What are the top 5 thing you brought? I have surgery planned for January 8th....I kinda have an idea of what to bring....but it doesn't hurt to ask everyone else!

iPad/internet capable phone or device

Change of clothes

Chapstick

Chargers

Someone to support you or keep you company

I didn't take too much & honestly didn't use half of it. I wasn't allowed to change into my own pajamas. With an IV in my hand, it wasn't happening. I wore their gown, didn't even bother to use my robe when walking the halls, again I would not have been able to put it on with the IV in.

What I did use was my blistex, slippers (cheap ones I tossed before going home) my hair brush & my phone charger. My hospital provided toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, moisturizer, etc.

phone, charger, body wash/shower gel and deodorant other than comfy clothes to go in that all i need the whole time all meds and food and water etc were provided.

I took way too much. Mostly I slept and watched TV. I used my teddy bear, house slippers, Chapstick, pen and paper, my glasses and a watch. I wore the loosest clothes I had, knowing that I would go home with a tender belly.

Chapstick! I didn't bring earplugs but that's a great idea.

Chapstick

Long phone charger

My own pillow

Ear plugs

Can't think of a fifth. I way overpacked and these are the only things I really needed, and to be honest the hospital gave me ear plugs too so j could have done without them.

I bought pants specifically to wear home, I bought pajama bottoms a size larger than I would normally wear so they would be loose on my tummy

a pillow is a great idea I wish I had brought one for the ride home. We had a bit of a bumpy ride and every bump hurt. if you have pets its a good idea to keep a pillow near you. My kitties kept wanting to cuddle so I had a pillow I put over my tummy so we could still snuggle

1. Gas X fast dissolve strips

2. Lip balm

3. Extra loose pajamas and slippers

4. Cell phone charger

5. Reading material

1. Pillow to brace your stomach

2. Biotene mouthwash- helps dry mouth

3. Lip balm

4. Phone charger

5. Comfy clothes for ride home

After reading posts and watching videos from other helpful sleevers, I brought...

1) Lip Balm - since you can't drink until the leak test the next day, your lips get very dry.

2) Biotene Gel - it is for dry mouth (also from no drinking) and I thought it was way better than the swab sticks the hospital gave.

3) Gas X Strips - I ordered them online and didn't realize the ones I got were peppermint flavored but that turned out great because you can't brush your teeth either until the next day. The hospital had to take them to their lab to verify the were ok but they returned the pack right away approved. I had not opened the box yet and they returned it unopened.

4) Comfy Slippers - you need to walk a lot and the socks the hospital gives you are great but you come back with lots of dust on them and don't really want to get into bed with dust on your socks.

5) Favorite Pillow - it was great for 2 reasons - I was more comfortable resting with my own pillow in the hospital bed and - also for the ride home under my seat belt.

All were wonderful advice and hope it helps you. Good luck!

Tha k you everyone for all the great ideas!

My phone, loose pajamas, and Gas-X strips!

Make sure your hospital will let you have things like gas x strips, biotene and the like. Mine wouldn't unless I had orders from my surgeon. I wanted cough drops/lozenges very badly and even brought some but they had to get the doctor to order them and then I had to use theirs! Maybe a good idea to get your surgeon to clear you to use them up front, you might get to have them more quickly! Took hours to get the order for throat lozenges!

Phone, old navy credit card (seriously, get one, or one to some other store that gives clothing as the 'reward.' Buying a new wardrobe every couple of months is godawfully expensive otherwise), gas x, pillow, and something emotionally comforting (bear, blanket, etc).

I don't even own pajama bottoms but I might consider a pair because I hate working about my butt hanging out.