Hospital ?s can you bring a pillow?

[Sooverit! 1]

I am due for surgery for the Lap Band procedure in 2 days. My question for those who have going through this surgery is:

1. Did you or could you bring a pillow to the hospital for the (ugg) gurney? I don't like the thought of laying flat on my back for 2-3 hours waiting for surgery, or is the pre op bed more like a raised hospital bed?

2. Can I, did you bring my own little blanket...I know I'm a BIG baby! :-)

3. Was it okay to bring in a book to read in pre op?

4. How long did it take before you felt like you could go home? My surgeon said I could go home as soon as I felt up to it.

[Sarah.R 2]

Yes you can bring a pillow, although you'll have to get a friend/relative tohold it while your in surgery.

The blankets they give you are pretty warm/comfy so theirs really no need to bring your own.

You can bring a book but chances are you won't be reading it, they want you to move around to help with the pain afterwards - which means walking, you probably won't get a chance to read anything

Most people go home after a day - like they have surgery monday morning and go home tuesday morning, it's almost always day surgery so most only stay in a short time unless they get a hernia fixed or something

[RestlessMonkey 7]

They have plenty pillows and honestly if your experience is normal, you'll be in a bed w/pillows, blankets, head raised to your specs etc. You'll be "FLAT" when they transport you, then you'll be out and won't care at all.

When you come to in recovery you are raised a little. I don't like lying flat either and it wasn't ever an issue.

ALSO...you don't want to get blood on your pillow, blanket, etc. Once you're post op and they've cleaned you up, it won't be as likely to happen. Take your pillow and blanket for the ride home if you want but otherwise you won't really need it. And yes you can read preop. I went home the same day (YAY) ... your surgeon should've told you if you'd be going home or staying overnight.

[Sooverit! 1]

Thanks Restless and Sarah so much. I will leave my stuff for the car ride!

[sistasassy 6]

I took a book but didn't end up reading it. I was too busy getting prepped for surgery and away I went. (Literally, I have a mob of nurses on me and the Versed was barely in my IV when I was moved to surgery)

I took my own pillow and blanket for once I was in my room. I was glad I did. I slept better.

I was first in surgery that morning, stayed overnight, and went home around noon the next day.

[TQUAD64 9]

Hello:

It was okay for me to bring a book to read preop, bust seriously I had no time to read. Prep for the OR was very quick and before I knew it I was in having surgery.

Yes, I could bring my own blanket, but did not.

The preop bed for me was just like any other hospital bed. It raised up and down and they have extra pillows and blankets to keep me warm.

I really could not go home right away until we could get the pain under control. I don't tolerate pain meds very well, so I stayed in the hospital 2.5 days.

[Band_Groupie 3]

A little off-topic, but in case someone has the same allergies as I do...I'm highly allergic to almost everything environmental including most detergents. I'm pre-band, but had another surgery a few years ago which involved a 2 night stay. My DH had to bring me sheets, pillow and a nightie from home as I was about to scratch my skin off-rash everywhere (I think they boil those hospital sheets in bleach). They told me lots of people bring their own pillows (just don't take a white pillowcase and you'll remember it when you leave). I had a sleep test a few weeks ago and took my own set of sheets (just put over/under theirs), pillow, jammies...plan to do the same for my LB surgery (not for the surgery bed, but for the stay after).

[sistasassy 6]

I took my own jammies as well and I was in them less than an hour after surgery. I also took a robe and slippers for walking in the halls. I spent most of my time either sleeping or walking (walking to knock down that gas pain in my back and shoulder).

[momcof3 1]

I was the first surgery in the morning at 8 and my dad was driving me out of the parking lot at 12:30 that day. I did bring a pillow for the bumps in the car. I was taken in a wheelchair down to x-ray 1 1/2 hours after surgery and had to stand and drink the stuff. Interesting how different each hospital/program can be.

[LSF 264]

I brought a book - never read it - all I could do was sleep afterwards. I'm ALWAYS cold so I brought a flannel shirt to put over my hospital gown - never used it. I was suprised that I was comfortable with their blankets and the bed props up anyway.