My day is coming! I’m looking for some good book recommendations, or podcasts. I’ll have about a week and a half off and figure I need something to occupy my time and it’s been awhile since I read so….

What did y’all pack in your hospital bags? What didn’t you pack that you wish you did?

don't take much, because you're likely to spend most of your time sleeping Cell phone and charger for sure (you may even want to pick up one of those really long cables in case the outlet is kind of far from your bed). Baggy, easy-to-put on clothes for going home (I just wore the same thing that I wore TO the hospital). Lots of people use lip balm and dry mouth spray (such as Biotene). I took both and didnt' use them, but a lot of people do). Some people like a pillow to put over their stomach for the ride home. I took toiletries, but needn't have bothered since the hospital gave me a bag of them - shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant. Some people like to bring their own sleeping attire, but the hospital will provide you with that (open in the back in case they need to listen to your lungs or whatever) - although it might not be a bad idea to have something to throw over that for when they have you out walking the halls (which they will...) - otherwise, "open in the back" means open in the back - the whole way down! But yea - don't pack much because you're not there very long, and as I said, you'll probably spend a lot of that time sleeping.

Cat woman is right- i had stuff loaded to my ipad like books and movies- but ended up on sleeping or walking- getting the fluids in when i was allowed to start took a lot of focus. So, dont plan on a lot at the hospital. When home, I watched movies and could do some light reading, but again- fluids intake was a full time job at that point. I went back to work tuesday after a Friday surgery.

I wore the same clothes home from the hospital that I wore there. I took nothing except my purse and phone. Never even looked at my phone except on the ride home. Shocking huh? LOL I had fam members there who kept the rest of my family updated.

At home, my laptop and tv remote kept me occupied between naps. Trying to read a book and remembering any of it that first week? IDK... seems a bit of a fog.

I took the essentials but the ONE mistake I made was taking pj pants that fit me properly. Take you biggest comfiest pants you have because the gas WILL make your stomach bigger & your pants will fit tighter. The ride home was uncomfortable so definitely look for your comfiest pants!

I didn't take much. Comfortable, loose clothes. I also brought a baggy cardigan for comfort. I'm glad i did because I was so cold all the time. A phone and charger. Get a long cord for your phone charger. Toiletries (though the hospital may have them) and chapstick. I slept most of the time. And when I wasn't sleeping, I was walking or trying to get fluids in.

So, people keep saying “trying to get fluids in” like is it really that hard? What makes it difficult? What does it feel like? I guess I have a hard time wrapping my head around it because I have never had a hard time eating and drinking. Just curious and trying to prep myself.

6 minutes ago, £€@h said:

So, people keep saying “trying to get fluids in” like is it really that hard? What makes it difficult? What does it feel like? I guess I have a hard time wrapping my head around it because I have never had a hard time eating and drinking. Just curious and trying to prep myself.

For me, I just didn't want it. I had no desire to drink in the hospital. I had to as part of my discharge requirements. Now, if I drink too much at a time, I feel a lot if pressure that is uncomfortable. 64oz is a lot of fluid to take in when you're stomach is so small and still swollen. Some people say the fuild goes right through their stomach. It doesn't for me. I can comfortably do 1.5 oz of fluid every 10-15 minutes. I am literally drinking my entire waking hours.

Edited May 9, 20233 yr by LindsayT

On 5/9/2023 at 11:54 AM, £€@h said:

So, people keep saying “trying to get fluids in” like is it really that hard? What makes it difficult? What does it feel like? I guess I have a hard time wrapping my head around it because I have never had a hard time eating and drinking. Just curious and trying to prep myself.

So for me it felt like my like my new stomach was communicating with my throat. It's like my stomach was saying 'hey we're small now, so we can't gulp as much down as before' & my throat would only want to take smaller sips. Even now I can't gulp down 4 pills at the same time like I used to, I do them 1 by 1 now. It gets better as time passes by but you'll feel it

^^^ Yep- I didnt think it was possible either because I used to drink TONS of water, but I had no desire or will, and had to play the head game of just a little sip wont hurt- all day long. I still cant drink a lot of water at a time- but can get more crystal lite tea in than water, which confuses me. So strange- but between fluids, vitamins four times a day and eating 3 small meals I feel Ike i am constantly putting something in my mouth.

4 hours ago, Sigh said:

So strange- but between fluids, Vitamins four times a day and eating 3 small meals I feel Ike i am constantly putting something in my mouth.

Oh my gosh, YES!

Essentials like phone, charger... Etc. A baggy outfit that slides over your head with little effort. Comfortable footwear. A pillow to hug on the bumpy ride home or nap in the car. As@catwoman7 said, they provide shampoo... etc. if needed. I went home within 24 hrs so I basically, slept the entire time.

The only thing I took out of my bag was my tablet and ear plugs! Went home in what I wore in. Just used a hospital gown. All I did was sleep day one and day 2 really didn't feel like being on tablet much. Tired and focussed on enough fluids to get me discharged the next day.

So I should bring a long phone charger?? jk.
were y’all able to wear your Jammie’s from home or did you have to wear the hospital gown? Do the docs wake you to get fluids or go for a walk? Are most people on oxygen the entire hospital stay and if so should I bring a nasal spray?
I Guess I’m getting nervous…

I dont think many are on oxygen during your recovery- I know I went to a specific Bariatric hospital in Mexico, and none of use were on oxygen.

I had a 4 hour flight there and back- and wore my jeans/tee/zip up hoodie home.- oh and slip on shoes! There was some swelling - so you could realistically wear your pjs home if you are just going straight home. I had an iV for the two days i was there, and so I stayed in gowns mostly- one to over the other as a robe like garment so I could walk thru the halls without my backside showing. Less was more, as I didnt want to have to carry or check any luggage for the 4 day trip- just my backpack which worked great- I totally didnt care what i looked like as long as i didnt smell bad. (Standards= low maintenance and minimal)