Question:
What items should I definitly have on hand for when I come home from the hospital?
Would like some specific details on exactly what I will need to have at home for when I return from the hospital. — Donna B. (posted on March 2, 2000)
March 2, 2000
Donna, first there are some food items that you should have on hand; cream
of wheat, oatmeal, chicken broth, jello sugar free instant pudding, grape
juice, cold flitered water, 1% milk, carnation instant breakfast no sugar
added or other protein shake, sugar free popsicles, crystal light,sugar
free jello, cream of chicken soup, sugar free hot cocoa, eggs, instant
mashed potatoes. It would be a good idea to buy a "mini prep" by
cuisinart(around $30 at bed bath and beyond) if you want pureed foods. A
roomy silky nightgown (as to not irritate incision), electric blanket, some
current magazines, spanish guitar cd's and scented candles made my recovery
comfortable and happy. Best of luck for your surgery and near-future
weight loss!...Jennifer in Indiana.
— [Deactivated Member]
March 2, 2000
One item I did have at home after surgery that my mother
actually thought of that turned out to be a God send was a
body pillow. Getting comfortable the first week or so home
is almost impossible. The body pillow really helped a lot.
— dboat
March 2, 2000
I had to take my medicine crushed for a few weeks so it helped to have a
pill crusher on hand (not a pill cutter although that might be something to
consider). Also, I was very happy to use an old fashioned heating pad. For
my aching back my sister rubbed on Icey Heat and I was surprised at what a
great help that was.
— Fran B.
March 2, 2000
Donna, one thing that came in real handy for me was a wedge. {a triangle
shaped pillow cushion---my Dad got it in the hospital when he broke his
ribs & his insurance paid for it, since it was purchased at the hosp.}
It was nice to have in my bed----helped lying down and getting up a lot
easier. Also....a small baby spoon helped me remember to take small bites
of food, made me feel like I was eating more than I actually was! Hope this
helps.. Good Luck ! Dani
— Dani J.
March 2, 2000
Well Donna, for me it was chicken broth (Swanson's in a box,
cuz it went further), sugarfree popsicles, sugar free juice.
My physician also had me (all his patients) drinking a high
protein beverage, but I could not tolerate it, so they had
me mix 1 pkg instant breakfast with 1/2 cup powered non-fat
milk and 1 cup low-fat milk which I mixed in a blender and
had to drink several times a day. Interestingly enough, I
truly craved the chicken broth---because of the salt I think.
Everything else was so sweet I really needed some salt.
Hope this helps. Email me if you want more info or just need
someone to talk with.
Best of luck, I know you will do great!
Judy
— Judy P.
March 2, 2000
I'm now ten days postop, and besides what everyone else has already
suggested, I'd suggest the little pre-made cups of sugar free jello you can
get at some supermarkets, and progresso soups -- beef barley run through
the blender makes three meals -- and I bought a bunch of those little four
- six ounce rubbermaid storage bowls. If you don't have a blender, I'd
suggest getting one as the designer protein I drink is not tolerable unless
I put it in the blender with skim milk and ice cubes. I'm allowed to have
cottage cheese, and since I do get really sick of all the sweet-ish stuff
we drink on a liquid diet, the cottage cheese is sooooo good (but not as
good as the Progresso beef barley soup.) Also buy a case or two of bottled
water in the kind of bottles that you can carry around with you wherever
you go to keep you hydrated. That's all! Good luck!
— Elizabeth M.
March 5, 2000
A blender or food processor would be good because you have to eat your
foods in liquid form pretty much. Make sure you have all of the vitamin
supplements on hand, you will need those. :)
— Krista C.
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