It's almost here.... I didn't need much to take the hospital... I wasn't allowed to wear my own pajamas as they needed to look at my incisions several times a day and they explained it was easier for them for me to be in my gown... I honestly could have gone to the hospital in the clothes I was wearing, and came home in the same clothes.... I slept whenever I could, so I didn't need a book or computer.... I wasn't allowed to take a shower and they provided me with a toothbrush and toothpaste.... I did take my own pillow, blanket, and "JOHN BEAR" who goes to the hospital with me always....
I am so shocked at all the prep work so many people have to do... I did not have to do a liquid diet, or any bowel preps, and yes I had RNY....
Keep the faith.... You will be on the bench before you know it, and I will be looking forward to all your posts.... Prayers and hugzzzzzzzzz to you Tam... Kathi

Thanks Kathi I look forward to being on the bench

Wahoo Tami - almost there!!

Don't bother with taking much to the hospital. I took my cell phone and charger, bath robe (don't bother with PJ's with all he IVs they're too much work) to cover my butt when I walked the halls. Tooth brush and toothpaste. I just wore the little socks they gave me, but you might want slippers. I'm fussy about pillows so I took my own. Change of loose fitting clothes to wear home. Don't bother with books, laptops etc. - you'll just want to sleep. Chapstick is a must - your lips get sooo dry.

Just be sure to advocate for yourself and get up and walk as soon as you can - it'll help with the gas pain. I walked over two miles in the hospital - just got myself up whenever I started to feel the gas moving. And don't be shy - toot, toot, toot :)

We'll be thinking about you!!

Diana

You really won't need much. Bring loose fitting clothes and slip on shoes that you can wear home after the surgery. Slippers, lip balm and a hair brush.

Try to get a good nights sleep, it makes a world of difference the day of surgery.

I'm so excited for you. Get ready for the best and most exciting ride of your life.
Shelley :o)

Yeah!!! Good luck to you and let us know how ur doing when u feel up to it. I agre with the ladies, I packed stuff but only used my toothbrush/ toothpaste, face wash, hand sanitizer (mine smelled better than theirs), phone/phone charger, iPad for Internet, brush and face wash. They gave me gowns for front and back coverage, socks and was easier wearing gown instead of pj's. I did bring underwire for after they pulled my urinary cath. The nurses said don't use shower there (they said easier when get home), also every surgeon different, I had no drains or feeding tube and glue instead of staples or sutures outside so I was able to shower as soon as I wanted. Unless u have extended stay, u will sleep/walk/concentrate on sipping and learning as much about how things r supposed to feel u won't have time for books, etc. prayers going ur way!

Hey Tam, PACK LIGHT!! Bring loose comfy outfit, extra panties, shoes that are easy to slip off, THAT'S IT! You won't be up to reading a book, or much else. You will be spending your time resting, walking and that's about it. Thinking of you!!!!!!!!!

Oh and your own pillow, for comfort.

Don't forget a comfy robe. That way you can get your walking in and leave sooner.

Chap stick! You will be so dry. Maybe some slippers and I brought my own lotion. So excited for you! You are on your way!

CONGRATS on making it to this point!!! Save me a spot on the bench!! I am excited for you!!!!!

I'm so excited for you. I'm just getting started on this journey. Let us know how you are when you are able. We will be thinking of you.

thats awesome!! Congrats!! I pray you have a wonderful surgery and a easy recovery :)

I took my own clothes. I was allowed to change into clothes that I wear to bed at home. a short sleeve shirt an shorts. I had a drain in my stomach an it was ok. I took my kindle an charger an cell phone an charger. an a small pillow. I brought my own body wash an deodorant to wash up cause I hate what the hospital offers. an also my own tooth brush an paste. I had my surgery on feb 13th an was there till 16th.

Thank you all for the tips. I am funny about my personal items so I will take just a few of the basic necessities. chapstick, lotion, bodywash, phone and charges and probably my ipad what I don't use I don't use but it will bring me comfort having it near. I flash a lot so I pray those hospital gowns are not too hot - taking one of my own just in case.

So far the liquid diet is going well but you truly don't miss food until you can't have it - duh!!! I have such a tremendous headache. Trying to just rest and not think about it

CHAPSTICK CHAPSTICK CHAPSTICK...this was the ONE thing I wish I had had with me and I am STILL working on these crusty crust lips...I would suggest a mini tub of Vaseline that they sell now...you get super dry in hospital...your cell phone and charger, and a COMFY set of clothes/slippers to ride home in. I arrived in my fav sweats and slippers and left in them too...

the liquid diet shouldn't be too bad since it's just 2 days, I did 3 and by day 3 I was a beast wanting food, and then poof! it was over :)

nerves can be brutal, but cling to our Heavenly Daddy, He has your back...I had my honey take a pic of me to send to my parents just before I was taken into the ER...sitting on my gurney in my lovely blue hospital gown smiling the best "I'm great!" fake smile...so he txt'd it to my folks who couldn't be here for the big day and my dad saw the 2 Angels that have been with me since day 1...I have seen them before and my dad has seen them periodically throughout my life...he knew I was safe...

sorry this note took a trip to a rabbit hole...basically, bring chapstick/lip balm, comfy clothes to arrive and go home in, your cell and charger...and your FAITH!!
xoxo
T