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

While at the hospital, they gave me a glycerin swab for my dry mouth. It was a sponge on a stick. It saved me when my mouth was so dry my cheeks were sticking to my gums.

I really didn't use any time occupying materials, as When I wasn't sleeping, I was trying to walk and once allowed, sip some Protein.

Best to have is a loved one to help and encourage gently.

Thanks for starting this thread. I've been making a list of what I will need and reading what others wrote was very helpful!

I took and did NOT use:

Robe, gown, slippers

I wore the hospital gown and the little socks

with the non-slip things on the bottom the whole time

I was there. They put them on you before surgery!

A heating pad is the best pain reliever I think, pack one

if you can! Have a travel pillow for the ride home, whether

you are traveling by plane, train or automobile - you need one

to have between you and the seatbelt and you need one in case

you cough or sneeze, or heaven forbid LAUGH!! Forget

make-up, but take shampoo, blow dryer and all that good stuff.

so you can feel good when you leave the hospital. I had my cell

phone, but wouldn't have felt like or wanted a book or laptop.

I wore home what I wore to the hospital - it was clean.

Ok, I have made the Hospital Stay Checklist. Keep the suggestions coming. I'll make updates once in awhile. :-) I do hope this helps!!

The attachment is in the first post... it will remain there including any adjustments.

whoohooo!

thank you

Bring something for your spouse to read!

Catheder bag? Ugh they really make you have one?

My doctor had us have one, it gets taken out the day after surgery. It really wasn't as bad as I thought. The day of the surgery and the next day, I was so tired and sore, it was kind of a good thing.

Catheder bag? Ugh they really make you have one?

I didn't have one.

Catheder bag? Ugh they really make you have one?

Thank you, this list is a huge help for me!

Your meds. Any meds that you might need that are necessities. Of course, the doctor will have to approve you taking anything. I take High bp, antidepressants, thyroid, high cholesterol meds. also if you have a sleep apnea machine, Kaiser wants you to bring that. The pillow was suggested to me. I bought a "Surgery Bear" at the Build a Bear Workshop. Her names is Giggles. She's pink, yellow, orange swirly kinda. Very soft and cuddly. She giggles when you press you paw. I need my support Bear.

I HAVE SURGERY IS 5 DAYS. OMG

If you pick one thing; one thing at all it is Gas-X strips!! They are amazing! I used them as a pain pill almost! When the gas pain got too much I would take one an the gas would come right off and the pain would go down.

Also a heating pad is wonderful!

This is a fantastic thread!

What are some things to have at home after surgery? My husband is already asking me what I am going to need and I'm not sure what to tell him.

This is a fantastic thread!

What are some things to have at home after surgery? My husband is already asking me what I am going to need and I'm not sure what to tell him.

Pretty much many of the things listed here will be helpful to you at home too.

One thing I would concentrate on however is making sure you have all of your Clear liquids and full liquids available and ready to go. I would personally choose to order the individual samples so you won't be stuck with huge tubs of Protein supplements that you may not like post surgery. My tastebuds were really off whack and though I liked some pre surgery I really couldn't stand them after.

However your tastebuds do return and if you buy something you know you liked in the past you may like it again someday after.

Pretty much many of the things listed here will be helpful to you at home too.

One thing I would concentrate on however is making sure you have all of your Clear liquids and full liquids available and ready to go. I would personally choose to order the individual samples so you won't be stuck with huge tubs of Protein supplements that you may not like post surgery. My tastebuds were really off whack and though I liked some pre surgery I really couldn't stand them after.

However your tastebuds do return and if you buy something you know you liked in the past you may like it again someday after.

Thank you! That's very helpful. I'm going to have to find some good samples. I'm currently liking the premier Protein shakes from costco, but I have talked to a few people who couldn't stand them after surgery. We'll see...