What To Pack For The Hospital?

[136HereICome 11]

My surgery is scheduled for June 25th and I am super excited...I'm just not sure what to pack for the hospital, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[denalisa 12]

I was really worried about this too but I didn't need anything (or use anything) except for my phone, charger, and toiletries. I did need stuff once I got home - jell-o, broth, Protein Nectars. Good luck to you!

[Chimera 644]

I didn't end up using anything and I was there a week. Didn't read my Kindle - but I did use my phone when hubby brought it to me. Bought a nice new robe - used it at home not at the hospital.

You could bring a toothbrush and paste - but they have that too lol.

[MinaT 669]

I was in the hospital from Monday until late Friday. I used gowns because I bled from the drain, when I finally got the catheter out, it was easier to get down into the toilet. I had an IV and I couldn't put on a robe or anything else. They have gowns that are big enough for bigger people.

The most valuable thing I brought was my brown extremely soft on one side and fuzzy on the other side blanket from Target. I sat in the chair and I used it for comfort. I used it to help support myself to stand up while pressing on my tummy. I used a hair brush. I had a cell phone I couldn't seem to focus on that well, chapstick. When I walked and talked my mouth would dry out and my lips would stick to my gums due to the several different anti-nausea medications that I was on. Water was a bit rough on me, I got sorbet, (i couldn't handle) Isopure fruit crap) I couldn't handle, Jello, I couldn't handle. The only thing that felt GOOD going down, and the one thing that helped me actually be able to train myself to get the Water down was Celestial Seasonings Peppermint Tea and Truvia. They would bring me a food tray with hot water and a regular decaff tea and some generic crappy fake sugar. I opened the cup and wow - the hot water still smelled like coffee. Instead, I would ask the nurses to bring me hot water in large styrofoam cup. I made sure I never walked without one of the moist wipes. I kept them near at all times.

Go in to surgery with a sense of humor. I had "theme music" playing in my head. I am 49 and I never liked cartoons really and my favorite show of all - time growing up was Sanford and Son. I brought my sense of humor and my Theme Music from Sandford and Son, I hummed it, I made the nurses hum it, I woke up and everyone hummed my Theme Music. Go in with a good attitude and even if you have as many complications as I have had, you will keep that good sense of humor and make it through.

Good Luck.,

[mylifeinpink 350]

Heating pad- and 5 weeks post op- its still my best friend!

[SleeveDreamer 383]

CHAP STICK! While on ice chips and just liquids, the area around your mouth and lips gets very dry.

[MinaT 669]

Heating pad would be great, but my hospital did not allow it, they gave me hot packs.

[DuranFan1969 119]

I took several things to the hospital, but I only ended up using my phone, phone charger, my kindle and lip balm - I slept most of the time when I wasn't up walking, so didn't have time or energy to do much else.