I realize what you actually need/use will depend on where your procedure is done, clinic, hospital, USA or Mexico and how long you anticipated being away from home.

I read the post here on what the "Must Haves" were and loaded my tote with almost all of the.

Other than the usual things, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush. I only used a fraction of the things I hauled to the hospital with me.

Things I actually used

pajama pants, avoided the need for a robe or extra gown for hiking the halls.

cell phone and charger.

gas x total of 2 strips used in the hospital

biotene spray. for dry mouth. a life saver.

Travel pillow U shaped cloud type pillow.

I also bought a pair of my big girl baggy pants that I had already quit wearing cause they were too baggy. I am so glad I had these, with all the gas I doubt the one I wore in would have been comfortable.

I brought and USED an extension cord for my chargers.

Excellent idea, my phone ended up on the floor at least once because the outlet was too far from where the phone needed to be.

I did the same thing! I packed a ton of stuff, and only ended up using my toothbrush and toothpaste and contact solution. After my surgery, I was out of it until the next morning, so I didn't even use my Kindle to read! My hubby is having surgery on Tuesday, so I think I'll pick up some biotene spray for him - I didn't know that existed, and the dry mouth was horrible! Thanks for that!

My robe that tie in the front, flip flops to walk around the hallway and leav the hosp in because I didn't want to bend down to tie my shoes, toothbrush/paste, cellphone and charger and big baggy clothes that I wore to and from the hospital. Oh and I forgot tic tacs to keep my breath fresh and moist.

My toothbrush and phone.

The rest of the time I was either sleeping or walking.

Didn't want to read, or put on my own clothes or socks.

Tried to use my computer but was too doped up to figure out the hospital wireless.

I was STRICT NPO until the first morning after surgery, so nothing for my mouth.

GAS X does NOTHing for the air they pump in for the surgery. It's not in the stomach, so gas x can't reach it. You have to use the breather and walk a lot.

All I wanted to do was sleep.

Other people have said they needed lip balm badly after surgery.

I too brought a ton of stuff...used only toothbrush/paste, phone charger, chapstick and yoga pants/tee to wear home.

One thing people may not think of--make sure you are VERY WELL hydrated before surgery. Drink until you float the week before!

I packed everything I thought I would need, toothbrush/paste, comb, brush, lotion, change of clothing, nightgown, exrta undies, etc, etc, etc. When I got to my hospital room they had a goody bag with Everything I needed plus special undies for when you have surgery. I didn't need to pack a thing other than my phone and clothes to go home in and actually I didn't even need the phone cause the cell phone service/connection was horrible. My hosptial was Reall Good To Me!

Almost nothing - I was having surgery about 20 minutes away from my house, so I took my phone and laptop (for waiting in case they shuffeld me around) toothpaste, a mouthspray that simulates saliva because I couldnt drink for awhile, pillow and my blankie...hmmm...robe. they provided socks, someone combed my hair but I think I recall forgetting my comb the first day...when it became obvious I would not be leaving the second day hubby brought my groming supplies for the shower, etc. On the way home no coat was needed - but I wore a hoodie and sweats, oh yes CHAPSTICK, lol - this is to the best of my recollection - but I knew I had my hubby, and about (it seemed like) half of Houston waiting to help out, should I need something.

This list is MUCH different than my first list - this was post-conversation with a hospital surgical liason - which showed me the room I would prep in - or one like it, the gown, socks, lotion and more they prefered I use - so as they went down the list, my take with lessened.

I was outpatient, so the only thing I really needed was the chapstick. Used their booties for walking around.

DON'T forget the chapstick.

Seriously. Whoever is meeting you post-op, make sure they have one in their pocket. Pants pocket so it is a little warm and goes on easy. I hate hard, cold chapstick. Know what I mean?

• These are the things I actually used. I didn't really bring much more than that.
  
• 
  
• Insurance card and I.D
  
• Cell Phone
  
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
  
• Deodorant
  
• Brush
  
• Lotion
  
• Lip balm
  
• Loose clothing (underwear, pajama bottoms, t-shirt)
  
• Book
  
• Small pillow
  
• Vitamins
  
• Heating pad
  
• Blue eyeglasses & case
  
• Joe (Husband)
  

The vitamins came in handy. When my RBC count was low, I chewed up a couple vitamins for the Iron. I wanted to go HOME!

The husband came in handy too!

[*]These are the things I actually used. I didn't really bring much more than that.

[*]

[*]Insurance card and I.D

[*]Cell Phone

[*]Toothbrush/Toothpaste

[*]Deodorant

[*]Brush

[*]Lotion

[*]Lip balm

[*]Loose clothing (underwear' date=' pajama bottoms, t-shirt)

[*']Book

[*]Small pillow

[*]Vitamins

[*]Heating pad

[*]Blue eyeglasses & case

[*]Joe (Husband)

The vitamins came in handy. When my RBC count was low, I chewed up a couple vitamins for the Iron. I wanted to go HOME!

The husband came in handy too!

Yeah, whatever you do, don't forget Joe! LOL

I actually used:

• Driver's license, insurance card (for admission)
  
• Cell phone (during prep - what can I say - I'm addicted to Boggle)
  
• Nook (I'm not a tv watcher, but I read a LOT, so between walks I would read, esp. when DH was sleeping during the night)
  
• Robe (I couldn't actually wear it, but I could use it like a blanket. Far superior to thin blankets.)
  
• My own pillow, just a small one I keep for travel. I always take my own pillow anytime I'll be sleeping away from home. I'm a pillow *****. I never have enough. And flat hospital pillows are beyond useless. (This is another use for a robe. I can always wad it up and shove it behind me like a pillow ramp). It's also a good brace against road bumps on the way home (had about a 45 min drive over KS/MO highways - which are not good)
  
• A non-wax lip moisturizer. One of the first things I can remember is asking someone to schmear my mouth with moisturizer, and being euphoric when it finally happened. I felt like I was in a porno or something, basically pouring that stuff all over my entire face.
  
• Toothbrush
  
• Hair clip & stretchy thin headband thing. I can't stand feeling my hair on my face.
  
• I have historically brought some method of hair removal. This time I just made sure to schedule time with my waxer. My mom's Greek, so... yeah.
  
• Clean underwear. Once underwear come off (down is ok, but not off), they don't come back on. It doesn't matter than I only wore them for about 1.5 hours immediately after a super long/hot/antibacterial shower. It's just a rule with me. I didn't mind wearing the same outfit home (I wore something surgery-friendly), but clean undies were a must.
  

That might've been it.

Lip balm

Toothpaste/toothbrush

Cell phone charger

Soap(had to wash up at sink bec I was so hooked up to different machines)

Glasses instead of contact lenses

Yeah, whatever you do, don't forget Joe! LOL

Yep, do not forget the Joe.

Seriously, that man has now sit by my bedside through two surgeries. He walked me around the halls and everything. I'm blessed.