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

Thank you so much for your efforts. I have surgery next week and this was so valuable!

My surgery is April 18th. I'm really nervous, glad I found this site. I just went and purchased the gas x strips and the heating pad

I think the excitement of the big day causes you to overthink, and then rethink and think again. I bought SO MUCH stuff and used none of it. After surgery I was so out of it, I didn't listen to my ipod, I didn't look at my iphone and I certaintly did not think about my laptop. I wasn't experiencing a lot of pain, I was just tired. I have never experienced a fatigue like that in my life and even 3 months post op, I still feel tired to the bone sometimes. Of course everyone is tired in life, but I experience fatigue much more severely since I've had my sleeve. I bought tons of comfy clothes and ended up using none of it.. correction, I wore an oversized tshirt that I bought with me on the day of discharge, but I kept the scrub bottoms they gave me because they were so comfy and I wore a pair of crocs. I would advise to pack light because you really won't be thinking about any of that stuff more than likely. I Would suggest to have a pillow. I had a bumpy ride home and it was horrible. By the time I reached the front door I was almost ready to faint and was completely nauseous and had a fever. The bumps were the worst and I didn't bring a pillow to lean into to protect myself from that.

Best of luck to all those in the planning stages.

I think I'm more worried about the whole liquid thing on the airplane than anything!(Going to MX) How will I carry all my shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, face lotion, toothpaste, body lotion, etc. in ONE quart sized bag? I guess I need to be simple for a week but I feel so much better when I have all those things. I guess being overweight I pay alot of attention to my physical appearance and smells...lol! Any suggestions?

On a side not I have lost 24.5 pounds on the preop diet and haven't smoked since last Sunday!! So proud of myself...hehe!

I think I'm more worried about the whole liquid thing on the airplane than anything!(Going to MX) How will I carry all my shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, face lotion, toothpaste, body lotion, etc. in ONE quart sized bag? I guess I need to be simple for a week but I feel so much better when I have all those things. I guess being overweight I pay alot of attention to my physical appearance and smells...lol! Any suggestions?

On a side not I have lost 24.5 pounds on the preop diet and haven't smoked since last Sunday!! So proud of myself...hehe!

Wow.. I would definitely pare that list down if you can. Remember not to take anything bigger than 4 ounces or they will take it and throw it out. (I forgot and bought some wonderful Mexican vanilla, and I nearly cried when they chunked it.)

You should be VERY proud of your weight loss AND the fact that you stopped smoking. You will be doing 2 things to help extend your life with this surgery.

I would strongly reccomend checking your bag on the return trip home. Also just a note...If you want to take a water or juice or something on the plane coming home let them know it is for "Medical Purposes" they will test it but will allow you to board with it...A tip I recieved from a TSA agent in El Centro, Ca

I have my binder left over from my tummy tuck, would that be as helpful as a pillow? It's elastic and just wraps around so it can be removed whenever quite easily.

I think I will take my empty Florida Gators tall coffee cup because it has a sippy lid. I can keep it in my purse, empty, and just fill it at water fountains as I pass them. I hate paying so much for bottled water!.

Thanks so much for this information! My husband has his surgery last week and mine will be in June. He had a terrible sore throat that eventually had to be treated with antibiotics but I can't help but think that the lozenges might have helped. I've already printed out this list and will be grateful for it! Thanks much - so glad to find a forum of those who understand!

I was out today looking for a mug warmer when my hubby said, why don't you use the Mrs. Tea as your warmer. You can make your drinks then keep them warm.

Cool idea; have not used my Mrs. Tea in 5 years. Now, if I can find it in the garage....

What is full liquids??

My NUT has my full liquids as Clear Liquids (unsweetened tea with splenda no milk or creamerish stuff, SF Jello, clear broths, SF popsicles, G2 Gatorade, Crystal Light, Diet Snapple, Water, and clear Protein shakes such as Isopure, Protein Blitz, and New whey Protein shots. She said if I mix 1 bottle of G2 with 1 bottle of Protein Blitz = almost full day's liquids).

For FULL liquids, its all of that ++ Light & Fit yogurt, SF pudding, Cream of (mushroom, chicken, potato, etc) Soup with LACTAID milk (as we may have a problem with milk right after), SF Carnation Instant Breakfast, Egg Drop Soup, Wanton Soup (no wantons), Miso Soup (no seaweed), V8 juice, and any SF shakes.

Thanks, this was helpful

If we have a CPAP machine, do we need to bring that to the hospital?

If we have a CPAP machine' date=' do we need to bring that to the hospital?[/quote']

Yes and if it requires distilled Water bring that too.