OMG It's almost my BIG day!!!

I've just made it through Day 6 of my 10 day pre-op diet! Are there REALLY only 4 days left????

I had my pre-op class today and then I have my 4 week post CPAP follow up appointment with the pulmonologist tomorrow at 1:15. Then comes my final support group meeting as a pre-op at 5:30 tomorrow evening.

My surgeon is making me start the bowel prep on Sunday, but that's okay because I get to use a gentler laxative than mag citrate. I get to use Miralax one dose Sunday morn and one Monday morn. Also on Monday I can only have clear liquids all day and naturally no food or drink after midnight!

I can't wait to be on the loser's bench! This weekend is going to fly by!!!

Anyone have any advice on what to pack in my hospital bag? I'm going to have to take my laptop and charger so I can stay on top of school work while I'm in the hospital (otherwise I wouldn't take it). I know loose fitting clothes to go home in, probably my robe and my house shoes for walking... what else?

You might want chapstick and might want your phone.

Otherwise, they will have everything you need but take anything you think you'll really want.

Like, they will have toiletries, but I really wanted my own toothbrush and my hairbrush.  Don't bother with makeup or stuff like that, though.

You can wear your own clothes if you want.  You'll have to wear a hospital gown into the OR.  You will most likely have a catheter in for a little while afterwards, so you could wear a nightgown but not pajama bottoms.  You'll have an IV that might get in the way of a top.  You may also leak fluids from your incisions or otherwise mess up your clothes so I personally just wore the gown.  But if you feel you'll be a lot more comfortable in your own clothes, take them.

I took slippers, but they will give you those socks with nonskid bottoms, so just take your slippers if you really like them better than those sock things.

You're not gonna feel like doing much.  You'll mostly be sleeping or up walking.  You might want a book or something to read while you're waiting to go into the OR or if you can't sleep and get bored, but don't take a lot of stuff.  You won't need it.

Agreed. 

Not sure I would bother with the laptop, you won't feel like doing much.  I was on that pain medicine button like white on rice.  I do not remember much of anything from the hospital, I have *heard* that I lifted my gown to show my sister my incisions (and a whole lot more!)  

Once I got home, I was a little more involved with life, but only minimally for the first week or so.  MAJOR surgery, although it does not *look* major, if you have it laparoscopically, it is still a big deal.  Take it easy for a while.

Good luck.
Julie

Chapstick, and don't bother with the computer...I too was pretty much out of it, couldn't even play cards with my hubby and could barely read a people magazine. I found one thing I should have brought was sugar free jello, the food I got in the hospital wasn't gastric bypass friendly. Good luck!!
Rhonda

 Hi and Good luck!!!!

I am done until tuesday morning, i too have school work but i am going to try and complete all of my stuff for next week on Sunday and Monday, I don't want to worry about anything  the first week. However i am going to try and go to  my son football game.

Yes, agreed, I would not bring your computer as you will need to take care of YOU which should be your focus at this point. Also, I would be afraid that it could get stolen. Can you get your school work completed b/4 you go to the hospital? Also, in the handout that my surgeon gave me, it suggested that you bring a picture with you of something that brings you pleasure when you look at it. I am single with no children (well, actually, I have 3 sweet pups that are my children) so I brought a picture of them with me and it did help me a great deal to have a sweet little picture of them to look at. It was very soothing to see them when I wasn't feeling so hot. Just a thought....

Agreed, don't bother with your computer.  I brought my nook, portable dvd player, etc., and I never got to use them at all because I was so out of it, slept alot, walked, watched some tv, and used my droid a bit.  

Thank you guys for all of the suggestions. I'm trying to get as much school work done as possible this weekend so I'm not worried about it while I'm in the hospital and such. I didn't really want to take the laptop with me and attempt school work while in the hospital, and didn't know how I would be feeling either - if I would be out of it, sleeping most of the time, etc...

Chapstick is definitely going to be a good idea. I've already been warned that I'm going to have the worst cotton mouth after surgery and won't be allowed anything to eat or drink NOR will I be allowed to rinse my mouth with water or anything else until the next day! So again, chapstick will definitely be needed!

The cell phone is an automatic for me. I feel lost without it, as sad as that is. lol

Good thing is, if I forget anything or find myself in need of anything that I didn't think to bring in the first place, I'm having my surgery in the town that I live, so it's just a short drive for my hubby to pick whatever I need up from my house! :)