Question:
What Will I need during the hospital stay?

I am having my lap RNY on April 26th and want to prepare for my hospital stay. I do have some things packed & ready but I always looking to hear from expiranced ones. Does anyone have a list?    — L S. (posted on March 30, 2002)

March 29, 2002
L.S. - I suggest you check out Brenda Singer's profile (go to Find Peers and put in her name). Brenda has a WEALTH of information for us pre-ops, including what to take to the hospital. I have her profile saved on Favorites because I refer to it often. Good Luck - Anna p.s. Thanks, Brenda :)
   — Anna L.

March 29, 2002
Hello L.S. What a great question. I just had lap RNY on January 14th and realized I needed much less than I thought when I was at the hospital. If you are interested, I created a list of necessities, along with a detailed account of my hospital stay on my website that may help you decide what you will need. My site is at www.geocities.com/jaxsites/christie Good luck! Don't be too afraid, I was amazed at how little pain there was associated with lap. You will be in my thoughts!
   — Christie S.

March 30, 2002
Hello! I am 17 days post-op and like so many others, I brought way too much to the hospital! My poor Mom had to carry that big bag around, and honestly, I didn't even unzip the main part of the bag! The bare necessities you will need (in my opinion) are: chapstick, a brush, slippers or slipper socks, robe, and some tongs. Seriously, I wish I would have brought tongs with me to the hospital. Wiping is difficult because your abdomen is swollen and sore. I had to drip-dry (gross, I know!) because I just couldn't reach! I brought my personal CD player and never used it, I brought a book and never opened it, I even brought my make-up and never once thought about putting any on! You will mostly be sleeping, trust me! Nurses will be waking you up many, many times to take your vitals, so focus on sleep! Good Luck to you!!!
   — LaRayne H.

March 30, 2002
Here is the link to Brenda Singers profile. It is very informative. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=S999834870
   — Julie D.

March 30, 2002
I'm 25 days post op - I took a robe, a nightgown (I really was grateful I had it - made me feel a little more like me and less like a patient), slippers, toothbrush/paste, comb/brush. The hospital provided a lot of the basic toiletries. You will be surprised how much you sleep. I took a couple books with me, but had to completely reread the only one I read because I couldn't remember reading most of it! LOL (Thank you morphine!) I also took a really loose pants outfit that was comfy to sleep in. Again, it made me feel more normal. I too took makeup and never even considered bothering with it. I also took a clock so I didn't have to wonder what time it was. Good luck to you and hope you have a speedy recovery! 25 days later and I feel wonderful!
   — Katy B.

March 30, 2002
CHAPSTICK!!!!! I couldn't have survived without it! That, my tooth brush (my mouth tasted GROSS, must have brushed 6 times a day!!) and slippers. Those were really the only things I needed- I didn't use any magazines, my CD player, my clothes... One other hint: If you have med-long hair, braid it in side-pigtail braids with elastics with NO metal on them (metal isn't allowed in the OR)- this way you don't end up with a rats nest that you don't feel like dealing with. Good Luck!! :)
   — Angela B.

April 2, 2002
The most important thing to bring is someone to stay with you the whole time!
   — Kathy J.