What did you bring to the hospital on your surgery day?

My surgery is 2/23/09 and I'm trying to figure out what to bring to the hospital. I hate wearing those "sheets" they give you to cover up everything but your behind....I was thinking some flanel pajama pants (no beauty pagent lol) and a baggy tee shirts? Someone told me the Gas-x strips dont work as well as the chewables, so i'm bringing those and a whole bunch of packets of crystal lite and sf koolaid, my pillow from home and headphones to listen to music on my iphone. (Anyone who wants that number to text, send me a message) I'd love to hear from you guys!
I'm getting sooo excited!!

hello and good luck.

I was very hot after surgery.  I mean hot hot.   Was glad for a thin night gown.
I didnt take anything other that robe and slippers.  They will give you all you can have.
I couldnt have anything the first day,  and then gradually 1 oz of water or crystal light an hour.

Good luck and welcome to the bench

Baby wipes or those cottonelle wipes. Yes yes yes.

Maybe a book or mags...although I was so droopy from the morphine I fell asleep in my jello. : P

Good luck! Congrats!

I am not planning on bringing anything but maybe my robe, my cell phone, and chapstick.   I'm going to have my DH bring the laptop in case I feel up to logging on.  Other than that, I plan to bring drawstring sweatpants and a loose t-shirt to wear home. I've heard that anything tight does not get along well with the incisions.


send me your phone info.. we can keep in touch from our hospital beds.

2/23!!!!!17 days and counting!

Did your surgeon indicate how long you would be in the hospital? I know Barix had very large gowns that covered everything, so that was great. I wouldn't worry about loading up on crystal lite packets and things like that because chances are you won't want them anyway - they'll give you water to sip on and if you have comfy slippers take them for walking. Definitely your iPhone or whatever you listen to music on. At Barix we were allowed to use our cellphones but I know most hospitals prohibit cell phone use, so you better check that.

The BEST thing for the gas pains you'll have is walking - getting up and moving will move that gas thru your system and you'll feel so much better for it.

Best of luck to you!!

I agree about the gowns... I probably won't bring my robe, but may just because it is comfy.  I was at the hospital yesterday for my endoscopy and the gowns there were actually TOO BIG!  It was great being able to walk to the bathroom without worrying about exposing myself to  the rest of the place.  I know I  will  only be there overnight unless something weird happens, which I doubt.  

Check it out with your doc and hospital. You don't want to bring too much stuff.  Then you'll be bogged down.    We're getting there!

I was allowed to wear my own pajamas first day post op.  Keep it loose.  I also brought extra undies and socks of course. 

Slip on shoes/flip flops and/or slippers with a good sole for walking the halls

Chapstick - a MUST

Mouth wash - helped with the dry feeling

I'm a sucker for having my own personal items...so I brought my own soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.  I had surgery on Tuesday, was allowed to shower on Wednesday (laproscopic surgery), and was discharged on Thursday (after another shower....)  They had all that stuff there - but like I said - I'm a sucker for having my own items with me.  I also travel NO WHERE without my own pillow, so that came along too.  Also helped for the car ride home.

my ipod and headphones

I brought magazines but couldn't focus on them long enough to read them

The surgery can throw your female cycle into a tail spin...and I woke up day of with mine (go figure) and brought my own pads...they wouldn't let me use tampons....and again...they had some there...but not "my brand"  (wow...don't I sound like a stuck up snob at this point???)

I wore my pj's home

Pam

I agree with everone else - I would have been lost without my ipod! I had an annoying room mate and it helped me sleep and block out some of the noise. Loose clothing is a must. I was FREEZING in the hospital so I liked having my short robe. Like Pam said - bring your own pads, they have them but it is oh like and NYC phone book! very uncomfortable.

I too brought my own pillow and was glad to have it on the way home.

I had magazines but couldn't concentrate, I doubt I could have used the laptop although I would have tried! Cell phone and charger.

GOod luck on the 23rd to you both!

Liz

lol... i read 2 books after surgery... but I had a loose fitting nightgown... so i didn't have anything hanging off my waist... but i had my pillow and a small blanket... and I froze too... sooo cold I had to call for the nurse because i thought my teeth were going to fall out from the chattering...

I really needed my chapstick!  Very dry in the hospital.  I held onto a tube until they wheeled me away for surgery along with my glasses.  They kept my glass case for me until I was in recovery (had chapstick inside). I can't stand not being able to see or being without my chapstick!! I had another tube planted on my husband and a few extra in my overnight bag.

I wore fleece PJs day 2 and 3. I wanted something soft against me as I had open  RNY.  They were not too warm-just right. I wore them home too! I used a robe when I was walking because the halls were cooler than my room.

I didn't read at all, can't remember what was on TV, did listen to music, and must have slept a heck of a lot because I can't remember what else I did.

I brought a list on numbers for my husband to call to fill people in on the surgery. I packed a snack and a new paperback for hubby while he waited (just like when I was in labor with our 3 children!!)

Wish you both the best on the 23rd!!

Kelly