7 days till I leave.... help needed what to take!!
ok--if i had to do it again....i would do the bare minimum...anything you bring in you have to take out........first of all i would check with someone who has recent had their surgery at Barix so you know exactly what is supplied and dont duplicate..each hospital is a little diff for what it has. I was so drugged there was no way i was reading anything..........no way i cared about how my hair looked (so i would ditch the shampoo and conditioner) once you are home you can hose everything down. They have nice wipes--so they will take care of your bottom issues. I wouldnt take a robe--i would just put a hospital gown on backwards to get up and walk. Have a pair of shoes you can slip into and out of without have to bend over......lip mosturizer. something loose to wear home and address your binder that will be in place. and deodorant..........and call it a day.......this wont be your most fashionable time! good luck and hug, rae
Ok...I showered once, two days after my surgery. One thing I had that I was SO glad to have was the table top fan. I blew it on my face (my surgery was in August, tho...). I also brought a personal CD player, but never used it. HOWEVER, I did use the headphones to listen to the TV. I would keep it on all night, so I used them to not disturb my room mate (another wls patient). And I brought my own pillow. The hospital pillows were terrible. I didn't use any of the toiletries that I brought. The hospital gave me shampoo, soap, toothpaste (used my own toothbrush). I brought a new robe and slippers. Didn't use either at the hospital. I used the slipper socks the hospital provided and just wore two of the gowns from the hospital. I didn't read the books or magazines I brought. I watched a little TV, slept a lot, walked often and chatted with my hubby. When he wasn't there, I text messaged him...LOL! They had very limited hours at Hurley and hubby stayed in a hotel nearby (I have no idead how Barix is). We were an hour and a half from home.
I wore the same clothes home that I wore to the hospital. Hurley provided me with a pillow for the ride home. That was a necessity.
I know everyone's stay is different. I'm of the mindset that you should take exactly what you think you will need. So what if you don't use it. At least you'll have it...just in case. But if you are traveling a great distance, then you might want to limit what you bring.
OH...something for your lips is necessary, as others have said.
Good luck! Tina
Just wanted to add my story that I think is funny.....
My mom stayed at the hospital with me (U of M) while DH2B stayed with the boys at home. She packed some shaving cream and a razor. The day after surgery I finally managed to get into a shower and here comes mom telling me to shave my legs so the poor docs and nurses don't have to deal with my stubble! Only my mom would think of that!
I went to Cost Plus and got some really nice vanilla lavender scented lotion. I used it all the time because after about 12 hours the "hospital smell" got to me. I totally glammed it up and got red feathered slippers and brought my robe from home because I felt more human walking the halls.
I heard somewhere that the mind-set you are in when you go into surgery is how you will feel when you come out. Probably just an old wives' tale, but I smiled and thanked everyone right before they put me out. I hope you remember to tell yourself this is a great gift, and even when you feel like crap hours after surgery, try to stay positive!
Good Luck to you guys!
Brenda
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