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What to take to the hospital



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HI everyone. I know there is a thread somewhere that addresses this but I can't find it.

So far on my list are: Gas-X, lip balm and my CPAP machine. Can anyone add to my list and tell me what they're planning to take or took? Thanks for your input.

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#1 most helpful thing I had: A heating pad - for gas pain in the shoulders and also just from getting stiff having to lie only on your back - or getting chilly at night.

A pillow from home

Your own washcloth

Slippers

Earplugs/eyemask - Essential for naps as I was in a sunny room right next to a busy nurse's station!

iPod

A trashy/easy read book - I did read on the second day, but only an easy one as I usual drifted off after 20 mins. You may not need it if they have decent TV - I was in Mexico without a lot of English speaking channels :)

That's really it, I didn't need much stuff because I was mostly sleeping or groggy...I know a lot of people bring a laptop, but I was glad I didn't lug mine as I wouldn't have had the time, energy or focus to use it during the first 72 hours in the hospital.

The only other stuff is basic toiletries - toothbrush, hairbrush, maybe a little Shampoo for a shower before you leave. But they provide you with most of the stuff you need anyway!

GOOD LUCK and don't be nervous! It really was a far easier experience than I thought it would be. :D

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I took a bunch of stuff but all I needed was my CPAP, some clean underwear, and a book to read. Everything else was provided or unneeded. I like to travel light anyway, so I was kinda bummed that I had so much stuff that I didn't use.

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Definitely take a pillow from home! Something that was a lifesaver for me was Biotene Dry Mouth spray. I hated that post op cotton mouth and sore throat....this spray helped so much! Good luck:)

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i've started packing a little also - we are told to bring our own Protein just in case we don't like what the hospital has. I also packed some mixins to flavor Water if needed. I also packed a light robe, sleep shorts, carmex, gas-x. Planning to pack my laptop, nook, slippers also. Planning of course my tooth brush and hair brush - because just feeling a little "put together" makes me feel better. Paper and pen - for any notes. I have to take my program book with me also. My stay is 2-3 nights so I think it is a little longer than some.

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i've started packing a little also - we are told to bring our own Protein just in case we don't like what the hospital has. I also packed some mixins to flavor Water if needed. I also packed a light robe, sleep shorts, carmex, gas-x. Planning to pack my laptop, nook, slippers also. Planning of course my tooth brush and hair brush - because just feeling a little "put together" makes me feel better. Paper and pen - for any notes. I have to take my program book with me also. My stay is 2-3 nights so I think it is a little longer than some.

My stay is supposed to be 2 nights also. I'm worried I'll be bored on Wednesday because I have to be there all day with nothing to do. My scheduled release is Thursday afternoon. I also went to Walmart and bought a heating pad yesterday following the advice on here. I'll take that too. Good idea to bring your own Protein.

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The thing I loved having most was face wipes. Ya know, like the Neutrogena make-up removing wipes? I felt so gross after surgery and it was nice to be able to freshen up a little. The only other things I really needed were my pillow, chap stick, clean undies, a couple of magazines, and my toothbrush/toothpaste (even though the hospital provided that). And of course my iPhone, because I can't live without it. :)

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The lap top was a life saver for me. I was walking the halls after surgery and feeling fine. I checked emails, instant messeged with my family back home, even brought movies to play on the lap top. Really passed my time.

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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