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

what to bring to hospital



Recommended Posts

This will be my first overnight stay at the hospital. I plan on bringing clothes that are easy to put on and off, sweats and yoga pants probably and then the basic toiletrees but wondering what else other people brought?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm told you won't need a lot, call your hospital and find out what they will already provide. I know mine has toiletries and non skid socks already. I will wear loose fitting clothes to the hospital and then wear them home again so that I don't have to pack any other clothes besides undergarments. I'll bring my phone, charger, probably my laptop just in case. I am debating a firm pillow to hold against my stomach when I get up and down off the bed and then to put between me and the seatbelt on the way home. I'm told a heating pad is nice as is Gas X. Remember everything you playing you have to carry back.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You may want to bring your own cozy robe - lightweight or fluffy your choice...it's a touch of home and it's nice to wear walking the halls after surgery to get that gas out. I'm planning to bring my lightweight purple robe with me, and I know my husband really appreciated his robe during his surgery. Sure beats the hospital robe! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know it's different for everyone. I had a C-section and a hysterectomy, so I remember the comfort of holding a pillow against my stomach the first time I stood up. Honestly, I didn't even think about it. Standing up didn't cause pain. I just felt really wobbly, thanks to the anesthesia and pain meds. Standing, walking, etc didn't make me long for support for my tummy at all.

I encourage you to get someone you trust to stay with you, all night, too. Not bashing hospitals, but it is just WISE to have someone completely lucid to watch over you and take care of you. My husband held onto my cell phone and charger. I made an overnight bag with clothes to wear home (including my biggest undies so they wouldn't bind). My feet get cold easy, so I brought socks. I like mine better than hospital issue. Headband and brush for my hair. No hassle styling after surgery.

Oh! If the hospital doesn't include this as their standard protocol, ask for a scopalomine patch (also known as a 'Scope Patch'). It's a little circle patch that is great in eliminating nausea and you wear it for 3 days. Wonderful!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sounds like you've got it all, comfy comfy comfy! I brought magazines and a DVD player and iPad and didn't use them. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't know about you guys but I couldn't wear a robe because of my IV. I was happy for the sweats I brought so I didn't flash anyone walking the halls lol. That's all I used the time I was there

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would say most deg a little firm pillow to hold over tummy when u get up and moving around and Burt's bees for lips are a must. I took so much more and could not use and truth is didn't need it. I took pants (couldn't wear cuz of foley) I took robe (couldn't wear cuz of IV) I took gas-x and listerine strips hospital would not let me take. I took toiletries but hospital gave me everything there to. I took entertainment (iPad w/ movies, books, etc) to tired for any of it. With pain meds I was either sitting up sleeping or walking.

Hope it helps! :)

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok another weird question. I guess I can ask this during my anesthesiologist pre op appointment but the nurse told me no makeup or nail polish on surgery day. I knew no makeup because that's what they told me during my last surgery but they never told me no nail polish. Does anyone know the reason, is it about bright colors? I only ask because my graduation is exactly a week before and ill probably be getting a gel French manicure for that, would that be okay. Gel doesnt come off with nail polish remover so id have to go back to salon to take it off

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Someone suggested an eye mask and earplugs so we might actually get some rest in the noisy hospital. I will be there three days so I bought some

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They are ok with clear nail varnish, they look at the colour of your toes and fingers during surgery for signs of poor circulation. Nail varnish can mask the early signs.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You can get by with ONE nail exposed. Like the earlier post, it's to monitor oxygen levels and your natural nail bed says a lot.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't know about you guys but I couldn't wear a robe because of my IV. I was happy for the sweats I brought so I didn't flash anyone walking the halls lol. That's all I used the time I was there

True, you can't put your arms through with the IV, but you can wrap it around your shoulders and let it hang. I couldn't imagine wearing sweats or pants- I don't even know if my hospital would let me. I don't think I'd want anything near the incisions and might end up with a banana bag (I soooo hope I don't!). But everybody is different- bring what you think will work for you. I also second having someone with you overnight if at all possible- no matter how good nursing care is, there is nothing like having family or a close friend with you. They will be there a lot more than the nurses and can remind you every few minutes to keep sipping Protein Shake, Water, use your spirometer, time to walk again, etc.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok another weird question. I guess I can ask this during my anesthesiologist pre op appointment but the nurse told me no makeup or nail polish on surgery day. I knew no makeup because that's what they told me during my last surgery but they never told me no nail polish. Does anyone know the reason' date=' is it about bright colors? I only ask because my graduation is exactly a week before and ill probably be getting a gel French manicure for that, would that be okay. Gel doesnt come off with nail polish remover so id have to go back to salon to take it off[/quote']

No nail polish is because the anesthesiologist needs to see the color of your nail beds to monitor you. I had to take off nail polish even before wisdom teeth surgery.

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

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • 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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • 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

    ×