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

This isn't something to bring, but something to do. If you are a coffee, tea, cola, or Mtn. Dew drinker (that is, you use caffeine), decaffeinate yourself BEFORE surgery. This is easiest to do over a few days - either cut back on how many cups of your caffeinatated beverage gradually, or change the mix of caff/decaf in your coffeepot.

Caffeine withdrawal can give you a wicked headache that pain meds often don't touch, and can make nausea postop worse.

I didn't need much just brought phone and charger earphones wore pair jogging pants last day besides that they had everything i needed at hospital

Pillow for ride home between seatbelt & you it works so seatbelt dosent rub on incision

You all are so great to share! I copied and pasted from here and my list is huge!

12/28....fingers crossed!

A journal and pencil. Write down everything you feel before and as soon as you are coherent, after surgery and do this everyday until you decide you have chronicled all you need

Fantastic thread! Just the type of upbeat, proactive info I wanted to read.

No date for me, just yet. I'm Vic, Australia, so any Aussie alternatives to the Gas-X, etc, are most welcome! I have no idea what half of the American medicinal aids are, but they must be good, right? Hahaa

Glad to see people are still posting.

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but the things I used most were Biotene dry mouth spray and Act dry mouth lozenges. I was thirsty the whole time I was in the hospital, so much so that I didn't have any trouble meeting my Water requirements. I sprayed my mouth and popped a lozenge before doing my walking, and they really helped. Also, I took a bottle of Mio water flavoring. It really helped a lot in getting the water I had to drink down. I always have trouble getting enough water down when it's plain water.

Edited February 1, 201610 yr by bunyip

Fantastic thread! Just the type of upbeat, proactive info I wanted to read.

No date for me, just yet. I'm Vic, Australia, so any Aussie alternatives to the Gas-X, etc, are most welcome! I have no idea what half of the American medicinal aids are, but they must be good, right? Hahaa

Glad to see people are still posting.

Hi! Gas-x strips are small sheets you place on your tongue and they melt to relieve gas. I'm sure if you go to any Pharmacy you will find something comparable. Also ask the Pharmacist (chemist) and they should be an.e to help you find something similar.

Or order online.....CVS.com, Walgreens.com

Fantastic! I'll ask them.

Thanks so much.

Uncertain about precisely what you're searching for, before acquiring any medication or herbs you have to consult a doctor. To find out more or to become knowledgeable you can go through some good websites like Healthfinder.gov etc ... also you will get a free e-book on weight loss here http://www.weight-loss-nutrition.net

I needed this thread!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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.

Samples? Where do you get those?

I watched in a youtube blog to bring a child sippy cup with you, because it helps teach you how to take the sip sip sip swallows. It prevents you from taking to big of sips while you are learning how to use your new stomach. I love this tip, I'm bring one to the Hospital with me.

Before the surgery, I actually made chicken and beef broth and froze it. I knew when I got home I wasn't going to be cooking, so thawing it and heating it up a little bit at a time was a huge help.

I did the same thing! I bought pre-made low sodium broth top heat, but I made chicken and beef bone broth and froze that!

Tuani

On 2010-10-30 at 8:42 PM, TStew said:

Thanks for putting this together!

A few things I've read about that I probably wouldn't have thought of:

An eye mask and ear plugs (wish I would have had them a few months ago during my hospital stay!!)

Slippers or slip on shoes to walk the hallway

A camera

Lotion, shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc

Reading glasses

Phone charger

I'm getting the surgery in Mexico and I plan to bring some Water and food items with me for the night before. I don't want to have to worry about going out to get something to eat (I'll be by myself).

Edited March 19, 20179 yr by Please