Advice needed KMART shoppers

ok kids, I've been reading and reading the posts giving advice on what to take to the hospital, and what to do, what not to do after surgfery, but I never thought I'd get approved, and I'm old AND blonde, so I don't remember. SO, what are the definites that I should take to the hosp, and also, tell me about things I should have already on hand when I come home etc etc...ALL advice is appreciated...hugs, Carol

Hi Carol, This is what I have read from lots of profiles and posts are the most needed things to take: 1. small battery operated fan 2. slippers 3. robe for walking the halls (don't want to flash anyone do we?) 4. may want a cd player & some relaxing cd's 5. toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant 6. DEFINITELY take a couple of tubes of chapstick since you won't be able to drink for a long while after surgery & it will feel good to your lips. 7. long wooden spoon or tongs (for bathroom visits, wrap the toilet paper around the spoon end of the spoon & use it for, well you know, because it wont be that easy to turn & bend & reach around. 8. change of underwear 9. back scratcher, if you're on morphine it will cause itching & you can scratch with this. other than this most people find they don't need anything else. If you are going to be in the hospital for a lengthy stay (say 5 days or so) and you'll be allowed to shower you might want to take your own soap & shampoo. Hope this helps, Greg

HAHA! They wouldn't let me put a robe on cause of all the IV's! Lordy, I flashed my parents so much during those 5 days at the hospital! *Blushes* However, when I was in the hall - They made me put another gown around my back. Ugh!

Hi Carol! Honestly, I took a ton of stuff to the hospital but never used any of it! I mean your in bed, and thats is where your gonna wanna stay! LOL! -Non-Slip Slippers -Chap Stick -Something comfortable to wear home, I took a dress cause it didn't have a waist band or anything! -Panties (That's if your able to wear them! Ugh!) -Pads -Brush -Your own pillow -Your pills -A book or magazine (If your able to stay awake long enough to read! LOL) Now to have at home... Clear Liquid Diet (This is what you should be on when you get home) -Water (if you perfer bottled water!) -Sugar-free jello -Chicken Broth -Sugar-free popsicles -Sugar-free kool-aid (Or make it with splenda!) -Coffee -Ice Tea Full Liquid Diet -Sugar-free/Low Carb Carnation Instant Breakfast (You can buy these ready-made) -Baby Cereal -Sugar-free hot chocolate -Cream of wheat, farina, or grits -skim milk (if able to tolerate) -Yogurt without fruit (Wal-mart blue bunny, low carb, or Kroger brand is perfect) -Vegetable Juice (V8) -Creamed Soups strainted NO CARBONATED BEVERAGES! Hope this helps... -Katie

ok... Where do you get the already made instant carnation s/f breakfast? Do you add protein to yours? I want to also be ready and have the best tasting stuff. Sheila

Hey Shelia, Check your local grocery store for them... Most of the time its in the cereal aisle OR near the hot chocolate/coffee aisle. Our wal-mart in town has the ready-made drinks by the slim-fast, low-carb bars, and crap... It took me awhile to find them though.... However, the low-carb slim-fast has more protein then the carnation instant breakfast.. Also... you can go to this website and order them by the case OR atleast look up where you can find them near you... http://www.carnationinstantbreakfast.com/ Hope this helps! By the way, They no longer make the "No sugar added" mixes - you have to buy the blue box that says "Low-carb" or something like that... You'll see what I'm talkin about! -Katie

Katie, I have a question for you. Today when I went to the hospital for those pre-op tests one of the ladies told me I did not have to bring my medicines. But you listed to bring your pills to the hospital. Should I bring mine even though they said I would not have to?? When did you start taking your pills after surgery? Thanks for the help. Julie

Julie, I stoped taking 2 of my pills before surgery, it was really by my own choice. So, I only had my blood pressure pill to take - Which I didn't start taking till I got home.... Even then it was awhile because I broke it up and stired it in to my yogurt. However, every person is different when it comes to there RX - So my advice would be take them with you and LISTEN TO DR. HRUSKA! She'll tell you when to start taking them, she'll tell you how, and everything! Dr. Hruska is really the only person you need/should listen! That was her words to me the day I left the hospital! Good luck, Katie

The stuff everybody has mentioned is good. But I really did not use most of what I took. I was drugged and sleepy, so I did not look at TV or mags or anything else till I got home. My one big thing would be to take some really big underwear that will not cut into you. You have a variety of locations for the incisions, and it is hard for me right now to keep my undies and shorts adjusted where they are not rubbing an incision (2 weeks post-op). Good Luck, Jules

Ok everyone has their own favs for the hospital stay. A lot of it depends on your size, what they have you attatched to and how you feel after the surgery. This is the list of what I actually packed and used. House slippers Bath Robe Two Piece PJ's ( I was allowed to change into that when I was my first day post op and my cath came out. Luckily the neck was big enough that I could work it around my central line.) Journal ( I had my fav nurses and therepist sign) Camera (gotta have the before shots ) Toothbrush Pads/Tampons (which use depends on you and when the cath comes out) Underwear Hair brush Hats ( not washing hair can cause a few 'bad' hair days) My going home clothes was the same clothes I wore to the hospital. As far as chapstick,toothpaste,deodorant,powder. The hospital gave me all of those. I really liked the chapstick. Also since my mom was with me and frankly after surgery I could have caredless about who wiped my butt I didn't do the spoon deal. Now for the after surgery WALK WALK WALK. The sooner you start that and get it going the much better your recovery is and it lessens the likelyhood of clots. Now the what not to do afterwards. Your surgeon will more than likely give you your restrictions. However I personally found that drinking anything including water after surgery was difficult. I finally figured out the problem was I was used to gulpping down my liquids. Took me a while to finally learn to just let them slide down into my pouch. Things to have on hand: A lot of that depends on your surgeon and your progression through the stages. When I left the hospital I was already on a full liquid diet. By the time my 2wk post op appt rolled around I had started the puree'd stage. At my 2wk appt my surgeon told me I was doing well and could go ahead and start on solids. So I never really got to use much of the stuff I bought for the full liquid and puree'd stages. However sf popcicles, apple sauce with cinnamon,yougert was what I basically lived on right after surgery. When I moved to the puree'd stage it was mashed potato, baked potato, "blenderized" chicken,smooth peanut butter,and eggs. Just remember your new pouch is real small so a box of jello or a container of yougert goes a long way. Don't buy too much stuff cause odds are A you might no longer like the taste of it after surgery or B you will bypass the stage and not touch it again. Can't wait for you to take your spot on our "bench" *huggles*