the bench!!! YOU GOT THIS GIRL!  hugs xox

I would definitely recommend taking ear plugs and a sleeping mask. I was in a semi private room alone the first night, but the second night I had a roommate with a knee replacement and she was in a lot of pain and the nurse was in every hour. It also helps as you will probably nap a lot :)

most people forget but with the stress of surgery most women should pack some pads in case their start their periods. Even when you're not due the stress of everything could make you start and the rapid weight loss and hormones.  

Good luck, I just had mine a week ago and everything went great, as will yours! Honestly, I didn't use much while there. The comfy clothes I brought I never got to wear because of my IV. I used my phone, Biotene mouth spray (keeps your mouth moist whne you can't drink much) and lip balm. I also had my basic skin care stuff (toner, wipe on cleanser and lotion) which I used. My partner brought me 10 magazines which sat unread because I couldn't focus due to the meds. The only one I read was National Enquirer because nothing's longer than a couple of sentences lol

I'm glad you asked this question. I'm not having surgery for a couple more weeks but I have started a list of things to bring and this helped. I hope everything goes wonderfully.