Question:
Things not to forget ?
Hi All, I am pre-op, my surgery date is Sept.16. I am trying to get all thoughts together as well as things not to forget to take and have done and ready when I get home from hospital. My hospital is 1 1/2 hrs. away so I don't want to forget anything. Any ideas or items you wished you had with you? Also one more question regarding drinks, I hear from many who love to drink s/f kool aid afterwards, are you talking about the little packets (that make 2 quarts)that you use to add sugar to and now add splenda? How much splenda do you add to make the 2 qt. pitcher? Just one more thing...... Everyone on this site is soooo helpful and full of information, I have pretty much given up on 'surfing the web', who needs it when you have all the 'best of friends' right here !!! You all are GREAT !!! Hugzzzz always, Thanks and will be updating from the looser's side soon !!! ~Robin~ — Robin G. (posted on September 7, 2003)
September 7, 2003
Robin - I really didn't need anything except a pair of tongs to reach
places you can't in the bathroom. Make sure you put them in the bathroom
and becasue they don't do you any good in your suitcase (I know this from
experience.0 I only know about St. Vincent's in Cleveland but they
provided everything else I needed. I bought a new robe so I could walk the
halls but I just wore my hospital gown - it had a special pocket for my
drian and they were very large for bariatric patients.
— Gail L.
September 7, 2003
Hi Robin, first of all congrats on your upcoming surgery! You'll soon be on
the losing side! What I took with me to the hospital was, a robe and
slippers cuz I got up and walked the halls after surgery so that might come
in handy for ya! Also you might want to take some chapstick cuz your lips
will get very dry afterwards and that comes in handy, and if it is at all
hot in your room, like mine was try to remember to take a small handheld
battery operated fan with ya, one thing I forgot and it got pretty hot in
there! Then just some extra commfy clothes to go home in and you should be
set! As for the koolaid thing, when I drink it, I add splenda to mine and
use about a cup to a cup and a half to a pitcher, also I like drinking the
flavored sugar free water they sell in the grocery stores. the ones I like
the best are the propel ones the make from gatorade and the fruit2o ones,
them 2 are really good ones and come in many diff flavors! Good Luck to
You, and our prayers are with ya!
— Melodee S.
September 7, 2003
Hello. I am now 4 days post op. I just got out of the hospital yesterday. I
made lists of things to take and things to have at home. I would recommend
getting all the things you need to have for about a week after surgery. I
have mostly been having Propel, SF popsicles, sf jello, boost protein drink
and carnation instant breakfast. As for the things to take to the hospital,
I took everything I could possibly need and only used my slippers for
walking and my toothbrush. Good Luck!! : )
— AmyWollet
September 7, 2003
Hey Robin,
Congrats! I bet you are just buzzing inside with nervousness and
excitement. I know I was. Anyway, I have to agree with the other posts.
I definately needed tongs and the fan. I had one of those clip on plug in
fans that I clipped to one of the side rails of my hospital bed. It was the
envy of my roommate. I also had the tongs and some of those wonderful
flushable baby wipes. Also the envy of my roommate. One thing I had wished
that I had was a few pairs of loose underwear and some of my own maxi pads,
because I had a some spotting episodes in the hospital which I hear isn't
uncommon. Let me tell you, you will much rather bring your own pads
instead of having those old fashioned ones the hospital will provide. The
few other things that are definately things you will use are the slippers,
and chapstick. I brought everything but the kitchen sink and didn't need
half of it. As far as the robe went, I brought mine but couldn't wear it
(due to the IV in my arm) and the hospital gown covered me enough anyway.
I also took my makeup and curling iron and stuff, although I didn't really
need it. It was nice to walk out of that hospital looking like a million
bucks, even though I felt like crap. HA HA! Anyhoo I hope that helps! My
prayers are with you! See ya on the other side! :)
— Laurel C.
September 7, 2003
Dear Robin, you've already gotten great advice. Keep it simple. I never
used my robe becasue the bariatric gowns covered me great,I took make-up
and only used it once, but the one thing was a god send, was a battery
operated CD player with ear speakers. I only used it twice, but when the
hustle and bustle of the hospital bothered me and I was restless becasue I
was off the morphine, my favorite music was a wonderful aid to napping and
shuting out unwanted noise.
— sissie S.
