Question:
What was the most important thing you took into the hospital?
Good morning everyone! I am 18 short days from my "birthday", and I am trying to figure out what all I should take. Now, after countless hours of researching in the library, I have seen a whole plethora of ideas on things to bring. My question to you all is, what was the single most important thing you took? You know, the thing you got a lot of use out of. I don't want to overpack, but I don't want to forget something I might need while I am in there. I am getting an open RNY, distal. Any suggestions on what I should take would be very appreciated. Thank you very much for reading this, and have a great day, everyone! *<|:0) — Lisa S. (posted on July 21, 2003)
July 20, 2003
Thanks for asking this question. I too am having the open RNY Distal and
was wondering what that one really important thing would be. I'll be
anxiously awaiting the answers too.
— Kamy
July 21, 2003
Hi there!! I had my RNY open June 26th. All I took with me where the
basics. My tooth brush got more use than anything, along with chapstick.
Other than that, I took a small trial size body wash/shampoo and that was
all I really used. I did not carry reading material or anything like
that, cause the time I wasnt up walking I was sleeping!!
As far as clothes, I took extra undies and I went to Wal Mart and bought
one of those tops with the built in support so I would'nt have to worry
about wearing a bra home. I ended up just wearing the same clothes I went
in with just with no bra (it rubbed my scar). I packed very light. I was
glad I did, cause I really did'nt need A LOT! GOOD LUCK!! 3 weeks Post Op
-31 lbs.
— Jackie T.
July 21, 2003
The most important thing that I took was beeswax for my lips. You get very
dry lips and cotton-mouth from not having anything to drink for several
days. The oxygen also dries you out too. I also brought my own blanket
because the hospital blankets were too thin for me and I would of froze.
Good Luck!!
— jenniemminor
July 21, 2003
Lisa,
Well I actually have 2 things that were most important, One would be the
Playtext portable wipes for femine cleaning, I had open done on 5-24-02,
and that first day after surgery man, I couldn't bend my arm far enough
down to clean properly, to remain "Fresh", I brought the wipe
and had my husband treat me like a baby ! (Cute)
The other thing I could not have lived without was a fan, I bought a little
cheap $10 fan and brought it into the room, for some reason, I was burning
up one minute and freezing the next, the AC in the room, was down as low as
it could go..... Thoes are the only 2 I couldn't have done without ! .
Best of luck to you ! Many Hugs !
— tannedtigress
July 21, 2003
I am going to be a smart A$$ and say the most important thing I took to the
hospital was "Me"! However, I would say the lip balm was the
most necessary thing I took. I had surgery in late October and my room was
very comfortable - didn't need a fan! Next important was my own easy-on
slippers (with non-skid soles) so I could walk, walk, walk! (Didn't have to
bend down to get them on.)
— koogy
July 21, 2003
I would have to say either chapstick or 3X V-neck t-shirts. I didn't
actually bring the t-shirts (my mom went out and bought them my first
post-op day). I found the binder very irritating and the t-shirts really
helped. Best wishes on your upcoming surgery! - Janine
— jmusser
July 21, 2003
Since my WLS (2/02) I have had four trips to the hospital and two to a
nursing home, and I found the only two things I really needed were my phone
credit card and my daughters' phone numbers. (At home I dial "1"
or "2" or "3" so I don't have them memorized.) They
provided everything else, and more. Nina in Maine
— [Deactivated Member]
July 21, 2003
A wooden spoon!! I wraped toilet paper around it to wipe. I was open rny
6/23/03
— luckyflowers
July 21, 2003
My mom!!!
— Sarahlicious
July 21, 2003
The most important thing I took was a very loose, flowy housedress w/
button front to come home in. I'd never have been able to get into the
t-shirt and shorts I wore into the hospital.
— Margaret G.
July 21, 2003
One of the most important things I did not take was a really good book, by
day three, I was going mad with boredom. I also wish that I had one of
those things for grabing things from a distance, but most importantly,
bring any loose fitting dress to wear home. I'm post op 12 days and I'm
still wearing dresses daily any thing else irritates my incision.
— Rosa F.
