4 Days till surgery! I *think* I have everything--any other suggestions?

writegirl

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Knoxville TN
It's hard to believe my DS surgery date is just four days from now. I keep feeling like I am missing something that I need to bring with me to the hospital. Is there anything y'all brought or wish you had brought that you would recommend?

Here's what I have so far:

GasX strips
Biotene spray
Heating pad
Small extension cord
Non-skid slippers
Comfy loose pajamas because I hate hospital gowns
A warm robe
Aquaphor ointment to combat the dry skin
All my medications (the ones I take pre-op and the ones my surgeon prescribed for post-op)

Am I missing anything? I will be bringing the bare minimum of basic toiletries as well.
 
Something easy to keep you entertained, depending on how long you'll be in. Trashy novel, trashy shows on an iPad...nothing that requires a lot of brain power!

Chargers for same

earphones/buds because the BEEP BOOP of all that gear will get tiring
 
Something easy to keep you entertained, depending on how long you'll be in. Trashy novel, trashy shows on an iPad...nothing that requires a lot of brain power!

Ah, great ideas. I hadn't even thought of entertaining myself while there. My surgeon keeps us two days unless there are complications. I probably should have something to do when not asleep.
 
This is more my flight list, but an eye mask can be invaluable when you want to sleep. I was in a clinic, not a hospital, but the constant light and people wandering in and out can be frustrating.
 
I'm hot natured, so I brought a fan, and I'm so glad I did! Also, the surgery triggers many women's body and causes them to start their period. I did. Anyways, the hospitals have the huge navel to neck pads they give you after you have a baby. I was really glad I had tampons with me. Might be good to have a few tucked away. Also, chapstick. I would've gone insane without it.
 
I'm hot natured, so I brought a fan, and I'm so glad I did! Also, the surgery triggers many women's body and causes them to start their period. I did. Anyways, the hospitals have the huge navel to neck pads they give you after you have a baby. I was really glad I had tampons with me. Might be good to have a few tucked away. Also, chapstick. I would've gone insane without it.

It never even occurred to me that I might get my period. Thanks for that tip. And, yeah, I can't live without lip balm lol.
 
I'm so excited for you! Heating pad is definitely a great idea. My lower back is still killing me from that hospital bed. My only other suggestion is, if you have any overnight guest staying in your room, they might want to bring their own blankets. My sister and boyfriend were freezing under the spare sheets that the hospital gave them!

And don't be afraid to hit that call button! I needed help getting up to use the bathroom every time, mostly because of my tangled up IV.

You don't need it, but good luck!
 
Baby wipes and air freshener.

OMG, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU on the air freshener. I hope I'll be cleaned out enough pre-op that I don't have a BM for quite a few days post op but I need to remember to buy more air freshener and some poopouri! I never leave home for an overnight without wipes (fatgirlproblems).
 
I'm so excited for you! Heating pad is definitely a great idea. My lower back is still killing me from that hospital bed. My only other suggestion is, if you have any overnight guest staying in your room, they might want to bring their own blankets. My sister and boyfriend were freezing under the spare sheets that the hospital gave them!

And don't be afraid to hit that call button! I needed help getting up to use the bathroom every time, mostly because of my tangled up IV.

You don't need it, but good luck!

These are awesome suggestions Caitlunn--I am not sure whether my daugher or boyfriend will try to spend the night. I am kind of hoping they will go home and get a better night's sleep than they would in the hospital, but I will leave it up to them and remind them to bring some warm blankets and a pillow from home if one or both decides to stay. Someone on one of the boards somewhere (maybe here) had mentioned that the heating pad is great for the sore muscles after surgery, but also for helping combat the gas pains or at least the feeling of shoulder pain with the gas that sometimes happens. I suffered horribly with shoulder pain after my daughter was born via c-section and no one told me it was gas until after the fact. I would have killed for a heating pad lol.
 
One word about the hospital gowns. They were designed to allow access for IV's, etc. You will be bare assed naked inside the OR except for the hospital gown draped on you. Since the IV's are inserted in the prep area and not removed until the discharge papers are signed, it will be impossible to put on any pajama top not designed for such access. And you can use a second hospital gown as a robe. Slippers...as clean as they try to keep hospitals, they are a germ factory. They are gonna give you slippers and even if you don't use them, the hospital charges for them.

Also I didn't take any extra clothes but panties. Wore home what I wore in.

Put all of what you think you need on the bed and then put back most of it.

Leave the heating pad at home. But do put a pillow in the car for the ride home (don't take it inside, just leave it in the car).

Any medications you take in will be confiscated by the staff and be given the hospital equivalent if there is one. A break from vitamins during this is fine. Just start back after you get back home.
 

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