I've been scheduled for an August 1, 2005 surgery. It still has to be approved but my insurance generally approves it. Two of my co-workers have the band with the same insurance. I am so happy.

I'm so excited and nervous and giddy and delirious. LOL!!

Please someone give a list of things to take to the hospital with me.

thanks guys for all the great information and support on this website. Lurking on these boards is what gave me the determination to go do this for myself.

Well, it depend on where your hospital is, and how long you will be there doesn't it.

If you are just going for a day surgury, I'd wear a nightgown or a caftan. I have a lovely lepord print caftan I wore, and no, you can't have it... yet.

Depending on whether you normally wear a bra or not, or how comfortable going without one, you will need to make a decision on a bra. If you decide to to with a bra, I recommend you choose something without wires. A tight t-shirt or a sports bra will nicely corral the girls (or boys if you need a manzier) I cut the bottom band of a sports bra so it wasn't too tight. You will undoubtably have an incision mid-sternum. If you have your port placed in the European style, it will be on your sternum.

Slippers. Yes. Stilo heels. No. Actually, a cofmy slip on shoe is the best bet, unless you are married to Prince Charming, that is.

if you are staying over night, you will need your usual over night kit -- tooth brush and stuff like that.

You will not need art projects, math homework of any sort (this includes finance or accounting btw)

If you have sleep apnea, you will need your CPAP or BiPAP. (Damn thing) Don't forget it, because you will feel extra specially crappy in the morning.

Clean undies. 'nuff said.

Things to bring to the hospital

Slippers - easy to slip on.

Clothes - easy to slip on and off (wear them in, wear them out)

Personally, I brought a little pair of shorts and a tank (with the bra built in). Those massive gowns just make you feel so unattractive and they are bulky. I used one as a bathrobe when I walked to the bathroom. I was SO glad I had my outfit - it made me feel so much better - and it was EASIER to move in bed - it's already weird - but add the loads of fabric - phew - I was glad to get out of that. Plus, if anyone wants to look at your incision - up goes the gown, and everything is exposed. This way - they only lifted up your tank.

Otherwise - nothing else I brought (other than my hairbrush and toothbrush got any use).

Good Luck

You won't need much, I tell ya. Just to emphasize what has already been said here.....CLEARLY think out what clothes you will wear to the hospital because it REALLY matters on your way home. If I had it to do all over, I'd have gone with a caftan as vinesqueen said. I wore a huge tshirt and loose elasticy waistband pants but they still bugged. My port is mid belly and the waistband hit that just so. UN good.

Me, I'm not too uptight about the ol' jiggly bod, so I wore the VERY roomy gown they gave me with nothing underneath and was fine. Yeah, they lift your gown frequently to look at your incisions, but everytime they pulled the bed blanket up to cover my lower parts then only lifted my gown high enough to see the incisions. I figured my surgeon had already seen all my parts when he operated on me so now wasn't the time to get all modest! But they give MUCH dignity the way they go about it so no problems there.

They gave me little sockies with treads on the bottom so no slippers necessary for me. I did bring some just in case tho.

I had brought a bunch of books and magazines but found none of them interesting while I was there. I pretty much just wanted to lay there and sleep. And on the other side, that backpack was WAY too heavy for me. My sister grumbled HARD because she had to carry it for me.

Less is more. Don't bring anything of value because they'll take that away and put it in a safe for you. I brought my tiny iPod shuffle but they didn't think it was a good idea to hang onto so I never even got to use it.

Don't bring your wallet if you can help it. I had to because I had to pay that day. If someone is bringing you, leave your wallet and all your credit cards at home. If you do need your wallet, clean out the credit cards first or only bring the one you will pay with.

Toothbrush, hairbrush, things to tie your hair back if you need 'em (I did).

OH! And a chapstick. Man will your mouth and lips be dry after the surgery. When I put that sweet blistex on my lips as the were cracked and stretched, MAN it felt good.

I was told to bring a pillow preferably a mushy one to use as a stomach brace if I coughed and for the ride home. I wore loose t-shirt and cottony pants again loose. My port is at my sternum so the pants didn't bother that. If you know your port will be in the waist area then I would go with a loose comfy dress of some sort.

I was also told that if I wanted to wear socks during the operation makke sure they are cotton not polyester as polyester could spark from the equipment ( I had to wonder why the equipment would ever be near my feet but I made sure they were cotton anyway) I was told the same for underwear. Yuo will go in without underwear unless you are on your period or strongly object and demand them but if you do demand them...make sure they are all cotton. You don't want any unwanted sparks flying around there, LOL.

Comfortable slip on shoes are a must too if you have slip on tennis shoes (the mule type) or flip flops as long as you aren't giong to trip and fall or anything like that.

The only other thing they recommended I bring is chapstick if I thought I needed it. I guess if I had trouble with dry lips enough to bother putting it on. I brought it but my lips being dry was my last concern after surgury!!! so it is still unused.

The surgury center wouldn't let me wear my bra home even though it was a sports bra so don't spend any time or money looking for a new bra for the occasion, you might not get to wear it.