My surgery’s tomorrow and I need to pack for the hospital. What are some things things people didn’t bring to the hospital that they wished they had?

A good book for sure! You'll need comfy jammies, slippers, dressing gown (optional) and a few toiletries inc hair brush/comb. I didn't bother with makeup or anything like that. I didn't take anything for entertainment and man was I bored! I walked about the ward all day talking to people instead lol xx

1. your phone and charger.

2. Chap stick. Your lips will thank you.

3. Lounge pants or PJ bottoms with a loose waist. You'll have to wear the hospital gown because of your IV...but putting bottoms on will make roaming the halls a lot nicer.

4. Don't worry about slippers or socks. The hospital has color coded safety socks they'll make you wear. Yellow means you're a fall risk and need to have someone with you, and grey means you can walk by yourself.

5. I wanted to get the hell out of there...so I brought all my grooming stuff...hair dryer, make up, the works. Took a shower and shampooed the next morning bright and early and looked well groomed and ready to go when my doctor showed up....which I hoped would contribute to me getting discharged right away:) Seemed to work:)

6. Wish I'd brought biotene spray because my mouth was dry as sandpaper right after surgery...and it takes a while until you can drink enough to make the dry go away. Biotene spray would have been a nice comfort item.

7. My own pillow. It comfy, familiar, and smells like home...and that made it easier to relax.

Oh I forgot about the chap stick - I just asked for some petroleum jelly for my lips but yes - is a good idea to take your own x

I brought a lightweight robe. It made it easier to walk the halls and nice to wear for my leak test. Some of the people in my group had their underwear showing because they had no back coverage.

I packed a full bag with pajamas, toothbrush, makeup, And I didn’t use any of it. I wore hospital gowns, used the toothbrush they gave me. So pack light. If you don’t watch tv, bring something to read. I was in pain and very uncomfortable, so I slept most of the time.

I don't know why you would need anything at the hospital, I had the gastric sleeve and I was there overnight and released the very next morning, don't work yourself up to thinking that it's going to be such a major surgery. It's done with 5 little puncture sites, I had no stitches and no tape even. I think the more anxious you are you work it up much more than you need to. I'm 6 mos out,
HW 238 4'11"
SW 209
CW 147
I've lost 91 lbs overall and I couldn't be happier I'm only 25 pounds to my goal. Went from size 18 to an 8.

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A back scratcher!! The pain meds always make me itch so I packed a back scratcher and was so glad I did. It was a life saver. And I totally agree with @Creekimp13 about the Biotene. My doc told me to pack this and it was also a lifesaver. Those 2 little items really made a big difference in my level of comfort while recovering from the surgery.

Best wishes. This surgery is the best thing I have ever done. You will be glad you did it!

Biotene mouth spray!

I brought comfy pants which I didn’t use because my hospital provided pants. I was in a two person room and roomie got there first and controlled the tv the whole time. I just used my phone instead to watch what I wanted. I didn’t shower the next day cause hospital shower didn’t look appealing. I showered when I got home. I was glad I didn’t pack heavy because I didn’t need any of it.

I’m 6 days post-op and I can tell you that the essentials for me were my robe (I got to put it on as soon as I went to my room for recovery and it was a life saver. Felt like I wasn’t flashing anyone and felt warm bc my room was a little cold), chapstick, toothbrush and definitely mouthwash!!! I wasn’t allowed to drink anything so getting to brush my teeth and using mouthwash was a lifesaver.

Comfy pants are a must and I personally brought yoga socks the ones they give you at the hospital are too thin and don't keep you feet warm and I brought my own pillow that was priceless really

I've read a lot to bring your own Pjs. I bought a sleep shirt as I saw on a youtube video someone brought hers. Then I'm hearing pj bottoms are best. Do you think it would be too much to bring a chromecast or my firestick? lol That's probably being real extra but I never have time to watch tv so it will be perfect to binge on netflix series.

Clothes: I'm bringing overlarge pajama bottoms and sweat pants in case I get cold, a lightweight robe, and a loose-fitting dress for discharge day. (I wear dresses almost exclusively so I didn't buy it special or anything LOL.)

Entertainment: I'm bringing my phone, headphones, and Kindle along with necessary chargers.

Toiletries: I'm bringing my standard travel hygiene bag. It's small and has everything I need for overnight, including chapstick and lotion. I'm also bringing my own box of tissues because I blow my nose constantly and can't handle the rough hospital tissues (husband has spent a loooong time in hospital so I already have experience with this!).

Supplies: I'm still building this list. I know I'll be bringing a heating pad. I'm asking my surgeon's office for opinions on an abdominal binder and might bring that. I might bring an eye mask - historically I haven't been able to sleep with them but the meds might be strong enough to overcome that.

So I'm kinda in the in-between in terms of level of packing, lol. Not going with nothing and not going with a whole suitcase. We stay a minimum of two nights in my program so if I really need something I didn't bring, my mom can grab it for me and bring it the 2nd day of the hospital stay.

Clothes: I'm bringing overlarge pajama bottoms and sweat pants in case I get cold, a lightweight robe, and a loose-fitting dress for discharge day. (I wear dresses almost exclusively so I didn't buy it special or anything LOL.)
Entertainment: I'm bringing my phone, headphones, and Kindle along with necessary chargers.
Toiletries: I'm bringing my standard travel hygiene bag. It's small and has everything I need for overnight, including chapstick and lotion. I'm also bringing my own box of tissues because I blow my nose constantly and can't handle the rough hospital tissues (husband has spent a loooong time in hospital so I already have experience with this!).
Supplies: I'm still building this list. I know I'll be bringing a heating pad. I'm asking my surgeon's office for opinions on an abdominal binder and might bring that. I might bring an eye mask - historically I haven't been able to sleep with them but the meds might be strong enough to overcome that.
So I'm kinda in the in-between in terms of level of packing, lol. Not going with nothing and not going with a whole suitcase. We stay a minimum of two nights in my program so if I really need something I didn't bring, my mom can grab it for me and bring it the 2nd day of the hospital stay.

Awesome!!! Thanks! This helps a lot! I didn't even think to bring most of these things.

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Chapstick. It cannot be overstated.

Lounge pants/PJ bottoms. Don't bother with a robe or PJ top.....you won't have any opportunity to use it unless you want to thread your IV bag through the armhole.

My own socks/slippers would have been nice, but my hospital had color coded safety socks and wanted them showing so all the staff could tell if you were a falling hazzard (yellow..fall hazard...grey...you can walk by yourself).

They'll cap your IV so you can take a shower if you're drinking pretty well. That's usually the day you go home, so you can put on comfy street clothes after your shower. Bring a cardigan or hoodie to slip on...you will be cold. I shampooed, styled my hair and put on makeup...I wanted my surgeon to see me as "ready to go"...and it worked:)

I brought books and a movie and really didn't have any chance to look at them. Took a lot of calls from wellwishers, had a lot of visitors...and took a lot of walks. That was enough to keep me busy. Was only there overnight...maybe if I'd had a longer hospitalization?

Biotene spray would have been nice....your mouth gets insanely dry!

Edited February 1, 20188 yr by Creekimp13