Question:
What will I need to take to the hospital
What will I need to take to the hospital when I go I need a list if there is one? — [Anonymous] (posted on December 31, 2001)
December 30, 2001
i took a portable fan, a long handled spoon & a box of preperation h
wipes, among a few other things, but these were the only things i used the
whole 4 days.
— sheryl titone
December 30, 2001
All you will need is something to wear home, big and loose fitting, a robe
for when you walk the halls, a fan like the other poster mentioned,
something like carmex or lip balm for your dry lips, a brush. But as far
as personal toiletries, all that I packed, I never used. The hospital
furnished me with a kit, complete w/toothbrush and all. Don't overpack.
It's just something else you'll have to have a loved one drag back home
with you. Oh, and maybe an extra fluffy pillow. That I really needed.
The ones in the hospital are like pancakes. Very light on the cosmetics.
In fact, I didn't wear any make-up home. I was clean, that's all that
mattered at that point. Best wishes to you.
— Annie H.
December 31, 2001
I agree with everyone else on what to bring. One thing that I brought that
nobody suggested was EAR PLUGS. I was right outside the nurses station and
it was like they had a party at 3:00am. It's pretty noisy. Plus, if you
have a roommate that snores, and you can't take it, I would strongly
suggest the earplugs.
— Kris T.
December 31, 2001
You know, I brought a ton of stuff - books, robe, slippers, magazines,
showering stuff. I used nothing. I was too tired/sore/uncomfortable to do
anything but sit there and pray for more drugs. The day I left, I took a
shower, but they provided the essentials. I wouldn't bother bringing
anything more than a change of clothes for the trip home and maybe a book.
— Anna F.
December 31, 2001
I had a LAP RNY 2 weeks sgo and I took everything with me and used nothing!
It never even left the car!
— crishsapig
December 31, 2001
THE BEST THING I TOOK...my portable CD player with a relaxation/healing CD
(mine was piano music). It was great...it blocked out noise of room mate
and her visitors and it helped me relax. After I got home, when I wanted
to relax, I would use it then, too, and I would relax almost instantly -- I
think it helped me "recreate" the morphine moments!! LOL.
Seriously, I was so glad I took it and would recommend to anyone. Best of
luck to you. Open RNY 7/17/01
— blee01
December 31, 2001
To Kris and Bobbi,
Great ideas both. I've been hospitalized a couple of times, once with a
roommate whose visitors stayed with her from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. And they
all talked the entire time. That was in the days before portable music of
any kind, so the earplugs would have been great. If I ever get to the
stage of actually having surger, I think I'll take both.
— garw
December 31, 2001
Enough extra money to get a PRIVATE ROOM! ;) I had the hospital stay from
hell. The only time I did'nt have a private room (for my many surgeries)
was with the RNY.
I NEVER will get a semi private room again. It would have been worth the
$40 a night to have the peace and quiet.
I went 3 days with virtually NO sleep. Not good. And any surgery is bad
enough without that.
— Danmark
December 31, 2001
I agree with Daniel, ask for a private room. I asked and got one but it was
not a sure thing. The first thing I noticed after going to my room from
recovery was "wow! I got my private room!". It's also nicer if
YOU want to have company. My husband planned on staying with me in the room
but we decided he would stay in the motel we had reserved. Go for a private
room if you can.
— crishsapig
December 31, 2001
The things that I took to the hospital that I actually used were magazines,
skid-free slip on shoes for walking the halls, comb and brush, lip balm,
hand cream, shower gel and my pillow from home. What I wished I had brought
was a robe because I never was able to figure out how the hospital gowns
closed for discretion, conditioner for my hair..I had serious bedhead and
matting after 2 days and earplugs. The hospital provided just about
everything I needed including a fan, which I requested on day one. I had a
roommate after the first night and she was abusive to the staff, constantly
yelling and crying. She was an elderly, dying woman and as much as I felt
sorry for her, it was very difficult to get much solid rest. Also, she had
an odor about her due to her illness that was absolutely horrible. I felt
so bad for her that I didn't push for a room change, I didn't want to hurt
her feelings. But a private room or one with a person who also had WLS
would have been so much better. Most of my stay consisted of napping,
watching TV, chatting with staff, flipping through magazines and
walking...I have to say, it went pretty fast.
— Donna L.
January 1, 2002
I never learned to pack light, so I took everything I could possibly think
of. What I actually used: my own pillows (hospital pillows are the worst
and it is also nice to have pillows to cushion your tummy for the ride
home) my own gowns (I hate hospital gowns and took enough to have a clean
gown daily), enough clean panties for daily changes, pads (yep ... Aunt Flo
came to visit the day after surgery; couldn't have inserted a tampon if my
life depended on it) robe, socks (my feet tend to get cold) slip-on
slippers, lip balm, hairbrush, shampoo/conditioner, shower gel, talcum
powder, lotion, cologne, tootbrush/toothpaste, telephone calling card,
tongs and baby wipes (for toilet hygiene these were a lifesaver) and a
comfortable stretchy knit pantsuit for the ride home. What I didn't use:
books, magazines, thank you notes (too "out of it" to read or
write), journal, day planner (didn't know what day it was, didn't care), a
take-home project from work (never touched it), and make-up. Most
hospitals will provide you with the basic toiletries, but I enjoyed having
my own things. If you want to pack light the most useful items were the
pillows, tongs/wipes, hairbrush and lip balm. Good luck!
— Lynn T.
January 1, 2002
You have had some great ideas here, one thing I would like to add...I liked
having my 'oil of olay' face wipes. I used them every day. They have a
nice smell and kept me feeling fresh. I used them on my neck, shoulders,
and arms as well as my face. I also took the cottonelle wipes and kept
them in the bathroom. And even though you are not expecting to start your
period, be prepared anyway.
— Cheri M.
January 2, 2002
I would suggest a robe that's comfortable, a small portable fan, some
rubber soled footwear that's safe, your own toothbrush, lotion, shampoos,
etc. The hospital provided me with little rubber soled booties to walk
around in, and all the toiletries (sp? LOL) but sometimes you just want
your own preferred things. As long as it's allowed, bring in your own
cd/radio with headphones. If bringing in reading materials, make sure
nothing too heavy, you don't want to strain yourself. I took in my own
moist wipes, you know me, just in case the hospital didn't supply them, but
they did anyways!
— Cheryl N.
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