hospital stay

what did everyone find helpful to take to the hospital with them.  I don't know what to pack and I am a huge planner.  Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!!!

I-pod! and a fantastic playlist. You will be on some pleasant la la la drugs - so a nice playlist to help you relax will be well used. 

I know I brought some books too but never looked at them. My goal was to get up, get walking and get out as soon as possible because the hard work begins when you get out of hospital. 

Good luck! 

Chapstick is a must! Other than some comfy clothes :)

Don't pack too much.  The hospital will provide you with almost everything you need (comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, lotion, soap, etc.). They even provided non-slip socks for walking and a bathrobe.  Remember that anything you bring will have to be brought home and put away.  You won't feel like dealing with that when you get home.  You will be sleeping, walking, and sleeping again ...and not much else.  I had no attention span after surgery.  I brought several magazines and never looked a any of them  

You should bring chap stick (your lips will be really dry), very loose fitting clothes to come home in (you will likely gain weight from the IV fluids). Earplugs will help you sleep.  The hospital is a NOISY place.  Bring the pillow you sleep on from home.  It will make it much easier to be comfortable in the hospital.  Hospital pillows SUCK!   You can use that pillow on your ride home to hold against your stomach when you go over a bump in the road.

Good Luck!!!

Ipod, earplugs and pillow.  You might want your own toothbrush even though the hospital provides one.

I would be a minimalist.  Identification, lip balm, a phone charger and a change in underwear worked for me.  The hospital supplied toiletries.   I went home in the clothes I went to the hospital in.  I was in a morphine/Toradol haze for most of my stay, so bringing anything else to entertain me or read was worthless.  Man, that morphine/Toradol haze was wonderful..............

I agree with the others. Don't bring too much. I left in the same clothes I came in. I did bring slip on shoes to walk in because I hate the gripable socks they give. I also brought a pillow to hug in the car on the way home.

My mouth was so dry so the nurse brought me a bunch of those sponges on a stick to use to wet my mouth (I was not allowed anything to eat or drink for 24 hours).