Question:
What should I take with me to the hospital? Can you wear underwear? Nightgowns?
I know I need my robe and houseshoes, just wondering about other stuff. Thanks. — rentacar3 (posted on April 21, 2008)
April 21, 2008
Don't worry about that stuff. I had a nice little bag packed with a night
gown and robe, I was in the hospital from Wed. thru Fri and all I wore was
my hospital gown, when I needed to get up, I put another one on backwards
to serve as a robe. I couldn't wear my robe because of the IV tubes. I
packed magazines and a blanket I was making and all sorts of little goodies
to keep me entertained but for me, I was so tired after that I spent most
of my time sleeping. When I was awake, I either watched TV or walked. So
don't stress yourself out over what to take, I had a nice little list and
didn't use half the stuff I took with me. It goes by really fast. Hope
this helped a little. Good luck to you!!!!
— PAWLLA L.
April 21, 2008
Rona,
I agree with the previous post. I packed WAY too much and didn't end up
using anything but my toothbrush and hairbrush. Because of the IV tubings
and the need to walk around pushing them- I just wore the hospital gowns
and the non-skid socks they gave me as they were so comfortable.
Good luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
April 21, 2008
I was able to wear my robe based on where my IV was. I was in overnight.
I packed a pair of sweats loose fitting and a pair of socks & slip on
shoes. I also brought a sudoku magazine which I ended up actually working
on when I couldn't sleep.
— Danielle T.
April 21, 2008
I got a short robe, the kind that ties with a belt and wore it almost all
the time. I kept the arm with the IV out. Bring your cellphone if you
have one. The hospital will have treadsox for you. Don't worry about
houseshoes, because the scuff kind aren't good for walking if you're not
steady on your feet and you won't be able to bend right away to put on the
other kind. Good Luck!
— Shirley D.
April 21, 2008
be sure to take some chap stick
— Bette Drecktrah
April 21, 2008
I agree with the other posts. Take chapstick. I had my surgery on Friday
and I needed it!!! The only other thing I used were the hospital robes,
toothpaste, toothebrush, hairbrush, and lotion for my face and hands. I was
so tired I turned my cell phone on silent. Allow yourself to rest.
Renee (Ft. Polk, LA)
— Renee T.
April 21, 2008
House shoes and a robe for when you have to get up and walk. Once they
remove the IV stuff on the 2nd you can then put your own pajamas on. I
also was very tired after the surgery so as far as reading, watching movies
etc. you probably won't feel like doing that. By the time you do you will
be going home.
— redlilies
April 21, 2008
Here is a list that I was given...
NON-FOOD ITEMS:
pill crusher (which I never used, you might if you're
on any prescriptions that will continue after surgery)
pill/vitamin keeper
blistex (to put on before eating the blue dye 'snow
cone')
vitamin B-12 sublingual
4x4 gauze pads
tape for sensitive skin
Liquid tylenol
children's chewable vitamins with iron
chewable pepcid
HOSPITAL STAY:
insurance card
proof of ID
urine speciman (if they've told you to bring it, it is
to test for pregnancy before surgery)
eyeglasses case (to keep glasses safe during surgery)
Book (only if you're a reader...I enjoyed cable TV
instead, lol)
Blistex
pillow-no white pillowcase (so you don't confuse with
hospital's pillow)
phone numbers and phone card for long distance calling
notebook and pen
hand lotion
comb or brush
playing cards
calling cards (name, address, phone, email) - to
exchange with other WLS patients you may meet
facial cleanser
makeup
deodorant
toothbrush and toothpaste
small shampoo/conditioner
small fan (if you're hot natured)
eye glasses & cleaning supplies
pads and/or pantyliners - even if you don't
menstruate, you may following surgery
underwear/socks
something loose and comfy to wear home
— Karen M.
April 21, 2008
Please do not forget the GAS X they dissolve in your mouth. You will need
them I promise and do a lot of walking if you can. Good luck. Joyce
— fayfay35
April 22, 2008
I will tell you what worked for me: a magazine. my iPod. a word search
w/pen. a hair brush. my own tooth brush and paste. deodorant and some
pretty smelling splash (bath and body works). Oh..and baby powder. Undies,
for sure. a light bathrobe. a pair or two of socks and my tennis shoes. i
walked a ton and got shin splints after a few days, I would suggest wearing
your tennis shoes while walking. good luck!
— jammerz
April 22, 2008
This is a great question and I had a similar one when I went into the
hospital. I believe that everyone packs too much! The hospital provides
just about everything you'll need. Make sure that you have loose fitting
clothing to wear home, that's probably the most important thing. Then,
when I was in the hospital I was soooo hot and wanted a fan. I was told
over and over that there was not one available and when my blood pressure
shot up on my third day one of the nurses stole one from the nurses
station. So this might be something that you should plan to have...maybe
have whomever is waiting for you to come out of surgery have it in their
car and they can bring it in when you get to your room after recovery. I
felt so much better after I got the fan and my pain meds that I fell asleep
almost instantly and had my best night there. Good luck to you.
— deebunny38
April 22, 2008
I just came back form surgery! I have to addmit I overpackect my self! All
I used was the gowns from the hospital, and brought with me from home a
toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, slippers, chapstick, baby wipes, and my
handy dandy cell phone! Because you don't really need anything else. All
you do is sleep, watch TV, and Walk Walk Walk! There is no time for
anything else. Before you know it you will be discharge! About the
underware! You can't not have underware on during surgery but when you get
back to your room you can! I used them everyday I was there! Good Luck!!
— Rosa R.
April 23, 2008
Hi there,
I had my surgery on 2/26/08. Check with your dr and see if they provide
you with a cough bear. If they don't I would take a stuffed animal or a
pillow to hold against your stomach when you cough. Other than that, the
other posts are right on. You will be tired and walking so much that
reading is difficult but can be done if you love to read. I watched tv in
between naps and walking.
Good luck,
Mauri
— afirewife
April 25, 2008
I asked the hospital for disposable underwear. The nurse said that if they
needed to, they would cut them off during surgery, but they were still on
when I woke up. Bring some loose shorts or pants to wear under your
hospital gown if you don't want to wear a robe when walking, etc.
— cwill
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