What to bring to the hospital?

[GramaSuby]

My surgery is on the 30th of Sept and I have never spent time in the hospital so I don't know what I will need to bring and what not to bring. Any suggestions?

[Debbi]

Hi GrammaSuby-

I know just how you feel!  I had never spent any time in the hospital either when all of this dropped into my life.  There is a great thread about this with lots of good suggestions - check this out:
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=34.30

The must-haves in my mind are:  chap stick, eye drops (get the disposable singe use kind, they don't burn), pillow, face wipes and mints.   I also suggest that you bring something like yoga pants for the ride home if you are having the belly-fat graft.  My incision was right where the waist band of my pants was and I had to ride home with my pants unzipped.   

I am sure that my fellow forum-ites will have lots of other good suggestions.

Good thoughts!
Debbi

[leapyrtwins]

Grama -

I'm one of those who packed way too much 

The things I found invaluable were:

a robe (to cover that lovely slit in the back of the hospital gown when you get out of bed) 

a pair of slippers (with good gripping bottoms - you don't want to slip) for when they make you get out of bed and walk the halls

pictures of myself and my kids to put on the bulletin board at the end of my hospital bed (great inspiration during recovery)

sunglasses for the ride home

Other than that the hospital provided everything I needed - gown, comb, toothbrush, paste, very attractive socks, etc.

I had incredible nausea post op and have heard from many on the Forum that peppermint helps that.  So in hindsight, I wish I would have had some of that.

Good luck on the 30th,

Jan

[cindyj]

Hey, how you holding up?

Yep, chap stick!  Eye stuff as well, but the hospital provided the individual packs for me - gave me a bunch to take home also.  Of course, we will cross our fingers that you won't even need any eye lube! 

Hope you're still planning to come to the meeting next week!

Cindy

[krbonner]

The two most important things for me were:
- my own pillow with a brightly colored pillowcase.  The hospital pillows are shockingly uncomfortable and coated with plastic so they don't breathe at all.  The colored pillowcase is so yours doesn't accidentally get mixed up with the hospital ones.
- non skid slip-on shoes or slippers.  Hospital floors are disgusting from a microbe point-of-view.  Have something right by the bed so that whatever you use to walk on the floors never ends up in the bed with you.  I used Crocs (which could then be washed when I got home).

Katie

[CHD63]

Sue .....

You already have many valuable suggestions from the others.  Robe, slippers, Chapstick would be at the top of my list, followed by my own toothbrush and toothpaste.  I did not take my own pillow, but it would have been a nice addition.  Skip the gowns and underclothes, except for clothes to wear home.  You may or may not have a central line and/or IV and cannot put anything over your head.  It may vary some from patient to patient, but I had a catheter for a couple of days, as well.

I had quite a bit of double vision for the first 10-12 days so reading material was useless ..... but pictures are nice to have for those warm, fuzzies we all need.  There was a TV in my room, but I only used it for the sound most of the time.  If you have an IPod and like music, that can be soothing.

Best wishes.  Clarice

[cin605]

If you have a cell phone....do not forget your charger...then you do not have to use the hospital phone.
Best of Luck .
Cindy

[Doc]

Your Toothbrush!

Best Wishes!
 
Doc

[leapyrtwins]

Books were one of the items I overpacked.

Like Clarice I had double vision post op.  I couldn't read or watch TV without closing one eye - which I found to be a total pain in the butt    So, I just chose to sleep instead 

My double vision lasted 2 or 3 days - but it's important to note that not everyone ends up with double vision.  I know many who never experienced it post op.

If you decide to bring an iPod, be aware that the hospital isn't responsible for valuable items and might frown on this - unless you give it to a family member for safekeeping.  Also, if you end up SSD you'll find your iPod pretty disappointing.  Mono sound just isn't as good as stereo 

Jan

[JerseyGirl2]

My double vision lasted 2 or 3 days - but it's important to note that not everyone ends up with double vision.  I know many who never experienced it post op.

I'm among those who didn't have any problems with double vision, and happily read and watched television while in the hospital.  Everyone's story is different!

Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)

[Doc]

I had double vision and I'm SSD, thats why I only brought my Toothbrush...pack lite...family can bring you what you need / like once you're able to enjoy things other than constant sleep...which you'll really need!

Take Care!
 
Doc

[moe]

Great replies!
Can't add anything, but that cell phone charger is definitely a great idea. I was so busy trying to get better and get OUT of the hospital.
Bathrobe is not a bad idea, but I just used a second gown and put it on like a jacket to cover my behind.
Whatever you don't have you can have your gopher person get it (go for this, go for that....... )
Will keep you in our prayers.
Maureen

[staypoz]

I'd add that any tops you bring to wear home should button in the front, so you're not trying to pull something over your head.  I also brought sweet smelling soap and some lavender oil to mask the hospital smell. 

Good luck to you!

staypoz

[msmaggie]

Those soft fuzzy socks!  My feet were always cold  .  My own pillow was a biggie because I have neck issues from time to time.

Priscilla