I have a date!! and a lot of questions!!!

Hi- I have a date!! July 29th!!  I was so glad to hear that she kept me on that tentative date even though I had been having approval problems and it didn't look like I'd get approved in time!!  woohoo TWO weeks and I'll be on that Loser's Bench,  Save me some room!!  

Okay, now for the questions....what do I take to the hospital ?? 

                             What do I do with my hair the day of surgery?  I usually mousse and spray it, I know I'll be having a mask and a shower cap(?) on that day,  so what do I do? this is a big thing to me, I hate my hair in my eyes, and if I don't spray it, that's where it'll be!

                        Can I get a perm this week??

                  Should I take a snap up gown, you know like a shift ? that's what my mom called them,  I'm thinking if I have to be in a hospital gown, they don't stay closed very well and this may be a better solution, if they'll let me wear it.

Please, help me with any advice, suggestions, and what I did and what I wished I had done stories!! 

Thank you all!!

Diane

I was in the hospital just one night....so I didn't need much.

I just got up the morning of....took a shower..and dried my hair back so it woudln't be in my eyes.

I just wore the hospital gown..and took my own robe...for walking the halls.

The things I am glad I took were a comfy pair of slippers....chapstick..cuz I was so dry!

But other than than..I pretty much slept and walked....so I wasn't worried about my hair or anything.

Good Luck! I know its such an exicitng time!

Hi Diane,

Congrats on getting a date!!!  The next 2 weeks will fly by. 

I was always one to put "gunk" in my hair too, but on the day of surgery, I just washed it in the am and pulled it back into a loose pony tail.  They wont let you have any kind of barretts and stuff in your hair, I was able to keep my scrunchi in.  I just thought it would be easier to manage without waking up to sticky hair.  I took a loose robe to wear around the back of me, so I could walk in the halls... I would definitely recommend it!!  I also took a set of lounge pants and T-shirt for the next day.  Once my foley came out I put my own clothes on, with a very soft bra, so I could walk around easier, and feel I was covered.  I also took my crocs... they were easy to slip in and out of when every I got up.  I ended up wearing my lounge set home.  Just be sure everything is light and loose, your tummy will be a little swollen from surgery, and you really won't want anythingn snug in that area!!!

Hope this helps... any other questions feel free to ask!!

Good luck

Caroline

Congratulations Diane!!!

Get your hair done before no problem. Take as little as possible to the hospital with you. I was also in the hospital just one night, and didn't use anything but my cell phone and slippers.

You'll want to use the hospital gown due to the IV's in you, and they give you everything, like toothbrush and toothpaste. Some will say to take wet wipes, but I guess that depends on how long your staying. I wore in something loose and comfortable, that's also what I wore home, I wasn't out to impress anyone, heck I just had major surgery!

One tip I'll give you - walk as soon and as much as you can. It helps get rid of the gas inside and you'll start the road to recovery much faster. I was given this advice by someone that had surgery and followed it. When I woke up in my room I needed to use the bathroom, so the nurse and hubby first helped me up, I figured then that since I was up I should walk, so we walked the hallways. Ever step got easier, and when I would wake up at night I'd get up and walk.

So walk, walk, walk and sip, sip, sip your fluids!

Best wishes to you as you begin your journey

Diane,

Congratulations on getting the date! Two weeks will be here before you know it.

Don't take much to the hospital...you really won't need it. I took a pair of elastic waist pants and a t-shirt. I changed into them a few hours after surgery so that I could be more comfortable and walk the halls with more dignity. They were able to disconnect the IV in order for me to put the shirt over my head and I didn't have any drains in to complicate matters either. You may want to ask your Dr. about any drains or other things that they may have in you that would make wearing button down clothing necessary.

I wouldn't gunk up your hair the day of surgery. Just dry it so that it stays out of your face as much as possible. Bring a headband or a scrunchie to tie it back once you are out of surgery. You will probably sleep most of surgery day (I slept, walked, and used the bathroom only).

A perm this week would be fine as far as I know.

