QUESTION:

"I'm having surgery soon, what will I need for my hospital stay or for shortly after???"

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Okay, ladies and gentlemen, this question comes up here so much - I felt it would be a great idea to start up an official thread. My plan is once I think the list is great enough, I'm going to create a checklist for all the folks out there that will be sleeved shortly and have the above question. Then if you are around long enough and as much as I am, and someone has that question you can just lead them to this thread. Fair enough?

Sometimes it's just nice to have everything all in the same place, kinda following the WalMart rule of thumb. They are very successful, aren't they?

Anyway, please start with your suggestions and I'll get my MSWord fired up. I'll also start with the first suggestion:

Comfy Pajamas, underclothes, and slippers or warm cozy socks...

Hospital Stay Checklist.doc

I am not sure if anyone mentioned Biotene to keep your mouth moist or not but Biotene is my suggestion. I read that on another thread and went right out and got myself some. :-)

Love this post. Keep the suggestions coming please!

Catheder bag? Ugh they really make you have one?

This sounds worse than the surgery, doesn't it?!

Wow! This is a great list! Thanks!

Just ordered what my hubby skeptically referred to as my "medicinal moose" from http://teddy-tech.com/ a bargain for the so-called Bari buddy bear hope it helps with the coughing pain, in any case I just got another snuggle buddy for bedtime

I am taking an and binder and if the doc ok's it I will wear it.

Great thread, all! Thanks so much for all of the great info!

Great thread! I'm getting sleeved on Thursday, the 9th, and have been contemplating what to take.

I took and used:-

Pjs

Slippers

Book

Glasses for reading

Phone and charger

Cottonwool and cleanser

Night cream

Toothpaste and toothbrush

Deodorant

Robe

Body pillow

Triangle pillow

Baby wipes

Vaseline for my lips

hair brush

Socks

I know there isn’t enough pillows nor can you get enough to put on your sides for support while you sleep learnt that from the gall bladder op so I brought my own so all I did was slight movements adjust the bed a bit and I was comfy.

Thing I didn’t bring that my sister had to bring me was a fan!

So hot in there I asked for one and they said sorry we don’t have any so one was brought in for me to keep me cool.

Things I took and didn’t need:-

Cpap machine (told me to hold off using it for as long as possible)

Laptop (couldn’t logon couldn’t get the dongal to register when my sis bought me one)

Shampoo

Conditioner

Body wash (wasn’t allowed to shower but was offered a bed bath lol used baby wipes!)

Thank you all for the tips. :wub: Going to go today to stock up. Surgery is on the 21st scared

My surgery is the 12th of this month and I do appreciate the list.. found a few things I hadn't thought of... I am going in a sundress and flip flops... so no worries there... I have Kindle/Nook software on my phone and a headset so between some good books and Vivaldi's Four Seasons.. I might get some rest LOL

OMG DIVA! Thank you so very very much! I am going shopping tomorrow and I will have your list with me! Thank you! I do have a post op question, should I get a food scale?

THANK YOU!!!!

Hello everyone, this is my first visit to the site. I already feel better just reading all the pre op suggestions. My nerves are better and I know this sounds weird but I always felt embarrassed talking about it with everyone but not you guys!

Great tips! Thank you!!

This is worth repeating... I had read preop about a heating pad. I didn't take mine because I had read the hospital has them. So I did ask for one in the hospital but it took a little bit because the nurse had to put in an order for it. But let me tell you, it should be standard for everyone!! I used it most of the 3 days and it made me sooo much more comfortable!! Then any time at home when I felt uncomfortable, only a few days, I used it and it just made me feel better. I highly recommend the heating pad as a staple for at least the first week of recovery!! It saved me!!!