What to pack for surgery??

I'm having my first resection on Monday to get rid of my stricture and 2 lovely fistulae. It's scheduled as a lap. I'm supposed to be in the hospital for 4 days after and was told to pack a bag with stuff for the stay. Stupid question, but what kind of stuff am I supposed to bring??? Any advice/what do you usually like to bring when you stay in the hospital?

Last time, I came only with my purse and had only a book, floss and (luckily) a toothbrush that happened to be in the bag.

Thanks!

I am not a fan of hospital pillows so I would bring my own....

tooth.. first let me say Good Luck! and a speedy recovery! Please post how you are doing!
I can't really give you advice except to say that after being in the hospital 3 times in the last year and a half I will never forget to bring my own toothbrush and hairbrush again! I am surprised by all the pj and shorts stuff being recommended as I was under the impression that loose BM's and major urgency was the rule with having the ileo-cecal valve and cecum taken out. I was expecting to just wear hospital gowns (my first resection is in less than 3 weeks) as I am thinking that I might make a mess. Also all the hospitals that I have been in only want you to wear what they give you. Someone else on here recommended a hard pillow to put against your abdomen for the ride home.. they said it really helps with the bumpy roads.. also make sure you have something very loose to wear that won't put any pressure on the area.
Good Luck!
NY VEGGIE

Just had surgery on the 5th myself, so I can remember some of the things that I appreciated!

Sports bras! I usually wear the hospital gowns, but feel strange walking around without anything under them. I got the microfiber kind that are easy to slip over your head. You can have your nurse unplug your IV so you can slip one on!

If you have shoes that you can wear with or without socks, they are the easiest. I borrowed slide shoes from my dad that I could slip on and off (they're soccer kind of slip ons).

I always get a pack of face wipes because it's easier to use one of those than clean your face with water.

A pad of paper is always nice also because sometimes you need to write something down to remember later...and with drugs you can't rely on your own memory.

I agree that magazines are easier than books because of the grogginess of being medicated.

Clothes that are elastic waist and not too tight for when you go home...I have capris that look normal but have elastic 3/4ths of the way around that I wore going home.

Finally, I always pack my not so cute panties because you might have a low incision and I pack the ones I don't care if they get stained or if I have to discard them.

Also, I didn't have a BM until 4 days post op, but I had plenty of time to get to the bathroom. I wore at least shorts and a sports bra under my gown at all times. Granted, had I had an accident, I was wearing clothes I didn't care if I got messed up.

Just to add a few things.

I never forget my cell phone charger so I can stay in touch and read the forum! You may not be able to post much, too hard, but you can read. This is assuming you have a smart phone.

I always bring several pillow cases to go on my pillow. They smell like home! Its nice to change it once a day or so since you are in bed most of the time. Family or friends can take them home and wash and return if needed.

Multiple pairs of socks (my feet are always cold) and granny panties. I usually get a couple of pairs of panties in a size or two bigger, they help hold the dressing on without too much tape and who cares if they get ruined (Walmart anyone?)

I have always been given a "cough" pillow by the nurses to hold against my tummy. I usually just take it home with me. It is just one of the small blankets from the ER folded and covered with a pillow case.

Some nurses, usually the older ones, were trained to wedge pillows around patients after surgery. Ask, if they don't offer. have them really WEDGE a pillow behind your back. It helps support you so that you aren't using your stomach muscles to hold you on your side. You can sort of lean on it, while still sleeping on your side. You will need to be changing positions a bit since you will be in bed a bit and being on your back will get old fast. Also ask for an extra pillow to put between your knees, this also helps to relieve some of the stress on your body.

Best of luck and please keep us posted.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I'll try to keep everyone posted after I get back from surgery. No smartphone for me. :(

tooth
I had my pre-op today and was really surprised when my surgeon asked me to push forward my resection so I'll be getting my first in a week!!
Please let me know how you are doing!
My b/f got a little netbook that I can use next week to stay in touch on HW and the hospital has its own wifi!
NY VEGGIE