5 days to go!

Have less than a week before my surgery (12/22)! Haven't had too much time to really focus on is as school is still in session. Only have kids for 1/2 day tomorrow, but this week has been wild as they are all wound up for the Christmas break.

Am trying to make sure I have the right things for the hospital. I'm notorious for taking way more than I need for trips, so I'm trying to concenetrate on the things I'll really need!

Here's what I have -- what am I missing and what should I cross off?

insurance card
Living Will
Patient Medical book (from surgeon's office)
cell phone/charger

some type of lip balm. Does it have to be chapstick or would Burts Bees work also?
lotion
toothbrush/paste

pillow
robe
slippers

Is it worth bringing my laptop or Ipod? How about shampoo, etc.? Only time  I've been in the hospital was for the birth of my son 17 years ago, so I can't really remember what I'll need. Should I bring magazines/book or won't I feel up to reading?

Imagine I'll have more questions the next few days as the realization that surgery is next Wednesday takes over!

Thanks.

I took the advise of someone else here, and took only the bare minimums to the hospital.
1) The clothes I wore in, and planned to wear home.
2) Insurance card, living will, and other paperwork pertaining to surgery.
3) Cell phone and charger.
4) Lip balm (any kind will do, take the one you like)
5) A book I had just started.

The hospital furnished the lovely gown and slipper/socks, so I didn't need anything else to wear.  And the gown was far less "exposed" than what I feared, but this is a hospital that caters to WLS patients, and they really went the extra mile for us.  They even gave me a perfectly sized pillow  for the trip home!

The hospital also furnished toothbrush and toothpaste.  (Not my brand, but I'm not all that picky.) 

I'm an email addict, and thought I would also be posting to OH, yet I was glad I didn't take the laptop (or iPad) to the hospital.  I would NOT have used it, as my stomach and back were too sore to want to mess with it. 

I read the book for about 15 minutes total over the 2 days.  Doing it over, I would have left it home.  I was just too "busy" to read.  Always someone coming/going from the room.  Hard to find time to sip my water / protein drink, etc.  LOL

I was only there for 14 hours post RNY so all I needed was my robe and good walking shoes.  I wore my own bright purple gown, robe and slippers and had my purple glasses on and the nurses kept kidding me about how fabulous I looked as I walked the halls.  I did not read or even watch TV.  I did pack a snack bag for hubby so he'd have some treats.  Oh, I forgot bring GAS-X STRIPS.  They melt on your tongue and work great.  (what the nurses didn't know, didn't hurt them, lol...BTW-I'm an RN).  Burt's Bees is my favorite too-I didn't need it but bring it just in case.  Might want to include your hairbrush/comb and loose clothes to wear home.  Nothing snug on the tummy.

My whole experience is written on my profile if you want to read about it.  Good luck and keep asking questions.

TakeListerine, or your fav brand, breath strips. My mouth felt really gunky! Pillow to put between the seatbelt and your belly!slip on pants or skirt, and a top that buttons up the front, pulling a shirt over your head involves abdominal muscles which will be very sore.

Meggie

1.  I'm a germs freak, so I wore flip flops in the hospital for my post-surgery walks.  I could throw them away.  As it turned out, the floors in the Mexican hospital were immaculately cleaned marble.
2.  My feet are always cold so I wore my own socks in bed.  Cute ones, of course!  Those with non-slip bottoms are good.
3.  Elastic waist for the trip home.  Sweats?  Nothing tight.
4.  A small pillow for the trip home.  It should go between you and the seatbelt. 
5.  I took my own velour throw.  I went to Mexico so it was like my security blanket for the hotel, then the hospital and finally for the plane trip home.  Then I washed it!
6.  Those Gas X films that Stephanie recommended.  My left shoulder ached from the gas used to inflate my abdomen.
7.  If you'll go through gadget withdrawal, take your iPod, phone, etc...  My minimum would be a phone.  It has a clock, too.  A pad of paper and a pen.  The hospital usually has those. 
8.  No jewelry. 
9.  Be prepared to have what you'll be sipping post-surgery.  For me it was broth and then SF Jello.
10. If you worry about meals for your family post-surgery, cook something and freeze it. 

Best wishes!!!

Janet