I'm having surgery on Thursday and it just occurred to me that I need to bring a bag to the hospital. And I hate packing. It gives me insane anxiety.

When I had my daughter, six years ago, I packed totally wrong for the hospital. I was told to pack clothes that I wore when I was around 6 months pregnant. What a joke! I literally lost 9 pounds after giving birth, pretty much exactly enough to account for the weight of the baby plus the placenta. And my feet were so swollen when I got out that I had to wear a pair of slippers home because none of my shoes fit.

I remember some people on my mom board saying they put makeup in their hospital bags, but I honestly don't care what I look like when I'm recovering. In my pre-op class they said NOT to bring meds, that they would give us anything we take regularly, plus anything we need for any pain or discomfort.

When I gave birth they had me in hospital gowns the whole time. I only got dressed to go home. Is it the same way with bariatric surgery? If so, I really only need a baggy shirt, leggings, undergarments, socks and slippers, right? Deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, I guess. What else?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

The only thing I'd add is a small thing of hand lotion (though the nurses likely have some if you need it). My hands were dry. I brought only my phone, charger, ID, insurance card (so I could pick up meds afterwards), lip balm, and ear plugs. I expected it to be noisy, but it wasn't. I left in the clothes I arrived in (baggy stuff). I didn't even bring toothpaste and a toothbrush. They provided that. A baggy robe may have been nice, but they gave me an extra hospital gown to put on the opposite way. Good luck to you!