July 21, 2003
The very best thing to take to the hospital is a GOOD ATTITUDE
and a SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— RODEO CLOWNS S.
July 21, 2003
A good support person (in my case this was my hubby), someone to fetch you
ice when you just don't feel like it, to encourage you to GET UP and WALK,
someone to rub what hurts and scratch what itches, someone to listen to you
whine :>)
— [Deactivated Member]
July 21, 2003
Chapstick for the lips, a magazine or book (though I didn't look at it
much-slept mostly) and a small personal fan. Hospitals are hot and the fan
blowing on my face all night was very comforting.
— Cindy R.
July 21, 2003
Chapstick
— Amber L.
July 21, 2003
Lip balm, personal fan, and a pair of sweat shorts to put under my hospital
gown so I wasn't naked. I packed a lot of other stuff, but those three
things were all I needed.
— Cosmo K.
July 21, 2003
Hi Lisa... Well aside from a good attitude & a great supporting
hubby... I would have to say that it was my little pillow (to help me
cough) and my little phone book. *_* 4mos post op -90lbs!
— Dayanara A.
July 21, 2003
Hi Lisa: Without a doubt, that answer would be "my husband". I
would say if you have a significant other or supporting family member, take
him/her along. Most hospitals are great with allowing someone to stay with
you. He kept me from getting bored, lotioned my feet (yeah, well...that
lasted all of 2 days), and was my "advocate" whenever I needed
something from the nursing staff....best wishes on your upcoming birthday!
— Amy A.
July 21, 2003
I used absolutely nothing that I brought with the exception of my 2
life-savers and one luxury. The two life savers were chapstick (get a
flavor that won't drive you crazy if you taste/smell it all day) and a robe
that fit (i.e. I could actually close it.) The robe wasn't easy to find-
but I shopped till I did. The robe made me confortable in the halls and
also at home when I had company and didn't fully dress. My little luxury
was a good moisturizer for the body. I picked my favorite that smelled
great and moisturized my hands and arms, my hubby did legs and feet for me.
This felt so good and really helped with my morphine 'itchyness' (a common
side effect)! Good luck to you.
— LMCLILLY
July 21, 2003
A fan and baby wipes.
— sweetmana
July 21, 2003
These are goiod cause I am having mine tomorrow at 7:30 am! I am ready to
start packing now that I know what to take! Thanks!
— Beverly S.
July 21, 2003
Definitely the playtex feminine wipes and hot-dog tongs (some use a wooden
spoon) for personal hygiene. I also needed my phone card as calling home
was long distance. Best of luck with your surgery!
— adeas
July 21, 2003
Toothbrush and paste
Shampoo--I RAN to the shower when my drains and IV's came out
Slippers without backs and a button front short sleeved robe
My own night shirts
Good luck!!!
— Fixnmyself
July 21, 2003
my husband! good luck & god bless u!
— sheryl titone
July 22, 2003
I'm sure you'll get a ton of answers to this one! My advice is to ignore a
lot of it and not to overpack, LOL.
I used practically none of the stuff I packed. The hospital gowns were
actually quite comfy and big, and I used a second gown as a robe, so I
really didn't need my own clothes. I brought magazines and books but found
it hard to focus long enough to actually read them - I would fall asleep
every time! And the hospital provided pretty much everything else I
needed, from slippers and socks to personal hygiene products. I'd bring my
own toothpaste, brush, deodorant, feminine protection just in case, and a
hairbrush. You might want to bring a travel size shampoo and conditioner,
but honestly I don't think you'll care THAT much what your hair looks like!
And it all ends up a big rats nest anyway from lying in bed so much.
— sandsonik
July 27, 2003
I agree with Sandra....don't overpack! The two things I'd definitely
recommend are a pair of slip-on type slippers (the kind you won't have to
bend over and pull up over your heel) and your own pillow. There's nothing
like having your own pillow for comfort, and you're going to be
uncomfortable enough as it is -- hospitals use those pillows that can be
cleaned between use and tend to be crispy-crunchy and not for a good nights
sleep -- or even a nap! Good luck!
— Lynette B.
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