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

When do u bring this stuff with you? I mean, u will be on the table, and then recovery if nothing goes wrong. does your family bring it? how does this work??

Well, I had no family where I live so my friend took me to the hospital at 5 a.m. (which was an hour away). The hospital met us at the driveway entrance w/ a wheelchair for me, they took my duffle bag and they took it into the surgery prep area with me where I changed from clothes to gown. When they realized I was alone, they took it with us and put it down below under the hospital bed on a little shelf and when I woke up it was right there on a little table next to my bed. Just write down or remember the name of the person you last gave it to just in case. I also did not take my tablet or cell phone, too worried it would get stolen. A friend of mine who also had this surgery left her real cell phone at home and for the surgery bought a throw away Trac phone and one month's service, entering in the contacts area only the most important phone numbers for people she wanted to call once she woke up. Hope this helps and good luck

Thank you for this post! I'm having surgery in the morning and there are some things on this list I never thought about. A big help!

Hope all goes well, you are in our prayers, you'll do great.

I am having my surgery in 2 days! This thread is sooo helpful!! Many thanks!!

I am scheduled for September 3rd. Thanks for starting this topic and I appreciate all the posted lists for pre & post surgery.

I'm just bringing the wife.........and she can get me whatever I need........ I call her the Pit Bull........if anyone gives me a hard time or drags their feet, I turn her loose on them.

My husband calls me his pitbull too! Yup, I'm his alpha. lmbo.

If you go on ebay or amzon and searh for childrens silverware, or childerens silverware sets you can find a little more grown up verson of the toddler utensils. They are usually stainless steel and come with a fork, spoon, and knife. I found some from Oneida that actually match my 'adult' silverware, and its usually less than ten or twelve dollars for the set. I found them tonight and thought I would share. I just bought a set for my mother and me. We are both getting sleeved in september (hopefully)! Sorry I don't know how to link you to it!

If you go on ebay or amzon and searh for childrens silverware' date=' or childerens silverware sets you can find a little more grown up verson of the toddler utensils. They are usually stainless steel and come with a fork, spoon, and knife. I found some from Oneida that actually match my 'adult' silverware, and its usually less than ten or twelve dollars for the set. I found them tonight and thought I would share. I just bought a set for my mother and me. We are both getting sleeved in september (hopefully)! Sorry I don't know how to link you to it![/quote']

I saw them online also, ordering them soon..thx for posting because i had forgotting about them....:-)

I had my surgery on 7/30/13. BEFORE surgery I did:

1. Mani/Pedi

2. Haircut

3. laundry

4. filled car with gas

5. paid some bills

6. some cleaning & straightening up the house

7. Rechecked my food shopping list and got anything I missed

I had a really bad reaction to the pain meds & the anti-vomit meds which landed me an extra day in the hospital. I didn't bother setting up the TV due to me sleeping A LOT to rid my body of what was making me ill.

What I brought to the hospital:

1. I wore home the outfit I wore to the hospital ( it was an over-sized shirt, very roomy capri & flip-flops so

(I didn't have to bend over)

2. Toothbrush & travel size toothpaste

3. Phone & charger

4. ID & insurance card

5. Magazines - that I didnt even open!

I agree everyone's stay is different. I wasn't allowed to get a shower due to the IV & drain in my side so all the extra soaps extra was pointless.

I have had many surgeries over the years and the one thing I try never to forget when going into the hospital is........Nail Clippers. There is nothing worse than a broken nail or a hang nail snagging the blankets for a few days.

I have seen a lot of people post about bringing a robe. If you are wanting to travel light, you can just ask for another hospital gown. Put it on backwards, like you would a button up shirt. It is lightweight, offers coverage when up walking, it has open sides for IVs and tubes, and you dont have to haul it to and from the hospital. I know some people feel more comfortable with a warm comfy robe from home though. Just a thought.

my two life savers was a squishy pillow with the little foam beads-I used it to prop up my side so I could rest better because I'm a side sleeper and also I payed it on my stomach and seat belted over that on the plane #2- baby gas drops it releases the gas right away and you don't have to chew it

I have seen a lot of people post about bringing a robe. If you are wanting to travel light' date=' you can just ask for another hospital gown. Put it on backwards, like you would a button up shirt. It is lightweight, offers coverage when up walking, it has open sides for IVs and tubes, and you dont have to haul it to and from the hospital. I know some people feel more comfortable with a warm comfy robe from home though. Just a thought.[/quote']

Your exactly right... I only wanted to have a carry on and the robe took to much room so I used a second gown... worked perfectly!

Thank you for this thread because my surgery is MONDAY!! I found this site about three weeks ago and I have felt like I've been cramming for an exam with all this information. But this issue has been at the forefront of my mind. OP you must be psychic!

I know you can't shower while in the hospital, but will it be ok to bring wipes of some sort (baby wipes, feminine wipes, or Kleenex wipes) to freshen up?

@ BAYSHORE BUDDY MY SURGERY IS ON THE 4TH GOODLUCK TO YOU.

Hello everyone im Mz. Monroe and I just had my first appointment I guess (pre surgery) I know there is a criteria to (to-do list) before approval. How long does this process take?