Question:
What should I pack? What did you wish you brought?

I know this sounds trivial but I like to know that I'm prepared. I've heard that I should eat more protein, drink less soda, take vitamins, deep breathing, exercise, etc. My question has to do with what to bring. What were you glad you brought? What were you laying there wishing you had done? Also, were there any things that you did to handle your business? I've considered writing a letter to my son and other loved ones, just in case. Any hints on this?    — Christi F. (posted on July 31, 2000)

July 30, 2000
Hi Christi, I am having my WLS on 8/25/00. I understand your question about writing letters and I have done that before when having other surgeries and I can tell you that it is very hard to do and it made me cry alot. It has since become my experinence that I would probably not do that again however I would tell all that I were close to how you felt about them and that no matter what happens you are doing this to save own life and that even if the worst were to happen (and It is very unlikely that it will) that you understand the risk and you are going in fighting and that you want them to be happy for you. Long before I ever considered this WLS I requested in my will that the song "THE DANCE" from Garth Brooks be played at my funeral when I go, the song says No matter how much pain was involved if I did not go through the pain I would have missed the dance "the dance being all the good things in life". All of our lives we take risk that reward us with great things. This surgery is no different. We know going in that we will have some physical pain and that we are giving up foods that we once loved and we are commiting to being compliant with the direction of our surgeon but in REWARD for these sacrafices we get a NEW LIFE and all that comes with that. As far as what to bring to the hospital I am for sure taking my laptop computer and legal pads and pens to make notes and such. I have not heard what to bring as far as clothes go. I am bringing my shampoo, and body wash soap and I thought some wet wipes might be handy too. Sorry I went on and on but I just got on a roll and kept on typing. Remember one thing and This is so true "I can do all things through CHRIST who strenghtens me" Philippians 4:13 Best Wishes Wes
   — dtpgoose

July 31, 2000
Hi, I needed nothing but my toiletries. I wish I had brought a notebook and pen with me, however, to keep on my bedside table. My nutritionist or surgeon would come by and make suggestions - and then, due to after effects of anaesthesia, surgery, or the morphine pump - I would promptly forget what they had said. Also, I wish that I had kept a list of the names of both wonderful and horrible hospital staff so that I could have written commending/condemning letters to the hospital administration and to my surgeon. I made sure my will, medical proxies, and living will were up to date. I was scared to death and when I woke up in the recovery room was enourmously grateful. Good luck. Join us in our great adventure. Cecilia - 2 weeks post-op today.
   — Cecilia M.

July 31, 2000
Hi Christi, I took more than I needed or used, but I think that's probably true of all of us. I thought about a lap-top and I did take a book and some recent magazines...all of which were bad ideas (at least for me). I never opened the book/magazines and given the state that I was in (thanks to great pain management), I probably wouldn't have been able to see the keyboard of a lap-top. I did take a compact CD player with earphones, and that was truly wonderful. I took my favorite CDs and was on "cruise control" with Demerol and great music...it helped "drown out" overhead paging and other people talking in the room, and it let me get the best effect from the pain medication. Personal toiletries are important, because what the hospital provides is never quite as nice as your own...a blow-dryer and curling iron, unless you don't mind looking like Medusa as you're leaving the hospital...slippers and a robe for those mandatory walks down the hall that surgeons seem to insist on...comfortable, loose clothes to wear home...and if you're having a car-ride home, have a pillow in the car to hold against your tummy as you go over those bumps and through those potholes. That can really be a life-saver! You'll sleep through most of the experience, especially the first day or two...and that's the best medicine you'll receive. General anesthesia and pain medications also produce a blessed amnesia, so that after a few days, everything will seem like a blur. Pack light and sleep...that's my best advice. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

July 31, 2000
Christi, one more thought: as a nurse, I cannot tell you how important it is that everyone have a living will and health-care power-of-attorney in place. If you have not already taken care of these things, the hospital can provide a social worker or discharge planner to help you with those things. You just need to tell the Admissions Office that you would like to have someone help you with that. It is a federal requirement that the hospital ask you if you have those things in place, and they must be prepared to assist you with them if needed. Ideally, those items would be in place beforehand, with copies available for the hospital to place on your chart. Living wills let your family, surgeon, and the hospital know what your wishes are in the event of complications or death. The HCPOA designates the person that you trust most to carry out those decisions. In our local hospital, these forms are on each unit, and there is no financial charge for the hospital's assistance in completing them for you. Take the time to have open, honest communication with your family; let them know what your wishes and expectations are because this is one of the greatest gifts that you can give them. Then, have faith in your surgeon and the extremely high success rate for this procedure, and look ahead to a wonderful and exciting, new life.
   — Diana T.