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What I'm Planning to Pack for Hospital Stay



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I'm still Pre-Op but this is a list of the items I am planning to take with me to the Hospital.

1. Insurance card and I.D

2. Cell Phone/Charger/Phone Cards

3. Toothbrush/Toothpaste

4.Deodorant

5.Lotion

6.Lip-gloss (non petroleum based, its flammable and if you are on oxygen its not a good idea)

7.Brush/Comb

8.Hair Clips/ rubber band/headscarf

9.Nightgown (may be difficult with Iv's)/Loose Clothing

10.Slippers

11.Robe

12. Notebook (if you document through journaling)

13.Pillow/Neck Pillow

14.Pads/Tampons (most women get their period right after surgery)

15.Baby Wipes (to help freshen up)

16.Gas-x Thin Strips/Baby Mylecon drops (ask your doctor)

17.Sleep Mask/Earplugs

18.Oasis Dry Mouth Spray

19.Sugar free sweetener/Caffeine Free Tea Bags

20.Small Extension Cord

seems like alot but it will probably fit into a regular sized back pack. Hope this helps anyone that is preop!!!

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I'm a little concerned about the cycle after surgery stuff... I got a Mirena in Feb and I've been great all these months.. I don't want it!!! LOL... UGH!!!!

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Ohhhhhhh I love lists! Thank you for posting this, you gave me some good ideas!

When is your surgery?

I am awaiting approval from my insurance. But per my patient intake coordinator if approved surgery will be the last week of october or the first week of november....Good luck!!

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Great list my surgery is November 5th YIKES a month away. I am a self pay going to Mexico alone....Hubby has to watch the kiddos...I'm scared and excited at the same is that possible...Thansk again for the list..will help me alot....

Question I will be flying on the plane will reaching overhead bust my stiches?

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this is what i used (surgery was in mexico)

houseshoes

toothbrush/paste

contact solution /case

scrunchie

cell phone and charger

chapstick

deodorant

brush /comb

took a book--never opened it

used another one of their gown in reverse as a robe

stayed in their gown--it was just easier

did not need gas x and mouth spray--i was lucky

did use those pre moisened wipes (like toilet paper) on the way home plus some diaper rash ointment--made my butt feel much much better!!!!

be sure to leave ALL jewelry at home--remove nail polish and fake nails

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Best thing I took was a snap up the front duster. I don't know if it was because they allow for the largest of people but their hospital gown was almost dangerous for me. After almost tripping a second time I changed to my duster and was very glad I had bought it. Ditto with the baby wipes. They had a pack of similar things to wash with but they were not flushable and I wanted *my* flushable brand.

In the US hospital I was in they discouraged anything on your feet but the gripper socks they supply. They only allowed slippers or shoes on you if you needed some sort of orthothic. Again, it was a safety thing.

I took very little and was glad as with flowers and a stuffed animal delivered, things multiplied anyway. I was glad I didn't have to haul a lot out when I left. The time flew by and I didn't even have time to watch TV let alone read or write. Although it might have been funny later to have read some of what I wrote while the heavy meds were in full effect!

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Thanks so much for this list! My surgery is on the 18th and of course i'm scrambling at the last minute to get myself prepared. I've read other posts where people suggest you bring a small firm pillow to hold against your stomach when trying to sit or stand for support...

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Why no nailpoish?

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from other posts that I've read here on VST, some surgeons prefer that your nails be clean and clear so that they can detect discoloration in your nails which can be a sign that something may be wrong. I've also seen that it's for sanitary/infection control purposes as surgery is supposed to be done in a sterile environment on a clean patient.

Not sure of the validity of either reason.

Why no nailpoish?

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Thank u

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Great list Lisa!

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      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

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

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