Hospital packing

[Justagirl77]

I have a question for all of you out there that have packed
For the hospital? What did you pack and what did you bring that
That was not needed? Also was wondering what recovery
In the hospital is like and what to expect?
Thank you everyone!

[Luna354]

slippers or slide on shoes. a lot of walking the halls is a must! I brought clothes to wear home the next day, tooth brush, tooth paste, hair brush. The day I was there I just stayed in the robe. Cell phone charger too!

[Stacey03]

Phone and charger
Ipad
Gown, slippers, underwear.
Book
Sanitary protection - I totes got my period, on the day!!! Paper knickers for me in theatre!
Toiletries and toothbrush
Lipbalm
Clothes to go home in... same ones i came in as i was out of them in no time.
Shoes!

I used everything I brought with me.

What I wish I had taken... fruit herbal tea bags. I got a couple from the tea lady and found they were so much easier to sip and I loved them and still do. I would have used a few if I had taken a box in.
And I had a small soft pillow to put on my tummy for the car ride home because Dutchie told me to! And that was nice.
Good luck :-)

[Justagirl77]

Thank you! This really helps!

[Stacey03]

Oh and recovery... I was in a shared room which was unfortunate but they were super busy and I did used to work there at one point so didn't make a fuss! The girl sharing with me was having quite a hard time and my room was right next to the theatre doors so people came in and out constantly. But I've worked shifts for so many years I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat and being disturbed didnt bother me too much. I found the drinking okay and was able to immediatly after surgery because they check for leaks when youre under at this place. i did prefer the warm tea though. I had horrible crushing chest pain at one point so made them do an ecg but it was just gas!!! Shoulder tip pain too. But it passed with walking.
A bit of tummy pain but easily controlled with analgesia. I had nasal oxygen for 2 days which was just annoying but easy to deal with. My first shower was lovely. I wandered around the ward with the physio often and they were very useful and good company. By day 2 I was raring to go home and went home that afternoon. For 6 weeks I was so tired I felt like i was pregnant! That passed eventually but i advise heaps of rest and no guilt. Take to your bed, the ship will stay afloat :-)

[Justagirl77]

Thank you this is very helpful!��

[DHB]

Ear plugs & eye mask--they left me in recovery for 12 hours until they could find a bed and it was noisy & bright. Also Biotene spray. My mouth was dry but I wasn't allowed to drink at first. That spray was wonderful.

Biggest tip: Get up & walk as soon as you can. Also--and this was just me--I didn't take the pain pump or the narcotics. After the initial pain meds in my IV I just used Tylenol and was fine. I think it helped me recover more quickly. Obviously, if you're in pain, go ahead and take what you need. Compared to a C-section and knee surgery, I found this less painful and my discomfort was easily managed with Tylenol. Again, everyone is different.

[Justagirl77]

Great I was thinking about wether or not I needed the
Biotin! So yes I will get that!

[DHB]

Great I was thinking about wether or not I needed the
Biotin! So yes I will get that!

I was very popular in the recovery room because I was up & walking around and some of the other bariatric patients were complaining about dry mouths so I let them use it (because it was a spray). Honestly, I could have sold "hits" from that bottle everyone was so happy to get relief.

[Justagirl77]

That’s a sure sign I need it lol ��

[mandyjdc]

Pretty much what everyone else stated:

phone
charger
books (although, outside of walking around the halls, I mostly slept)
a little pillow
clothes to go home in
toothbrush, paste
brush

I had quite a bit of muscle pain and the hospital gave me big ice pads to lay on my stomach which helped a lot!

Other than that, walk as much as you can! It actually helped me feel better.

[azladyrider]

Gas X strips and a change of leggings and a long top. Phone charger of course and also my laptop since I work even when I am out of town or in the hospital. I went to a private hotel room the day after surgery so they had everything else I needed in the room.
I went to Mexico so I also took cash for shopping or buying what I needed vs using my debit card.

[Justagirl77]

Thank you everyone for your words of wisdom you all
Have been very helpful!

[Christie13]

You won't need much. Comfy clothes, a pillow, any meds you take, toiletries, slip on shoes, your phone and charger, chap stick...I brought magazines but slept so much I did not really read much. So I would pack on the light side.