Recovering from surgery: What were your MUST haves?

I am scheduled for RNY on August 15th.

We will be staying overnight at the hospital for 2 nights, then in a hotel for 1 more night afterwards before returning home. (Surgeon/Hospital is 4 hours away from home).

What were some of your MUST HAVES after surgery?

Less than you think. Don't over-pack or over due it. Comfortable clothes (sleeping specifically and around the room), toiletries (don't use the hospital crude), music, book... Sleep! Walk! Sip! Imagine you are walking onto a plane and you want your critical stuff with you to relax, but don't want to carry the world with you. Go light. Then take half of it.

P.S. Wear what you think you'll leave with and only bring a change of underwear. I had a suitcase of crap I never touched more than 20% of it.

For me, sitting up from a lay-flat-in bed position was agony. Hospital beds were awesome because they are electric, and you can push a button to lift yourself up. When you go home, someone needs to assist you every time you want/need to get out of bed. It sucks.

I ended up renting a powered lift-recliner from Rent-A-Center. Soooooo helpful!!!!

A change of underwear and a pillow for the five home, otherwise nothing other than whatever your plan calls for for the first couple of days. I took my kindle but didn't really focus enough to read and I wasn't in a full 24 hours so it wasn't really necessary.

I didn't have any issues getting in/out of bed, going from sitting/standing/etc but everyone's experience in that area varies, it seems.

Good luck!

Other than walking I was pretty much sleeping and down for the most part plus I was only one night at the hospital - then home. I brought my pillow, slippers, wore the same loose outfit to and from the hospital and had extra underwear, lip balm and my phone. I think that is it. It was a blur really. If it were 3 nights away I'd probably bring more toiletries and clothing, maybe my laptop for the hotel night.

Cell phone, charger, pillow, and chapstick. Plus a water bottle. That's it! How exciting to get surgery so soon! It's a great new life on the other side :)

Keep it simple just the must have. Like your cellphone very comfortable clothes for your ride home. Very excited for you keep us posted.

What I packed and used: brand new wrap robe and bed slippers, hairbrush, walking-the-hall slip on shoes, pencil & note-taking paper for gleaning advice from the nurses, thank you card to leave with medical staff, handheld mirror, one outfit of loose-fitting clothes for both arriving and leaving the hospital in, pillow to hold against my midsection for the ride home. What I didn't use but still glad it was along: barf bag, car blanket, and cell phone. Endnote: please remember to stop the car every hour to get some walking in for blood clot prevention purposes. Cheers!

re: once you're home - I just kept myself propped up by a lot of pillows to make getting in and out of bed easier. Oh - and after I had plastic surgery (which was MUCH more painful than my RNY, but YMMV), I had a wedge pillow that I ordered from Bed Bath & Beyond. It was great (I still use it, in fact). I could put it in a couple of different positions depending on if I wanted to lie down or sit, and I could put additional bed pillows on top of it to prop myself up more.

L-Arginine and L-Ornithine capsules for quick healing. I was REALLY surprised that my surgeon ( young very talented guy ) ALSO gave me L-Arginine orange tasting drinks post op. REALLY increased my respect and regard for him.

magazines, books . I had my visitors bring coffee from Starbux downstairs cuz I REALLY missed caffeine. (My surgeon Oked it )

rubber soled slippers for walking every fifteen minutes

Since your going to stay at the hotel I'd bring some protein powder ,powdered skim milk and a blender. You can get ice at the hotel and order out chicken soup too.

I'd bring my laptop and charger ... You're going to want to check in with your friends on here and tell them you're ok... and get support for the excess food withdrawals that are worst the first days post op. (((())))

Are you excited ? you SHOULD be ... you're starting an exciting new chapter in your life ! :) Wishing you an easy operation and quick healing