Hospital stay advice

Hello everyone! My name is Julie, and I'm new here. I was wondering if those here who are post-op would be willing to give me some insight on what to take to the hospital. I will have to stay a few extra days because on top of the RNY bypass, I'll have to have a feeding tube placed for a few months. So... is there anything that you didn't take that you wished you had? And what did you take that you found you didn't need? What would you take if you had it all to do over again? Thanks for taking the time to read and answer!   

Julie,

     I found that I took lots of things I didn't use. I took my own toothbrush, etc, because I don't like the hospital ones. I do take the hospital provided one home and use it for cleaning small places. You also need to take a very good lip balm because you will have chapped lips. You will want a robe, but I never put on my own nightgowns. Undies; I always take extra undies.  Most hospitals don't want you to wear flip-flops or slip-on slippers. Many hospitals use their stockings that are color coded for high risk or low risk fall potential. Leave your jewelry at home. They usually have a clock in each room. I know some people take their laptops, i-pads and the likes. That is up to you since you will be staying a few extra days. If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Oh, I take my own pillow with a very colorful pillow case so it won't be kept by the hospital. Helps me remember to take it home.     Mag   

Here is a basic packing list based on my experience. Anything more for me was overkill.

* Loose fitting clothes for the ride home from the hospital
* Slip on slippers because it hurts too much to bend to put some on. My hospital didn't provide anything special and had no problem with using slip on's. (I used mine to go home in too)
* CHAPSTICK
* Panties
* Cell phone (since you will be there longer, maybe a laptop too?)
* Robe
* Ask if you should bring your own meds, as some docs do not order the meds you took pre-op for during the hospital stay.
* Things to read.
* My own toiletries.
Thats about it!
Hope this helps.

Welcome to the group Julie.  I had RNY too.  I packed things that I thought I would need.  Ended up only taking the chapstick out of my bag.  I wished I packed slip on slippers, didn't want to call for help to put on the hospital provided slippers.  I did ask for help, I wanted to be up and mobile asap after surgery.

I brought my cpap machine, they instructed me to bring it.  Check with your hospital if they want you to bring your meds, most hospitals do not want yours at the hospital.  Consult with your surgeon on any meds that you need to change from long acting or extended release to short acting, get these meds changed over to short acting ones before surgery.

I had a friend that had a feeding tube in place for a few months, you will do well.

Also bring a pillow, the hospital ones are not always as good as your own, and you can use it to pad the seat belt for the trip home.  Use a colorful case to identify it as yours.

Yes, I would do the surgery all over again.  Live is sooooo much better with less of me to carry about.  I am still working the program and doing my best to get in activity.  The pouch works, thank goodness for wls for those of us that need the tool.  I needed the tool, and it works, you just need to get into the new and improved lifestyle that brings health.  This is a lifestyle change, not a diet.  Yayyyyy wls!!!!

A couple extra things to think about.  If you bring your cell phone bring your charger too seeing that your going to be there a few extra days.
Do you do any crafts that you could bring?  A book for sure even if you don't read often.  Or bring a load of those magazines that you haven't gotten to. When your done you can leave them in the waiting room for others.
Hand lotion, face moisturizer, all of your current meds, your own lip moisturizer, a signed health care directive, sun glasses.  I got a headache from the drugs and used my sun glasses until it finally went away.
Good luck to you and don't worry you'll be fine!

Wow! What great advice!  Thanks everyone! Vrey helpful!