Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

What Do I Need For The Hospital And For The First Week At Home?



Recommended Posts

Ok so my surgery date of August 23rd is comming quick and that's why I'm asking all these questions I just want be prepared. I was wondering what some of you brought to the hospital and what was the items you bought for the first week/ maybe even second week?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

All I needed was a change of clothes to wear home, my chapstick, phone and charger and a brush/headband for my hair. I brought so much more and didnt use hardly anything. Go easy on stuff for home, your tastes will change and you might not like something the 2nd week you liked the 1st week. I had 2 types of Protein Drinks, 3 kinds of broths/soups, 3 kinds of crystal light and some popsicles. Best of luck to you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I bought more than I actually ended up using, so I'll just post what I used (and what I think would have been useful).

Hospital:

Gas-X strips

Biotene mouth spray (They let me have ice chips so it wasn't a big problem - but I know others swear by it and I tried it a couple of times and it worked ok)

Comfy slippers w/grips

Loose pants to wear home

Tank top

Loose underwear

Flip flops to wear home

Cell phone charger

Medications they didn't supply (mood stabilizer)

Glasses/Glasses case

I brought a ton more. Magazines, my iPod, etc. I was passed out almost all day when I wasn't up walking. I didn't use any of that stuff. I over packed, no doubt about it.

First week:

sugar free Jello

broth (Except vegetable which tastes like old boiled carrots to me)

Protein powder - a few varieties but I have almost 100% stuck with Eas whey Protein Powder in vanilla since it mixes well with everything and goes down easy

Isopure zero carb (15g Protein in 8oz)

Creamy Soups (to strain)

sugar free popsicles

Silk

Skim Milk

Fage 0% Yogurt

That was most of my diet the first week.

Second week I added to the above: (was allowed to move to puree)

Cottage cheese

Refried Beans - Didn't enjoy these so much, tried adding cheese, still didn't like them

fruit to make smoothies

Stuff to make chili - was REALLY good pureed, used ground turkey

Boneless skinless chicken breast - made some good pureed chicken salad and probably would have enjoyed tuna too

Cream of Wheat - healthy grain

I would advise making stuff ahead of time and pureeing and freezing it. I did not feel up to cooking much. I often ate the same stuff over and over.

As far as things around the house go I used:

Gas-X strips again

Vitamins (Multivitamin - Centrum chewables and Vitamin B12 Sublingual)

Make sure you have enough pillows - I often need extra to kind of lay under my stomach when I'm sleeping on my side

Moved cups down to a lower shelf so I could easily reach them

Made sure the dog food containers were light enough that I could move them easily

Children's Tylenol liquid

Children's Benadryl liquid

Those are all that I really used. I had a huge list with more stuff, but a lot of things I didn't use at all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

good list - thanks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I recommend facial wipes, too. The day after surgery I couldn't wait to brush my teeth and wash up. I had biotine mouthwash and toothpaste. It helped so much! Bring a pillow too to take home with you so you can get in and out of the car. Congrats and good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The thing I used most at the hospital was an extension cord for my phone charger. The wall was so far away this was a life saver!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks y'all I love this site it's so helpful and ppl get back to you so fast, I'm going shopping now that I know what to get ;-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hospital: The air conditioner in my room was crazy strong and and cold and unfixable so even with 3 blankets I wanted my sweat shirt.... had my hubby bring it from home. Everyone else's lists cover it except flip flops for walking the halls instead of the weird socks and a loose fitting Empire waist dress for leaving the hospital are all I would add.

At home I also ate sugar free pudding during my first 2 weeks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I suggest a loose,casual dress to come home in. You will not want any waste bands. The cell charger and toothbrush were only other things I used.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I bought more than I actually ended up using' date=' so I'll just post what I used (and what I think would have been useful).

