What do I need to bring?

[maestrita 43]

OK, I am flying out for my surgery. What do I NEED to bring with me? What will I need to have at home when I return. I will be flying back the evening after the procedure, and I will not be returning to work until the following Monday. Help me figure out what to bring on the plane, and what to have at home when I get back. Oooooh, I am so excited....one short month away!:thumbup:

[TQUAD64 9]

Hospital stay: I brought the clothes on my back and a change of undies, just in case. Accidents happen! :-) Chapstick, cell phone, hair brush, and insurance card.

Back at home: I bought the following items ahead of time; bottle Water, crystal light, Jello, sf pop cycles, sf yogurt, broth, Isopure, and my RX pain meds, which I had the doctor call into the pharmacy a day ahead of the surgery.

Pack light for the plane. You really won't need much at the hospital.

Good luck!

[nfl1 0]

I also had GasX and liquid Tylenol. Remember to bring a pillow for the plane ride home! (you'll have to put on a seat belt and that may not be comfortable)

I also had creamed Soups on hand for the post-op liquid diet, it's filling, and you just need to strain them if they have contents. Any kind of really flavorful Soup is heavenly (I made 3 vats of venison stew pre-op, and lived on the broth, had more today and was SO happy).

[nfl1 0]

OH, and I agree on packing really light for the hospital - the only things I used were the chapstick (NEEDED), Crocs or slip on sandals (so you can slip on and comfortably walk around the hospital to dispell the gas at night and during the day) and a toothbrush (you will be extremely thirsty, and I needed to be able to do more than just pat Water on my tongue, I felt like a sweater in my mouth).

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I'll probably just repeat everyone's suggestions, but here goes....(had I flown....)

Hospital: Change of undies (LOL TQUAD64 I'm a "panty packer" too) and I'd wear loose comfy clothes, comfy bra (I MUST have a bra but no underwires or extreme shaping) and shoes that slip on and off...glasses because they won't let you wear contacts during surgery, and if I'd stayed overnight (assume you are doing that? If not, you need to stay in a hotel...do not fly home the night of your surgery) then a toothbrush and paste, any other hygiene things like brush etc. And I don't use chapstick but a lip softener...same principal though and a must-have.

To fly...loose clothes, a pillow for your torso. At home, all the above plus clear broth. For the cream of Soups (and the mushie stage) I bought and used a little 2 cup food processor to blend things. It was a wonderful tool!

however week 1 I was just Clear liquids, no Protein even. So good books, puzzles, anything to distract was good.

I just reread your post and you say "flying back the evening after the procedure"...you do mean the next night after your surgery, right? like have it on monday am, fly back tues pm? Or did you mean in the evening, after the procedure? Because if you plan to have it done monday and fly monday night you really really really shouldn't do that.

[MissBS 3]

Hi. I agree with Restless (hi Restless :thumbup:. I flew to Houston for my surgery and I know I would not have been ready to fly home the same day as my surgery. You might want to bring a good book or magazines with you - sometimes the wait is longer than you expect. The little 2 cup food processor that Restless mentioned (I got one after she told me about it) is WONDERFUL!! (JCPenney.com) Propel Water saved me after my surgery. I had trouble drinking very cold beverages, so drank a lot of hot tea and broth. Good luck to you!!! Becky