Preparing for Surgery

Ok so I just realized I am 17 days out from my surgery and I don't know what to take with me.  Also, does Portsmouth Naval Hospital allow you to have someone stay with you overnight?  I am so excited! 

Hi There aand good luck on your upcoming surgery.  I just left PNMC on Friday morning.  I was so pleasantly pleased with all the care I rec'd there.  From APU to the OR to Stepdown and then 4F.  All the doctors and nurses are awesome and very attentive. sometimes to attentive!  But they are only doing their job. I packed way to much for my visit.  I would say what you NEED are a pillow, chapstick,  hairbrush, tootbrush/paste, much bigger pants than you think you will need for the way home, your ID,  pads if you are due. I brought reading material that I never even opened.  I was to sore and groogy.  Also, I ended up going home in my PJs because my pants for way to tight.  I took home an extra 13 pounds of fluid and gas.   At no time did they chase my hubby away so I believe that if someone wanted to stay with you the first night in stepdown they would allow that.  Once you get to 4F it may be different.  But I would have your family member pack a bag for him/her to stay the first night with you.  Mine had to go because of getting our son on the move to school the next morning. One thing I will say to you is to prepare yourself for the amount of gas and pain afterward.  I had no idea it would hurt this bad.  Hopefully yours will not be as bad, but I am having a hard tim passing the gas and also getting rid of the fluid. Good Luck to you and I wish you nothing but a swift recovery.  Keep us updated.  Susan  :) ps, sorry for the typing the pain meds are helping but not with my typing  LOL

Good am, Take very little! Honestly, you'll be too busy recovering! For me, I just took clothes (wore the same ones home that I came in), comfy slip on shoes with socks (it was Jan and chilly), a hair tie, a brush, deodorant and that's bout it. I did have my hubs bring a pillow for the trip home. Another kewl thing was I had my scripts called into our pharmacy as soon as we knew I'd be hitting the road. I took my last pain pill at the hospital bout a 1/2 hour before leaving then hubs went and grabbed the scripts once he got me settled at home. SO CLOSE! You'll be joining the Loser ranks SOON! All best!

My husband stayed overnight in the first room you go into following surgery. But I didnt try anyone in the other room for the two following day's. There was four bed's in that room so it would have been close quarters. I brought pillows, pj's, a robe, and hygiene product's. Didnt need much more than that. But pillows were a MUST because as a matter of fact straight out of surgery, they didnt even have any available pillows to give me when I asked for an extra one. So without bringing in my own I would have had to use a rolled up blanket! Good luck

Yep your day is coming up!!!  How exciting!!!  I agree with the others, clothes, slippers, a pillow, and chapstick is about all you need.  Can't wait to welcome you over.

All my suggestions were covered by your responses already.  Don't forget a robe or "duster" to cover your backside of the hospital gown when you do your walking.  :)

Actually, I never had a problem covering my backside while I was in the hospital. I just turned the gown around. I found that people stayed out of my way when I would take a walk. (ok ... I am just kidding - but I think I wore one gown frontwards, and another one backwards) Joe

LOL  That was very funny!  :)

Joe, you're a trip!

Joe, you totally crack me up!!  Thanks for all the replies.  I will take all things recommended, and if I need more I guess my hubby can bring it.  I may have an extended stay as they have to break down my other failed surgery before doing the WLS.  I will have gas strips at home waiting for me and prepare to be in pain.  I have had surgery on my stomach before and I remember localized pain right below my diaphram, that hurt for quite a while.  Dr. Mann already gave me my pain meds for home, but I realize it is vicodin, which I am alergic to, so I need to call to get something different.  It is coming up fast, I have Memorial day weekend, camping, and then it is on to all the preop stuff.  Jolly good fun!