What To Take To the Hospital
Here's a fairly complete list of things:
(You won't need a nightgown; the hospital will provide one that will fit over your IV's. If you are quite a bit larger than your surgeon's regular WLS patients, you might want to call the hospital ahead of time and make sure they have a gown that will fit; you don't want to spend 3-4 days in something that is uncomfortable.)
-a knee length bathrobe so you can walk the halls covered up:
(LADIES! PLEASE go through the hospital supplies that you're going to be taking with you as soon as you get your surgery approval and/or date; some gals, depending on where they live, what time of year it is, and the size they wear have had trouble getting a robe at the last minute -- and you WILL need one so you can walk around the halls. Give us the time to help out, if we can!)
-a non-slip pair of slippers that are easy to walk in
-a good hand lotion (hospital soap is very drying)
-a small mirror
-a comb and/or brush
-chapstick (especially for when you first wake up after surgery)
-a box of soft tissues (if you use a lot of it)
-a small tablet and pen (to write down questions, nurses and/or friends' names)
-tissue off face cream like Noxema (it'll be hard to wash your face with IV's in)
-toothbrush and toothpaste (and any other tooth/mouth supplies you use)
-supplies for your period (most of us gals start the day of, or day after, our surgery. Pads are hard to use because you won't be wearing panties; tampons work better.)
-a few magazines to thumb through, if you like, or a book
-your own pillow is handy, and more comfortable
-a small fan is very nice, particularly if it's summer- time
-perhaps a phone card (Some hospitals don't let you make long distance calls without one; if you have a lot of relatives to call, it can come in handy.)
-don't forget to bring any meds your surgeon wants you to take before surgery, and for the rest of your stay, unless they'll be provided in the
hospital
-eyeglasses or contact lenses, and supplies, if you think you'll need them to see
-your address book of people you want to call
-a copy of your will and/or durable power of attorney, a living will, and the names and addresses of all next of kin to go in your chart and how to immediatelycontact your spouse, mate, significant other and/or parents
-wear a loose, A-line dress or duster that you can also wear home comfortably over your incision
-a pair or two of loose-fitting underwear and water bottle for the trip home
Take anything else you'd like to have with you, and good luck!
Keep a list of what you have brought with you to check off quick when you leave, and don't wear, or bring, any valuable jewelry, or watches - or anything else. If you are bringing your CPAP machine, label it carefully with your name as the
hospital requires.