Hospital:

Gas-X strips

Biotene mouth spray (They let me have ice chips so it wasn't a big problem - but I know others swear by it and I tried it a couple of times and it worked ok)

Comfy slippers w/grips

Loose pants to wear home

Tank top

Loose underwear

Flip flops to wear home

Cell phone charger

Medications they didn't supply (mood stabilizer)

Glasses/Glasses case

I brought a ton more. Magazines, my iPod, etc. I was passed out almost all day when I wasn't up walking. I didn't use any of that stuff. I over packed, no doubt about it.

First week:

sugar free Jello

broth (Except vegetable which tastes like old boiled carrots to me)

Protein powder - a few varieties but I have almost 100% stuck with Eas whey Protein Powder in vanilla since it mixes well with everything and goes down easy

Isopure zero carb (15g Protein in 8oz)

Creamy Soups (to strain)

sugar free popsicles

Silk

Skim Milk

Fage 0% Yogurt

That was most of my diet the first week.

Second week I added to the above: (was allowed to move to puree)

Cottage cheese

Refried Beans - Didn't enjoy these so much, tried adding cheese, still didn't like them

fruit to make smoothies

Stuff to make chili - was REALLY good pureed, used ground turkey

Boneless skinless chicken breast - made some good pureed chicken salad and probably would have enjoyed tuna too

Cream of Wheat - healthy grain

I would advise making stuff ahead of time and pureeing and freezing it. I did not feel up to cooking much. I often ate the same stuff over and over.

As far as things around the house go I used:

Gas-X strips again

Vitamins (Multivitamin - Centrum chewables and Vitamin B12 Sublingual)

Make sure you have enough pillows - I often need extra to kind of lay under my stomach when I'm sleeping on my side

Moved cups down to a lower shelf so I could easily reach them

Made sure the dog food containers were light enough that I could move them easily

Children's Tylenol liquid

Children's Benadryl liquid

Those are all that I really used. I had a huge list with more stuff, but a lot of things I didn't use at all.[/quote']

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Lovemeifyoucan lol. my friend just had a baby and a few weeks ago she asked me what she should bring to the hospital. i told her an extension cord too ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I brought and used:

Phone charger

Chapstick

Change of underwear

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Travel pillow (I held it to my tummy on the car ride home)

I had a book which I never felt well enough to read (I did watch some TV) and gas-x strips but I didn't have a problem with gas.

I wore the same clothes leaving than when I came in (minus the underwear). I stayed in the hospital gown (which was comfy) and socks they gave me (rubberized). Didn't need or felt like showering. The nurses gave me a sponge bath with these towelettes everyday and they also gave me a toothbrush, paste and comb.

Glad I didn't overpack.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I love this site everyone got s something in common and the list was great

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Onedayatatime365

      Looking to connect with others who are also on the journey of better health. Post-Op Gastric Sleeve (4/11/24).
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • jparadigm

      Happy Wednesday!
       
      I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far! 
      It's been a bit of a struggle this last week...I'm hungry ALL the time.
      · 1 reply
      1. BlondePatriotInCDA

        Have a great Wednesday too! Sorry you're hungry all the time, I'm pretty much the same..and I'm sick of eating the same food all the time.

    • ChunkCat

      Well, tomorrow I go in for an impromptu hiatal hernia repair after ending up in the ER over the weekend because I couldn't get food down and water was moving at a trickle... I've been having these symptoms on and off for a few weeks but Sunday was the worst by far and came with chest pain and trouble breathing. The ER PA thinks it is just esophagitis and that the surgeon and radiologist are wrong. But the bariatric surgeon swears it is a hernia, possibly a sliding one based on my symptoms. So he fit me into his schedule this week to repair it! I hope he's right and this sorts it out. He's going to do a scope afterwards to be sure there is nothing wrong with the esophagus. Here's hoping it all goes well!!
      · 4 replies
      1. AmberFL

        omgsh!! Hope all goes well!! Keeping you in my thoughts!

      2. gracesmommy2

        Hope you’re doing well!

      3. NickelChip

        I hope it goes well! Sending positive thoughts for a speedy recovery!

      4. AmberFL

        How are you doing? any update?!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×