What did you pack for the hospital?

I'm having open so I'll be there for about 5 days... ok...so I starting to get my 'affairs in order'..getting the bills paid...food shopping...getting the house ready...preparing hubby and kids etc...and I began to think...what do I need to pack for the hospital? So I know my cpap comes with me...and well I've determined it will be 'that time of the month for me (of course!)' so I'll bring some feminine stuff - I prefer my own, and of course panties. Now I'm figuring some lose fitting shorts and t-shirts? I assume they'll have me walking around and I don't think I'll be comfy with just a jonny on. Some slippers. So now I'm stuck...should I bring soap, shampoo, conditionar? How about pillow, and blanket from home? I'm trying to think of what I brought when I gave birth to my daughter to help...but I figured I should ask! Let me know. Thanks

Hi Jessica, I had open on Thursday and was home by Sunday. I packed a whole bag full of stuff to bring and I actually USED my comb, a scrunchi and my toothbrush. Betz

hi there.. i'm curious if you've ever had abdominal surgery before? i ask because i used to pack for the hospital - and then i realized i never used any of it. you're going to be dead tired and drugged, as well as, hooked up to a bunch of wires. they need you in a johnny because the sleeves have buttons and can be easily removed and changed - like if you throw up, or bleed/leak. you can't change into something other than a johnnie without unplugging from your IVs. i'm sure if you have lap surgery, you'll be much more maneuverable, however, changing after you've been cut open is a feat best left until your last day. the johnnies they give you are huge. they also give you a seperate one to use as a robe. i thought i'd never walk around in a johnnie, and then you realize you are so tired and worn out that a) you don't care and b) no one else cares either! lol bring your slippers - but usually once they put their no-slip/sticky socks on you - getting them on/off without help isn't easy!! so you may never use them. the hospital provides toiletries - but i never once used their shampoo/conditioner - there was no way in hell i was going to attempt washing my hair in the sink. although, there may have been a shower in the room - i can't remember - but i know every morning, it was hard enough to try to wash my own body with my drains hanging out - my hair was my last concern. by the time you're done simply washing your arms belly and legs - you're ready to go back to bed. NO JOKE! if you have long hair - 2 FRENCH BRAIDS!!! this was the best tip i ever got about a surgery stay. this was the only way my hair stayed unmatted. bring your own pads - not tampons. you may not be able to bend properly! wear your loose fitting clothes to the hospital - wear them home. have your husband bring a pillow if you like, but have him wait until you're settled in Co-op 3. bring chapstick. your lips are going to dry out like crazy. bring your own toothbrush - the one they provide is super cheap. other than that.. you really don't need anything. you're going to sleep and walk and eat and drink - and that's going to exhaust you. i'm really not exagerating.. so if any other post-ops can chime in - please do! kristen*

I'm with Kristen on this one! I had two abdominal surgeries before so I had a clue of what to bring and what not to bring. My surgery was Lap but even at that Kris is right, the Johnnys are all you wear. They have you put on two, one facing one way and another facing the other so everything covered. And they are GI-NOR-MUSS!!! My hubby had surgery not to long ago and he weighs 530lbs and is 6'5 and he had room in em so don't worry about things not being covered. And like Kris said you're going to have wires and tubes all over the place and it's going to be such a hassle to unhook things to get you changed. Where the nurses are wonderful I don't see them being to thrilled about undoing things in the event of a mishap. Also if there is in emergency what ever your wearing is going to get cut off so really the Johnnys ya best bet. As far as coming home, bring loose fitting stuff, like track pants and a tee, something you can put on at the hospital and won't have to change when you get home. Trust the drive home in itself will wipe you out so when you get home the last thing you'll wanna do is change. Another thing is if you have slip on shoes bring them too because you won't want to bend over to tie em. I have a few pair of them Sketchers slide sneakers and let me tell ya they are wonderful, for even the days after. Pillows and blankets from home, well that's another issue where if you puke or bleed what do you do with them??? Ya stuck looking at them in your room until someone from home can come get them. The hospital will get you as many pillows as you need. Two under my head, one under my knees and one sitting on my chair! So there is plenty. And that's the same with the blankets too.... I say bring a brush or comb (the braids is a wonderful idea!) Tooth brush, chapstick, Track pants, a tee, slip on shoes, you're feminine supplies and maybe a crosswords book and not too much more! ~Na-Dene~

I had a lap rny and yes I agree with the rest of the girls that posted, you only need to bring a toothbrush which you wont touch until you get to a regulary hospital room. A comb, and some chapstick. Actually, the nurses wouldnt let me put anything on, I had to wear a johnny, Most likely you will be in the step down unit for a few day, and thats where you are hooked up to all kinds of things. I had a cathather in me for three days.....I hope you dont have to, seeing that you may be having your period. But then again, it may just get delayed because of the surgery. I brought my c pap and I only used it once. The nurses in the step down unit had given me the nasal oxygen tubes. Said that would be fine instead of the c pap. So i used them instead. Yes, you will be very very tired. The want you wear their non skid socks, and the stockings they give you. When you are lying down, you have this machine that pops each of your feet one at a time about every 5 seconds. This is keeps your legs moving a little in case of a blood clot. I had my husband bring an afgan from home because I was so cold. This was in May, but being on blood thinning shots made me very cold so I wrapped myself up in it. I would not bring much as you will only have to unpack it when you get home. HOpe this helps too........Carol

Hi Carol: How come you had to have a cathater for 3 days? I'm hoping thats not the case with me. When you woke up, did you have a tube in your nose?

Jeez.........my surgery is 2 weeks from tomorrow and I've been so crazy with moving into the new house and getting financial affairs and employment issues worked out that I completely forgot about packing. LOL. So I can throw my toothbrush in my purse and leave for the hospital is what you're saying......I think I can handle that. My mom will be hovering so she can go get whatever I may need, but thinking back to my last stay in the hospital,...I didn't use much of my own stuff. Someone needs to post once a day and just remind us to BREATHE.........omg....I'm so anxious and nervous and excited that I can't see straight. Thanks for the wonderful tips. Shel

Wow, thanks everyone. I had a c-section last year and thought I'd just pack like I did then! Guess not! Thanks for everyones input! So I figured...this will be my packing, and I'll throw it all in the cute little carry bag that the cpap comes in. Fem. stuff, panties...cause they'll have to let me wear them to hold the pad in place (which could cause problems if I have a cath.! A toothbrush and a book. My cousin will be throwing 4 supertight cornrows in my head that will stay put so my hair doesn't annoy me! So thanks again for everyone's input!

Jessica: I think that's a good idea. I was thinking the same things as far as using my little bag that my cpap comes in...we have to take it anyway, so it should work out well for all those little necessities that we need. There's 3 of us who will be in there at the same time, but I doubt there's going to be much communication..LOL. But keep in mind that while I'm drugged out in my own bed , I'll be thinking about the 2 of you next to me. It's rather comforting actually. I, as well, will have my mom french braid my hair (hopefully, she can do this ) so that I don't have to mess with my hair much. I'm not going to be too worried about that anyway. I did hear another person, not so long ago, advise us to bring a pillow (only for the drive home) so the bumps and sways arn't so bad, especially with the seat belt. I may do that. Well, I'll be seeing you tomorrow at the teaching class and then when they wheel you in there next to me after surgery. Forgive me if I don't jump up and give you a big hug , but just know I'll be thinking about it. See ya tomorrow. We're on the home stretch now.............. Shel

Oh, come on Shel...are you meaning to tell me you didn't plan on skipping down the hallway after surgery! Ok, well, see you both tomorrow...we're getting close girls 2 weeks and counting!