Make sure to take lots of pre-surgery pictures and measurements...especially before you start a liquid diet (not doing these things pre-liquid diet was my downfall). Start a journal about your process and the reasons why you are doing this. The first few weeks post-op can be difficult as you are sometimes in pain/uncomfortable, have some head hunger, and go through some depression as your body begins to adjust to the changes. I'm starting to pull out of that post-surgery funk now and I'm really grateful that I wrote down all of the reasons that I'm going through this.

Again, I will be wishing you the best!

Congratulations Diane...

Definately bring YOUR OWN PILLOW for the ride home to brace yourself. That was my most valueable item leaving. Every little bump felt like a jack hammer on my stomach.

I was in for 2 nights. My doc does a 'leak test' the next day' and then as long as everything is ok we went home the following day. Check with your doc's office to see what their typical length of stay is. Jan summed it up best. Bring as little as possible because you then need to lug it all home (with what ever else you accumulate .. espicially flowers) when you're there..

Personally I brought.. chap stick, my ipod (my doc suggests music as it relaxes you and gives you something else to focus on) and since I was in a room with someone else it was nice when she had the tv on if I was trying to sleep I just plugged in the ipod. slippers with grippy bottoms and loose fitting clothes. My neice whose 13 came over the morning after my surgery and fixed my hair so that I would look nice.. Or a scrunchie, headband, barrets ect. and a brush. Just so that you can pull your hair back cause it'll feel greasy after surgery. I also brought a trial size bottle of shower gel from Bath & body works. It was nice for giving myself a quick sponge bath the morning of day 2 & day 3 before going home. I'm sure if you need anything, if the nurses can't get it for you.. some one can bring it to you.. But I doubt you will..

Stay focused on your light at the end of your tunnel.. :) Hugs,

One thing that was a lifesaver for me...

Peppermint essential oil!  I rubbed it on the neck of my hospital gown and breathing it in really helped with the nausea. 

Otherwise, chapstick, robe, and slippers were the other essentials for me.  I took a book, but didn't ever feel non-groggy enough to read it.  I also didn't feel like watching much tv.  I slept, sipped, and walked.  That was really all I felt like doing while in the hospital. 

Congratulations and welcome to the loser's bench!

Diane,

You will get many replies and  I agree with them all take as minimal as possible, but just to add one thing, if you tend to get overheated, take a small fan or have your family bring one in.  I was so hot in the room and had a roomate who weight 14 lbs. and was always freezing.

Good luck to you and we will be waiting on the bench for you.

 

Jeanne

Congratulations on your date!

Everyone else has posted excellent suggestions.  I'd like to add that I just wore hospital gowns, it's much easier.  If you're worried about flashing anyone while walking after surgery, ask for two gowns, and wear one like a robe.

I wear my hair SHORT, so I basically had a buzz cut just before surgery.  I did not lose any hair post-op, so it wasn't an issue.

I wasn't in the hospital long enough to need entertainment, so I didn't take any books, etc.  I figured if I needed anything, my sister could bring it later.

Be sure to walk walk walk and sip sip sip!  Oh, and be sure to use your incentive spirometer (I call it a huffer puffer) to help keep your lungs clear post-op.  If the hospital forgets to give you one, ask for it.

I just remembered that in the pre-op room, they gave me a HUGE bag of IV saline and then my surgery was delayed, so I really had to go to the bathroom.  If you have to go prior to surgery, don't be shy about it.  I knew I didn't want to pee all over the OR, and frankly, that bag o'saline was like drinking a 2 liter bottle of water in one sitting.

Good luck, and you'll do just fine!  See you on the bench!

Kix

 

I was in for 3 days and the very next day I changed into my own gown and robe.  It was new and satin floral and I felt like a queen walking around the ward while everyone else was in their hospital gown.  I'm a little of a showboat like that because I like attention but it did feel good to have something nice on.

I brought too much crap with me that I didn't need.  I would say chapstick, slippers, your own pillow and if you don't mind wearing a lounge dress home (I had several cotton/spandex, t-shirt type dresses that I wish I brought to wear), I would recommend that.  I hated anything around my waist because of the incision sites.

Good luck and keep us posted