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Surgery scheduled, what personal items should I bring to the hospital?

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Posted 1/17/2015 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have my 1 step scheduled for 1/20 and I'm starting to make a list of personal items I'll be bringing to the hospital. Aside from clothes, toiletries, books, magazines and a laptop, what else would you recommend I pack?
Posted 1/17/2015 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
I had my step 1 in December. Clothes wise I really only brought what I wanted to wear home cause I stayed in the hospital gown the whole time I was there. I would recommend a robe. They will want you to walk around the next day so having a robe allows for better coverage than the gown when you are walking around the hospital. Other than that you seem pretty set. I brought magazines and stuff as well. Stuff to get you occupied. I brought a toothbrush and toothpaste. Didn't bring shampoo or anything cause I didn't take an actual shower while I was there. Only used soap and a rag and wiped everything clean. Also I recommend a blanket you might like from home. They have plenty but I just liked having my nice, soft blanket from home too. Also any electronics you bring, remember chargers! Good luck! Are you having a total of 2 or 3 steps? Mine is 2 and I'm getting the second on February 16.
Posted 1/17/2015 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Pack some lip balm. My lips get so chapped in the hospital and I always forget to bring some along. Oh and don't forget to bring your charger for your phone and/or laptop. Another thing I always forget to pack! Make sure your going home clothes are comfy and roomy. Sweatpants are the best choice. Good luck!
Posted 1/17/2015 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! Good advice above. I also recommend a quality eye mask. They will give you ear plugs if you ask for them. Also consider downloading a "white noise" sleep sounds app and bring headphones. Maybe my hospital is a noisy one, but these things really helped me get rest.
Bring Crocs or whatever safe easy slip ons you have. Don't wanna walk around the hospital in the socks you'll have in bed. I recommend crocs cause you can wear them in the shower.
I also bring an extension cord for my chargers so I can use phone while it's charging. Sometimes they don't allow that, but usually they're fine.
Best of luck!
Posted 1/17/2015 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
I always brought my own thing of hand sanitizer to keep on the table by my bed. It was incredibly helpful after my first surgery when I wasn't getting up out of bed much those first few days but still learning to empty the bag, etc.
Posted 1/17/2015 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Honestly you don't need to bring much. Almost everything is provided for you.

I brought:
zip-up sweatshirt (doing laps around the hospital gets cold!!)
fuzzy thrown blanket
two stuffed animals
cell phone & charger
tablet & charger
slipper socks with grippies on the bottom
variety of hair ties and clips... since I constantly had bed head, I wanted options for when people stopped by - headbands are amazing.
magazines/books... though with cable tv (since I don't have it at home) I barely touched my reading material or puzzle books.



I wore home the same clothes I wore in to the hospital, since I was only in them for an hour before I was in a gown.



good luck!
Posted 1/17/2015 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Katie, you don't need to bring much with you but it really depends on the hospital that you at staying at. I stopped by the hospital floor after my final pre-op with the surgeon to find out what I really needed to bring with me.

They provided me with eye masks, ear plugs, robe, underwear, lip balm, socks with grips on the bottom. During my final surgery last Summer they were just starting to provide IPads.

The only things that I needed were my phone charger, headphones and clothes for the ride home.

If your hospital provides a fridge in your room then I'd recommend bringing some food with you because the hospital that I stayed at had the worst food that I've ever had in my life.

You may want to bring a credit card and some cash with you so you can go to the vending machines and cafeteria when your healthy enough.
Posted 1/17/2015 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
You may want to bring a small pillow with you for the car ride home. I used it for under my seat belt because my abdomin was too sore to wear the seat belt.
Posted 1/17/2015 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Serial flusher, I was bumped back to February due to a medication and I guess Secretary error. So i am behind you. Good luck this week. Looking to hear from you.
Posted 1/18/2015 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Make sure you bring long cords for your chargers, or an extension cord. There are never enough outlets and they're never near the bed. A good squeeze pillow for walking and for the ride home. Your own toiletries too.
Posted 1/18/2015 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of the advice! Starting my prep later tonight to get a jump start on it. I'm also going to be blogging bedside (if I'm up for it of course) as this will be part of my launch story for my new fundraising website. I hope to be a supporting sponsor of this forum in the near future as well. :)
Posted 1/18/2015 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Is this your first step, or a one-step procedure? If the latter, I'd also recommend bringing a big box of soft flush able wipes and some barrier cream (ilex, Calmoseptine) so you can start protecting tushy skin early. :-)
Posted 1/19/2015 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
This is my first step of a two step procedure. I'll definitely heed your advice on the cream.
Posted 1/19/2015 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
This list is awesome!

I'm having my surgeries the 27th, so this is a huge help!!

Good luck to you Serialflusher with your surgery! Will be keeping you in my prayers and sending lots of positive thoughts your way!
Posted 1/23/2015 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Just a quick update, I passed the surgery with flying colors on Tuesday and today I feel great (albeit under oxycodone) and last night I slept through the night for the first time in three years. As everyone says, why didn't I do this sooner? I'm still getting use to the stoma and have yet to actually change the bag though emptying doesn't bother me.

I'm anxious to get back to normalcy and looking forward to going home tomorrow. JP drain and stoma stint coming out today as well. That's all for now and Happy Friday!

Post Edited (Serialflusher) : 1/23/2015 1:18:16 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/23/2015 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on a successful surgery. Remember that you need to be patient with yourself and not do too much too quickly, your body will need time to heal.
Posted 1/24/2015 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi serial flusher,
Congratulations on the surgery going well. And for sleeping through the night.
I am about a month behind because my surgeon postponed it to mid February.
Happy for you and thank you for the update. Keep on feeling good.
k
Posted 1/24/2015 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
wow, I missed the ball on this thread! But great news that you feel so well! Hope whatever you did wind up bringing with you is just what you need. Keep healing! Sleeping thru the night is a truly wonderful thing...
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