September 7, 2003
The one thing that was invaluable to me, that I don't recall having seen
posted was waterless shampoo. I have extremely oily hair that has to be
washed every day, or else you could fry chicken in it. My hairdresser
suggested waterless shampoo (available at most hair/beauty stores). It is a
liquid that you just rub in your hair (since i wasn't able to shower until
the 3rd day) and let air dry or blow dry. The morning following my surgery
that was the first thing I did, and boy did I feel better instantly.In
addition, the only other things that I really used were my robe and
slippers and my own underwear and gown. Just getting into my own gown and
out of that hospital "thing" made me feel better as well. You
will need the robe and slippers since they require you to walk the halls
immediately after surgery.I also took my "essentials" bag with
deo, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush and dryer, makeup (that I didn't
use)and face cleanser. Also, DO NOT FORGET YOUR CHAPSTICK! The chapstick
and waterless shampoo I simply could not have done without. Another
suggestion for the extremely dry mouth that you have coming out of surgery
(since you can't drink) - My husband would get me a cold, wet washcloth and
I would put it in my mouth and bite down on it. This worked better for the
dry mouth than anything. Didn't look real great, but worked wonders!
— Denise B.
September 7, 2003
The one thing that was invaluable to me, that I don't recall having seen
posted was waterless shampoo. I have extremely oily hair that has to be
washed every day, or else you could fry chicken in it. My hairdresser
suggested waterless shampoo (available at most hair/beauty stores). It is a
liquid that you just rub in your hair (since i wasn't able to shower until
the 3rd day) and let air dry or blow dry. The morning following my surgery
that was the first thing I did, and boy did I feel better instantly.In
addition, the only other things that I really used were my robe and
slippers and my own underwear and gown. Just getting into my own gown and
out of that hospital "thing" made me feel better as well. You
will need the robe and slippers since they require you to walk the halls
immediately after surgery.I also took my "essentials" bag with
deo, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush and dryer, makeup (that I didn't
use)and face cleanser. Also, DO NOT FORGET YOUR CHAPSTICK! The chapstick
and waterless shampoo I simply could not have done without. Another
suggestion for the extremely dry mouth that you have coming out of surgery
(since you can't drink) - My husband would get me a cold, wet washcloth and
I would put it in my mouth and bite down on it. This worked better for the
dry mouth than anything. Didn't look real great, but worked wonders!
— Denise B.
September 8, 2003
I'm still pre-op, but definately take a camera with you. I plan on taking
pictures and documenting my journey. Good luck to you!
— Kimberly S.
September 8, 2003
Robin - congrats & good luck on your upcoming surgery! I'm a pre-op too
- my surgery is in a month and where I'm having it is 2 hrs. away - but
I've been keeping a list of everything other post-ops have listed to take
to the hospital or have ready when you get home. Here are some additional
things that I haven't seen anyone mention: For the hospital: Bring a nice
fluffy pillow to clutch onto while coughing, traveling in the wheelchair
& car ride home (the ones at the hosp. are usually like pancakes!); ask
your doctor before your surgery date for your pain meds prescription and
other prescription and have it filled before your surgery so you don't have
to stop on the way home; phone/contact list to call any family/friends to
update them on your progress - if you don't feel like calling (b/c of being
groggy from the morphine) then have someone that is coming with you for
your surgery call these people; some people have mentioned wearing a
surgical binder - see if your hospital supplies one or if you should buy
one - i guess it helps with the pressure on your long incision (if you're
having an open procedure); maxi pads in case of spotting. For after
surgery/when you get home: night gowns/sweats/comfy clothes that are
gathered in one place for easy access; bottle water or sf kool-aid (which
come in a box of 3 packets - no need to add splenda - I drink this now -
may have to water it down after surgery since many think it's too sweet
post-op); fresh sheets/pillow/blankets next to a recliner/where you'll be
resting along with the following supplies on a nearby table: phone,
tissues, trash bag, magazines, videos/tapes to watch); phone contact list
(don't forget hospital & doctor's too!); wound care items (gauze, tape,
antibiotic ointment & eventually scar ointment); vitamins; protein
drinks/bars. Excellent question - Hope this helps!
— Lisa B.
September 10, 2003
I slept most of the time, so didn't need much. But I did find my CD player
a helpful distraction. You might want some pre-moistened wipes for your
bottom when you get home.
— Kathy S.
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