Question:
What items should I definitly have on hand for when I come home from the hospital?

Would like some specific details on exactly what I will need to have at home for when I return from the hospital.    — Donna B. (posted on March 2, 2000)

March 2, 2000
Donna, first there are some food items that you should have on hand; cream of wheat, oatmeal, chicken broth, jello sugar free instant pudding, grape juice, cold flitered water, 1% milk, carnation instant breakfast no sugar added or other protein shake, sugar free popsicles, crystal light,sugar free jello, cream of chicken soup, sugar free hot cocoa, eggs, instant mashed potatoes. It would be a good idea to buy a "mini prep" by cuisinart(around $30 at bed bath and beyond) if you want pureed foods. A roomy silky nightgown (as to not irritate incision), electric blanket, some current magazines, spanish guitar cd's and scented candles made my recovery comfortable and happy. Best of luck for your surgery and near-future weight loss!...Jennifer in Indiana.
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 2, 2000
One item I did have at home after surgery that my mother actually thought of that turned out to be a God send was a body pillow. Getting comfortable the first week or so home is almost impossible. The body pillow really helped a lot.
   — dboat

March 2, 2000
I had to take my medicine crushed for a few weeks so it helped to have a pill crusher on hand (not a pill cutter although that might be something to consider). Also, I was very happy to use an old fashioned heating pad. For my aching back my sister rubbed on Icey Heat and I was surprised at what a great help that was.
   — Fran B.

March 2, 2000
Donna, one thing that came in real handy for me was a wedge. {a triangle shaped pillow cushion---my Dad got it in the hospital when he broke his ribs & his insurance paid for it, since it was purchased at the hosp.} It was nice to have in my bed----helped lying down and getting up a lot easier. Also....a small baby spoon helped me remember to take small bites of food, made me feel like I was eating more than I actually was! Hope this helps.. Good Luck ! Dani
   — Dani J.

March 2, 2000
Well Donna, for me it was chicken broth (Swanson's in a box, cuz it went further), sugarfree popsicles, sugar free juice. My physician also had me (all his patients) drinking a high protein beverage, but I could not tolerate it, so they had me mix 1 pkg instant breakfast with 1/2 cup powered non-fat milk and 1 cup low-fat milk which I mixed in a blender and had to drink several times a day. Interestingly enough, I truly craved the chicken broth---because of the salt I think. Everything else was so sweet I really needed some salt. Hope this helps. Email me if you want more info or just need someone to talk with. Best of luck, I know you will do great! Judy
   — Judy P.

March 2, 2000
I'm now ten days postop, and besides what everyone else has already suggested, I'd suggest the little pre-made cups of sugar free jello you can get at some supermarkets, and progresso soups -- beef barley run through the blender makes three meals -- and I bought a bunch of those little four - six ounce rubbermaid storage bowls. If you don't have a blender, I'd suggest getting one as the designer protein I drink is not tolerable unless I put it in the blender with skim milk and ice cubes. I'm allowed to have cottage cheese, and since I do get really sick of all the sweet-ish stuff we drink on a liquid diet, the cottage cheese is sooooo good (but not as good as the Progresso beef barley soup.) Also buy a case or two of bottled water in the kind of bottles that you can carry around with you wherever you go to keep you hydrated. That's all! Good luck!
   — Elizabeth M.

March 5, 2000
A blender or food processor would be good because you have to eat your foods in liquid form pretty much. Make sure you have all of the vitamin supplements on hand, you will need those. :)
   — Krista C.