Question:
what should i take to hosiupal the morning of surgery

hello everyone, i'm new to this website. so far ,so good. I will have gastric sleeve surgery on wed, april 14,2010. i wanted to ask how long the surgery and if there is anything i should take to the hospital with me..I will have the surgery at Florida medical center in ft lauderdale fl by Dr Fernando Beyron . have anyone had surgery there? this is a "center of excellence" hospital.    — kymmie12 (posted on April 11, 2010)

April 11, 2010
surgery is usually one to two and half hours. i took way more then i needed. the only things i used was chapstick(used once), slippers with good grip bottoms (alot easier to slip into then bending over to put the socks on they give you for walks), hard pillow for ride home to hold on belly, brush, cell w/ charger, magazine.i wish i had brought ear plugs or mp3 to drown out the noisy people and machines while trying to sleep. i didnt use pjs or robe cause the gowns were way more comfortable and you can wear another one backwards to hide your back end when walking. besides had a cathedar in the first day so any type of bottoms wouldnt have worked. i wore a loose jogging suit to the hospital and wore it home. anything else like soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc was provided at the hospital.
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 11, 2010
I took toothpaste etc because the hospital may not provide them and other personal care items. Loose clothes to wear home. I didn't read much and you can watch tv. They will have you up walking pretty quick and I slept when I could because they were so noisy even at night. Be prepared to be awakened at all hours especially if you are diabetic ,too. My best thing that I took was another person. Someone stayed with me at all times. This is a great help when you are throwing up, you can't get someone in fast enough to help you. Plus it was nice having someone to talk to and help you get around without having to call the nurse all the time. Some hospitals may not allow this. Also, after surgery you can ask for a suction tube (yonkaur) to keep saliva down and decrease nausea. I didn't get this until day 4. It was a great help. Most people get out sooner, though.
   — tandalyncarter

April 11, 2010
I didn't have any vomiting in the hospital (just when I got home and tried to take the pain meds) and not again until I tried eating solid food. I just didn't want you to think that everyone got sick ! As far as packing, I think the first post hit the nail on the head. I borught my Ipod, cell phone & charger, slippers and hairbrush and toothbrush. Other than that, I wore home what I wore there and slept pretty much the rest of the time. I"m just over 3 mos post op and feel GREAT. did tons of yard work this weekend which i've never had the energy to do before. Granted, the backs of my thighs are a bit sore, but it's a good sore ! I'm down 80.5 lbs and would do it again if I was in the same situation. Best of luck........... and congrats on making the decision to change your life ! You won't be sorry !
   — KQinNC

April 12, 2010
Although I am still waiting for surgery, the one thing I do take to the hospital with me is colored scrubs. You can buy them cheap at Wal-Mart. I prefer these to hospital gowns. I wear them at home on kick back days off. You can get out in the yard, etc. and no one knows you are still in your pj's.
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 12, 2010
As one person said pack very little. I don't think I even brushed my hair the day after surgery. I brought a word search book which I never touched. Basicly you will want to sleep and when you aren't sleeping you need to be up & walking! I wore sweats & a Tee to the hospital and then home again. Slippers or slip on shoes are a must for walking the halls. (BTW make sure you know your room number for the the return trip down the hall!) Lorraine
   — Lorraine_Z