Trying to find out what to do the help physically.....I've been doing great on Liver shrinking diet but am wondering about any other pre surgery tricks....and although I'll only be in hospital for two days...one night....what should I bring...or not bring?

Thank you

My surgery is tomorrow so I was wondering the same thing! YIKES!

Just relax..let it be in God's hand. Pack light for hospital..loose clothes, tennis shoes and the most important item for me was Chapstick. Best of Luck.

@@flipper72 & @@Tazwella, I was told to bring chapstick as mentioned above by Tazwella -- and Gas-X (the strips or chewable kind) to remove any gas discomfort. The nurses at the hospital called me and told me to bring toiletries as they supposedly have everything else such as gowns and slippers. Therefore I have packed deoderant, soap, toothpaste, lotion, Gas-X, chapstick, several clean underwear, magazines (and mp3 player for entertainment) and my daliy prescribed medications. Best of luck to all on the day of your surgery and best wishes for a quick recovery.

Edited August 2, 201511 yr by LuckyStar

Wear loose clothes to the hospital so you can wear the same thing home. Most hospitals have all your basic toiletries, gowns (easier to manage IV poles, drains, etc. -- I know some people bring their own night gown or PJ's, but do you really want blood and drain fluids getting all over your own clothes?), etc. Lip balm is good. Most hospitals won't want you bringing in or taking medications such as gas-x on your own -- plus gas-x is worthless when it comes to surgical gas anyway, since gas-x works on natural gas in the digestive tract, and surgical gas is CO2 floating around outside your digestive tract.

So, lip balm, a phone or iPad (and charger) and you should be good to go. Make sure that whoever is driving you home brings a pillow so you can put that between your torso and the seat belt on the drive home. Good luck!

Don't overpack. Especially electronics. I only ended up using my phone. Bring a long charger cord. I had trouble getting mine to reach my bedside where the plugs were placed. And get up walking as soon as possible. Walk as much as you can. You will feel so much better. My surgery was at noon and they wrote on my board that I was to start walking at 10 pm. When they didn't come at the stroke of 10 I called them. I only needed assisted walking the first time, and that was because they had to show me how to unplug myself, after that I did it on my own. And I did it every chance I got.

Good luck!

@@The Candidate

Agree on the charger cords. I left mine at home and was not pleased!

@@The Candidate

Agree on the charger cords. I left mine at home and was not pleased!

For one night:

Loose clothes to go home in.

Something to read (such as magazines, which you can just pick up and put down in between walking, sipping, sleeping, walking sipping)

Gas-x strips

Soap, toothpaste and toothbrush.

Nightwear/underwear

I stayed 3 nights and 4 days and so in addition I took and found helpful:

Kindle

Face wipes

Lip Balm

Phone and charger

Shampoo and body wash

3 x nightwear

I spent most of the time in between the walking etc either in bed sleeping or watching tv/reading or being checked over by the health professionals, especially in the first day. My husband brought a pillow to put over my tummy so the seat belt didn't dig in for the drive home. Otherwise the hospital provided everything else I wanted.

Kate

@Bufflehead "plus gas-x is worthless when it comes to surgical gas anyway, since gas-x works on natural gas in the digestive tract, and surgical gas is CO2 floating around outside your digestive tract."

Thank you for posting this as I never could visualize how gas-x could work in this situation. You answered the question I never asked!!

Edited August 2, 201511 yr by emma4884

@Bufflehead "plus gas-x is worthless when it comes to surgical gas anyway, since gas-x works on natural gas in the digestive tract, and surgical gas is CO2 floating around outside your digestive tract."

I found it lovely for refreshing my mouth and relieving the gas in my stomach. Just my opinion

@@Bufflehead "plus gas-x is worthless when it comes to surgical gas anyway, since gas-x works on natural gas in the digestive tract, and surgical gas is CO2 floating around outside your digestive tract."

Thank you for posting this as I never could visualize how gas-x could work in this situation. You answered the question I never asked!!

I agree. My surgeon said it wouldn't make any difference. Walking and a heating pad seemed to help the most.

I agree with the others on not over packing. I had to stay 2 nights. You will wear a hospital gown the entire time. I wore the same outfit into the hospital that I did out of the hospital. Lip balm and gas x strips were priceless. I will also highly recommend ear plugs. The nurses station was super loud and right outside my door. Everything else the hospital provided

Thank you all soooooo much!! I really appreciate all the advice. Tomorrow is my clear liquid day..not sure if that means I can have a Protein shake with Water or not....I want to make sure I have all the protein I can but don't want to mess anything up...I'm nervous about the surgery...and have been sticking to doctors orders but for some reason I can't find anything that tells me about pre op pretend the day before.

Thanks again everyone....I hope you're all doing great... I'll definitely keep you posted on my progress ????

Best wishes and the most gentle hugs for your surgery and speedy recovery @@flipper72 !!

Don't forget the robe! Remember hospital gowns have changed a bit, but some still open in the back. Don't be nervous about the surgery, talking to the nurses you will find most of them have had the surgery! Good luck!

You don't need a robe, just get a second gown and wear it backwards when you go out walking in the hall, to avoid accidentally flashing people.