Tomorrow is the day for my much anticipated gastric bypass surgery. I am packing my bag and hoping I am not forgetting anything. Kaiser sent a letter telling me to bring very little, but I want to be comfortable

Anyone have any handy tips on what to forget at home and what to bring?

Just now, PNWgrandma said:

LOL. I will remember this. My biggest fear is the pain. I am a big ole baby and have a low tolerance to pain. hahaha.

I hate pain... i hate needles with a passion. believe it or not not much pain after surgery. Yes moving the wrong way will hurt but you are on pain meds and you will get a script for the good stuff. I got a big bottle of liquid hydrocodone. I maybe used it twice. THe pain after surgery was the air in your chest that pain medication does nothing for. Once you get thru that pain you are golden.

I would say don't overpack. I was sent home the same day after my vsg, and for the rny revision, I went home the next morning, about 24 hrs after being admitted. Basically slept till my release. What I found necessary was a very loose outfit that you can slip over your head, comfortable shoes, your cell phone, necessary ID items and a small pillow for bumps in the road for your ride trip go home is really all I needed.

7 hours ago, PNWgrandma said:

Has anyone used an Abdominal binder right after surgery?

no. I used one after my plastic surgery, but not my weight loss surgery. Some people use them, though.

4 hours ago, PNWgrandma said:

LOL. I will remember this. My biggest fear is the pain. I am a big ole baby and have a low tolerance to pain. hahaha.

pain is all across the board, but I would say based on hanging out on this site for the last eight years that most people have little to no pain with these surgeries. I didn't have pain and wondered if they even did the surgery! The only thing I had which could be considered painful (other than some minor "gas pain" once I got home) was that it was a challenge to change positions for a few days. If I was just lying there, or sitting there, or standing there - no pain. But if I was transitioning from one to the other, like from lying down to sitting, my abs felt like I'd done about 1000 crunches.

they'll send you home with pain pills, so if you're one of the folks who experiences pain after the surgery, you'll have those to keep on top of it.

I took a robe, slippers, and a book.

I never used the slippers because the socks with traction the hospital provided were more comfortable.

I tried reading when I realized I was reading the same page over and over. I don't know if it was the anesthesia or what but I just could not absorb anything. Maybe it was the bed from hell which was a special bed they rented for me that was slightly less comfortable than a cement slab. I spent more time sleeping in the comfortable chair in the room.

The robe was useful, especially on walks. Last thing other patients needed to see was... well... you know.

Everything else was provided by the hospital.

Good luck,

Tek

I hope it's gone well for you OP. Good advice from everyone here as always. I definitely recommend bringing a book/kindle - I finished a whole book over my 36 hour admission, would have been super bored without it.

I way overpacked. Used the grippy slipper socks they gave me, used a second gown as “bathrobe”. Used hairbrush, hair elastic, toothbrush and paste. New Yorker magazine was enough distraction from phone. Left the hospital at noon today. Used a big pillow on car ride home which helped when we went over bumps.

Oh, also helpful was night before watching America’s funniest home vidros etc for distraction

On 12/28/2022 at 2:09 PM, PNWgrandma said:

Has anyone used an Abdominal binder right after surgery?

I am using now that i am home. Not too tight, but some support

Nothing! Kaiser has an excellent bariatric program. Listen to them and stay on their program. I was in and out same day.

On 12/28/2022 at 10:27, PNWgrandma said:

Tomorrow is the day for my much anticipated gastric bypass surgery. I am packing my bag and hoping I am not forgetting anything. Kaiser sent a letter telling me to bring very little, but I want to be comfortable

Anyone have any handy tips on what to forget at home and what to bring?

A ROBE!! I read it on a post somewhere and it was the best thing I brought. When walking the halls immediately after surgery you’re not just going around in your gown. Got a cheap one for $15 on Amazon and it was perfect. I lived in that for 3 days in the hospital. Besides that-phone charger, comfortable clothing to go home in (I wore home what I wore in), toothbrush. That’s it. You’re not going to use anything else. Best of luck!!

I packed light—
1. Cellphone charger/kindle
2. toiletries—Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, comb/brush
3. Pajama pants
4. Undies
5. Slippers
6. Loose clothes (dress, light weight pants)
7. Got abdominal binder from hospit

i packed super light - literally just ID, phone and charger and the loose clothes i came in with. i didn’t even bring a bag just put it all in my pocket. id probably bring chapstick if i did it again.

Personally I packed way too much. I have ish I had brought less actually. I slept most of the time because the pain meds knocked me out. I did play a little Pokémon, but it was maybe for like 30-60 minutes total. I only stayed one night, but I brought a Switch, my iPad, my Quest 2, a quilt, and my Surface Pro 7. Really just bring like your phone or tablet along with clothes and toiletries and you’ll be fine. Chargers help too.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, underwear, loose shirt and sweatpants, slippers, robe,phone charger, phone, eyeglasses, hairbrush, socks, book or magazine.