List of items needed

What items are needed in the hospital and after? I am going to try to get some things every week before surgery so I don't have so much to buy at once.

I woud like to know also.  Can you wash your hair and how do you bath?

Chapstick while your in the hospital..Lose clothing for the day you go home.

Afterwards I found that those tank tops with built in bras were much more comfortable/tolerable then a regular bra.

I showered a day after my surgery. Because your scares are small from the Laproscope ..... I just didn't face INTO the shower... I just let it flow mostly on my back and used a wash clothe to wash my front. Washing my hair wasn't a problem either.

I ate a lot of instant potatos and refried beans thinned down with chicken broth.

Good Luck
Jodi

Congratulations ladies on your new journey.  It will be an exciting one.  I had my surgery 13 months ago at St. Vincent's and I really needed very little while there.  You can wear home what you wear to the hospital so be sure it is a nice loose outfit especially around your tummy area.  Make sure you take some lip balm or gloss.  Slip on shoes for your walking - something easy on and easy off and comfortable.  Extra undies that are not tight around your waist.  You can take a robe but they will give you a gown to wear backwards and works better with your IV right at first.  Never wore my robe.  I did take a pair of PJs and wore those the 2nd day.   Whatever you need for your hair, makeup if you want, toothbrush and tooth paste.  If you menstruate, you may want to take some pads with you.  For some reason surgery will cause some people to start their period early.  I took a book but never opened it.  Did take a magazine and flipped through it the 2nd night.  If you have an IPod or MP3 player throw that in.  A list of names and phone numbers if you want your support person to call someone after surgery for you to let them know you are doing well.  You will be allowed to shower on the 2nd day if you are doing well.  If you have a ways to travel home, a pillow is nice to have in the car to give your tummy support.  Really there is little you need to take as they take such good care of you.  Since I had a 2.5 hr drive home they even gave me bottled water and some protein to take with me as drinking is an absolute MUST!!! As far as what to have at home afterwards --- My most valuable purchase was 1 oz and 2 oz plastic cups and lids from Gordon Food Service.  These are the little cups used for condiments in restaurants.  They were just the right size for those early portions.  I would dish out my puddings, apple sauce, yogurt, etc. in those and so much easier that way.  All I had to do was reach in the frig and get what I needed.  Also no dishes to wash!  I would also recommend that you buy a couple of extra sippy cups.  Other items to have on hand are Crystal Lite packs, broth, a vanilla flavored protein powder, sugar free pudding and jello mixes and some of the nonperishable items on your food list from your nutritionist.  Don't buy a lot of protein powders right at first as your tastes will change.  At first things often seem overly sweet to you but it does get better.  Have your vitamins on hand and ready to go!  If you can find FAGE yogurt that is really good with some Splenda mixed in it.  Fage is a greek style yogurt that is much higher protein that regular yogurt.  Make sure to get the 0% or 2%.  The total Fage has way to many sugars and fat in it.   I still eat this once or twice a day.  Another good site for information besides this site is BariatricEating.com.  I get my proteins mostly from there.  They have a "Sample Pack" that is a really good purchase.  It has several different types and flavors of protein that is nice to try.  I would buy this before hand but wait until after surgery to try them as what you like before, you probably won't like afterwards.  Also the have individual sample packs you can purchase of different things to try.   Also I personally like their Bariatric Advantage vitamins much better than the Flintstones or Centrum chewables.  I hated those two vitamins but don't mind the Bariatric Advantage at all.  You have found a wonderful site here to come to.  I have found everyone to be very supportive and a second family even though I have never met a single person on here.  Best wishes on your new journey and wonderful new life.  Peg

In the hospital you need clothes or nightgown and shoes to walk in. You WILL be walking.. Chapstick. I washed up in the hospital and waited to shower until I got home... Find a good body lotion/body butter.. you need to keep your skin soft... we tend to get a little drier than most folks because most of our liquid is going to vital organs and the skin is the last to get it. I had a LOT od refried beans ands cheese sticks to begin my journey as well as milk. Best wishes for a safe h appy journey. Linda Kay

Everyone had pretty much told you all the stuff that I would recommend.  One thing they mentioned to us in pre-op class that was awesome for me was to take a  couple of undershirts that you can wear under your binder after surgery.  They tend to itch and make you sweat which can cause irration.  I work a tank top under mine at the hospital and for the first week at home.  It really does make you more comfortable.  Don't forget the chapstick! They are great to help you out if you go to St. Vincents.  I was treated very very well there. Good luck and take care,  Tracy