Question:
What do I need to take to the hospital?
What will I need during the hospital stay & for the trip home? Special clothing or anything. — Paula G. (posted on November 27, 2002)
November 27, 2002
You'll only wear hosp gown while in but bring something loose fitting to go
home in. Dresses are best. I would take your bed pillow along to hold tight
to if you must cough or you have visitors like I did who were making me
laugh & it hurt so much to laugh. And some slippers & that's about
it. You will not feel like reading believe me. Best wishes to you.
— Karla K.
November 27, 2002
hi there :) you should maybe bring a nice comfy loose fitting pair of
sweats and shirt. i brought that and some lotion and toothpaste, also some
of my favorite doll collecting magazines to help get my mind off being in
the hospital.maybe some music would be nice too. best of luck to you with
everything! :)
— carrie M.
November 27, 2002
Hi, You might want to take your favorite soap, shampoo, and lotion. It
smells better than what they offer. Also, don't forget other personals
like deod.,toothpaste,toothbrush and comb or brush. You might want your
own robe for walking the halls. Good luck with your surgery!
— Tammy .
November 27, 2002
Besides what Tammy Goodman wrote, you might also want to take some
chapstick or something to moisturize your lips with because they will get
very dry. I don't use anything to moisten my lips, but I sure needed it in
the hospital.
— Betty Todd
November 27, 2002
Don't forget a little fan. Even though it's winter, the hospital will most
likely be overly warm in the rooms (not the OR, though!). And morphine
makes people sweat buckets. Mine was a lifesaver. I brought a little
battery operated fan and kept it going most of the time.
— [Deactivated Member]
November 27, 2002
A pre-paid phone card, or your calling card from your home phone. Calling
was a hassle and I had to call people collect.
— Scott L.
November 27, 2002
Hi, I packed a suitcase with everything that I use daily....and I didn't
use 1 thing in the hospital!! It was a waste. I had LAP RNY and I still
didn't feel like doing anything!! I had surgery at 10am and was in my room
by 1:30pm. The rest of the day is a haze. Morphine, ya know. All I wanted
was more ice chips. I could have cared less about no makeup, not doing my
hair. I walked the halls in my slippers and their hospital gown. (they are
huge) I did plug in my fan and use that. Believe me you don't care about
all the niceties while you're in there. They gave me clothes to wash with
the 2nd day and I brushed my teeth and came home. Save yourself some hassle
and don't take the whole maryann to the hospital. You won't need it!! Best
of luck to you for speedy recovery!
— Sharon B.
November 27, 2002
Ditto to the last poster. I took 2 books and never opened one. I took
toiletries and never used them. The hospital provided EVERYTHING,
including toothbrush and toothpaste, and they're about the only things I
used (had my own). Shampoo? Who wants to shower and wash hair after major
surgery? I hand washed whereever I could reach, combed my hair and did the
shower thing when I got home. The only things I really needed were my
slippers and robe. Never put on my own PJ's; asked the nurses for extra
pillows, didn't need a fan (my room was freezing)and couldn't wait to leave
the hospital. The most important thing you'll need in the hospital is a
good attitude! Good luck!
— Arlene S.
November 28, 2002
Let me tell you, besides the usual grooming items, I packed a large bag
with a couple books, my walk man and some cd's, my bible, a nightgown, robe
and slippers... and NEVER used most of it. I was too drugged to read.
Even my mom tried to read TO me, and I was so out of it. I never listened
to the cd's... even watching TV took a lot of effort for me. I recommend
that you restrict your packing to these items: Pillow (for the ride home
to hold your tummy), toothpaste and brush, soap, shampoo/conditioner,
hairbrush, something to pull your hair back with, slippers, underwear,
chapstick and lotion. However, the hospital I was in (BTC) provided a
great package full of lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb,
shampoo/conditioner, shower cap and even chapstick and a few other items.
They even provided a little pillow to hold my tummy which was great. I
wore the same clothes I came to the hospital in and that worked just fine.
Hope this helps!
— MichiganWLS
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