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

    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.
  • 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

    ×