Question:
14 days Pre-Op What Should I Be Doing???

I feel like I am going nuts over here, and nothing is purchased or packed! Have no clue what to bring to the hospital or what to stock up on for home! It's like my brain froze and is now in pre-op shock or something. Somebody out there PLEASE HELP ME!!!! I don't even have an Angel yet Someone please HELP!    — Angel H. (posted on November 29, 2002)

November 29, 2002
someone posted a list of items to take to the hospital, but basicly it was loose clothes, dress -like (for the trip home) a pillow, with bright pillow case (to tell the difference in yours and theirs) slip on house shoes, robe, personal items, toothbrush, hair brush, etc. chapstick! (needed for various reasons) long handled tongs or what ever you plan on wiping your hiney with afterwards. radio or cd player to block noise (ear plugs?) to get sleep. for home you need to have some sort of liquids & soft things handy for afterwards, chewable vitamins, protien powder or liquids, tums, pepermint oil (for upset tummy's) you should be taking a good multi vitamen now, and start protien about a week before surgery, it does not store in the body long. other than all of this i can not remember anything else at the moment!! good luck!!!
   — janetc00

November 29, 2002
Prior poster covered it well. But don't do like I did. I went out and bought over $100.00 worth of all natural multi-vits, protein bars, drinks and powder, lots of sugar-free jello's and puddings, etc. Postop when I began this stuff, it was horrible. All natural chewable multi-vits were terrible and I stocked up with 3 large bottles of them cause there was a special running. All the protein supp's gagged me. Still cannot find a shake mix I like. After trying about 15 diff protein bars I am finally finding just a few that I can stand. They are not wonderful but I can do them. And even the sugar-free foods I couldnt stand, jello's and puddings. I just couldnt force myself to eat them. I threw all this stuff away and it took quite a awhile to find things I could stand to put in my mouth. I was so surprised how my taste changed. I now crave milk all the time, so I drink alot as a good protein source with added benefit of calcium. Preop I barely ever drank milk. So my advice is purchase small amts of everything for now.
   — Karla K.

November 29, 2002
I wouldn't go overboard buying things to have right after surgery, just a few things I think will suffice. I found that my hubby bought way too much stuff. It also depends on how long your doctor wants you to be on clear liquids post-op. My surgeon required 2 weeks. So if yours is similar I would just start out with 1 small box of Herb-ox individual sized packets of chicken broth or beef. 1 small box of caffeine free herbal tea ( I liked Mint Medley from Bigalow) Maybe a 6 pack of premade sugarfree jello cups. And perhaps 1 box of sugarfree jello popsicles. I think that should do it. As far as stuff to take to hospital. Again, I took more than I should have so here is my revised list of things that I actually used. Slippers, my own pillow, 1 set of loose fitting clothes for going home in, a couple of Maxi pads in case you start spotting (which I did), chapstick, tongs and flushable wipes(A DEFINATE NECESSITY), a clip-on fan that I clipped to my hospital bed), warm socks, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, my bamboo back scratcher and a hairbrush. I also took my make-up and some hairspray so I wouldn't look like I was dead on the way home but that is up to you. HA HA! You might want to bring a small bottle of your own shampoo unless you like what is provided by the hospital. Some of these may or may not pertain to you but I know they all really helped me and made my stay a little better. I hope that helps. GOOD LUCK! My prayers are with you for an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery!
   — Laurel C.

November 29, 2002
Just to throw in my 2cents...other than a loose fitting change of clothes - everything else is optional. The hospital will provide you with pads, toothbrush, a comb, etc upon request. You can even get an aid to swipe a magazine from the waiting room. Sure it's nice to have your own stuff, but the point I'm trying to get across is, this isn't <b>worth</b> panicking over. Take what occurs to you and send hubby for the rest as you think of it :>) Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 30, 2002
Eating......A lot !!! : ) Good Luck Peggy open rny 9/20 -58#'s
   — Peggy A.