Hospital Stay and Other Precautionary Things :)

You won't need much, but some is up to personal preference. Yes, they do have toothbrushes, paste, deodorant, etc., but they aren't fantastic. Same for soap and "shampoo" (usually an all-in-one body wash). I chose to take my own toiletries in travel sizes, including small silicone bottles of my own shampoo and conditioner. Ditto for lip balm...I've never worked at a hospital that had decent lip balm. For me, the Biotene dry mouth spray was a lifesaver post-op. I second the "wear the same clothes out as in". Don't forget a case for glasses if you wear them (leave contacts at home).

For entertainment, I took my phone, iPad mini, and charger. I took other stuff (a professional journal and some light knitting), but didn't use it. Just keep in mind that the hospital is not liable for lost or stolen property. All my things fit in a standard backpack. Leave money, credit cards, and jewelry/watches at home, including body jewelry.

For food, I didn't buy anything special. SF jello and pudding, plain yogurt, then hummus, etc when I could progress to puréed. I had bought two tubs of Syntrax Nectar protein drink for my pre-op that I knew my diabetic husband or my parents would drink if my taste buds changed after surgery. I still like them, so they are my main protein source right now.

I would also add ear plugs and a sleeping mask. My roommate had a knee replacement surgery and was in a lot of pain. They checked on her hourly through the night. Also, there were some elderly patients on the floor that you could sometimes hear. It depends on your hospital/clinic, but such small items are easy to pack :)

It is so funny you posted this. I was just going to look for advice.  I know I will bring my phone and mini cheap tablet. I have to bring my own soap cause the hospital's has aloe in it and I am allergic.  I will bring many pairs of underwear. It is a comfort item for me. I will have my son put a pillow in the car for the ride home.

I was told not to expect any rest the first night. They will be coming in every half hour to check on me. Second night I can sneak some in. I love to read but morphine will blur my eyes so I am passing on books and magazines.

Question has anyone use a walker and had to deal with IV the odd feeling your guts are falling out ? I cannot see how I can hold my abdomen and the walker. (I have a bad hip).

See if you can get an abdominal wrap somewhere.  I did not know about them until two weeks after my surgery, when ai finally got one it was so great.

totally agree with this. i wore an abdominal binder for weeks after surgery and it made me feel SO much better. also a pillow for the car ride home to press against your abdomen.

The two things I brought based on other recommendations on line were Gas-X dissolvable strips and Biotene mouth spray. Because you can't have anything by mouth before your leak test, your mouth gets super dry very fast and it's hard to keep it moist. The spray helped a lot with that. I had a hard time getting the gas to move even though I was walking every two hours for 20 minutes. The strips helped a lot with that.

I brought hair ties to keep my hair up and out of the way, and brush to keep it under control. Besides my cell phone that's all I used of what I brought to the hospital. 

It's easy to think you need to buy a lot of liquids/foods for after surgery but you'll be shocked by how little you'll be able to take in those first few weeks. We hear it in classes, etc., but when you see it in front of you and realize for those first two weeks you can't get more in than one of those little ounce cups every 15-30 minutes, including water, it really hits you. I ended up sending the hubby to the Pho shop to buy broth for me a lot, and added unflavored protein powder to it.

The only thing I needed was my phone and charger to text my family. I brought a toothbrush and was glad of it. In my hospital they provided lip balm but sold toothbrushes in a vending machine in the hall.

Mostly, though, I was pretty wasted the entire hospital stay. I slept and slept and slept. Then I went home.

Yes..."slept and slept and slept.  Then I went home".

I was only in the hospital one overnight. I slept most of the time, or walked (in the hospital gown and robe with the IV stand).  I wasn't able to read anything because my vision was out of whack due to anti nausea and pain meds.  I did have my phone and charger so that I could communicate with my family.

Honestly, I don't even remember brushing my teeth or hair.  I'm sure I did, but don't recall.  And I'm a full makeup before leaving the house person.

I really didn't care about anything other than sleeping, walking and getting fluids in.

Oh...  I did have to bring my CPAP from home.

Best wishes!!

Congratulations on one step closer... Here is a great list.

Weight Loss Surgery Hospital Stay:  What To Pack

One of the most common questions pre-op weight loss surgery patients ask OH post-ops is:  "What should I pack for my hospital stay?"  Here is a list of some of the most recommended suggestions:

1. Loose fitting clothes for the ride home (You may be a little swollen!)
2. A pillow (To put over your stomach so that you can put your seat belt on after surgery, to place over your stomach when you need to cough)
3. ChapStick
4. Front zip sports bra
5. A list of your medicines
6. Open back Slippers (non-slip)
7. iPod with headphones (or something to listen to during your recovery)
8. A loose house robe to go around your hospital gown
9. A good book
10. Lotion
11. Water bottle for the ride home
12. Personal toiletries-toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, lotion, hairbrush, make-up and deodorant
13. Earplugs (In case your roomie snores!)
14. Insurance card
15. Biotene mouth spray (For dry mouth)
16. Cell phone and charger
17. Gas-X
18. Baby wipes
19. Hair band
20. A camera to take before pictures
21. Extra underwear
22. CPAP machine if you use one
23. Reading glasses or prescription glasses
24. Favorite photos that will comfort you
25. Laptop or E-reader device

Of all the items in the list above, ChapStick is a must according to many WLS post-ops.   You should leave your jewelery and other expensive items at home.  Bringing a Laptop, iPod, and other electronics is usually not encouraged and many post-ops have commented that they were too sleepy and too busy walking to want to read, check email, and do other activities that don't involve personal care.

WLS post-ops...Is there anything you would add to this list?

I second the dry mouth spray. That was my biggest issue in the hospital. It felt like an eternity before I could drink anything and I was dying. I didn't have the spray, but it certainly would've saved my sanity. I was ready to kill someone for a drink of water.