What to bring???

I thought I would need all kinds of things, such as makeup and such. After being beat up in the OR I couldn't have cared less what I looked like! I also found that my modesty went by the wayside. I walked the halls with just my beautiful hospital gown and castle-issued socks with rubber grippers on the bottom. No bra for three days. I never touched a hairbrush or any makeup. My tummy pillow, gasX, my own bed pillow, and wonderful DH were all I needed from home. Oh...my toothbrush was important too, but I took a "vacation" from flossing. Boy did I feel guilty about that, because I'm a registered dental hygienist! Best of luck for an uneventful surgery and recovery!

MB

It has been a while on this post but I thought would continue it because it was very helpful to me and now that I am 8 weeks post-op & doing so much better now I would share with my pre-op sisters what was the most helpful for me: These were the most used & needed:

Lip Balm to put on just before going in to surgey so your lips aren't dried out in recovery

Mints to help the dry throught after the throat tube is removed.

A Water Bottle (like bicyclists use) so you don't spill water in the bed when you doze off while it's in your hand. Those cups they have arn't the best and spill easy.

**** A BACK BRUSH***--THIS WAS THE MOST WONDERFUL THING!( you know like you use in the shower with the soft bristles) Works wonderful for back scrathing but most importantly scratching itchy sweating legs in the middle of the night ecspecially if they put those inflatable bags on your legs that they do to help with your circulation) -- it also helps you on your first shower. I can't tell you how wonderful it was when I itched at in the middle of the night it was heaven! Morphine made me itch alot all over so this was my salvation.

Silk PJ Pants- For easy sliding

Comfortable House Slippers

Sleep Mask & Ear Plug to sleep when you fnally can & people are coming in & out (you won't see or hear them)

Small Tummy Pillow -(to support your tummy when coughing)

Fanny pak to put on the side of the bed for little things.

For me one of the biggest was pads! The hospital only has those awful maternity pads that need a belt to stay in place. I also packed several pairs of undies ~ ya know those full backed, butt coverin' ones that nobody knows you own!
I've been told that the sisters that had an abdominal hyst didn't bleed therefore didn't need pads. But with a TVH or LAVH I think most women I've talked to needed them at least for a little while.

I have to agree with "cncwillborn" those pads suck! You know, i didn't go all out to bring much. I left with the same clothes i had on when i got there. Lets see...chapstick, a great book because you can only watch the 8 channels that they do have so many times. The one thing that i didn't think of was my pillow. "Geez" Why didn't i think of that? Ok...let me think...man i didn't bring much did i.(plus they usually supply you with alot of things) I did bring some makeup items only because i hate looking bad no matter how bad i feel. Rubberband for your hair so you can keep it out of your way. That's pretty much all i brought. Just bring stuff that you would enjoy to have if you were at home having to stay in bed. Don't forget the chapstick. So weird, i never use it. And the fist thing my best friend brought me was a tube. I swear that one of the doctors stuck a sponge in my mouth wile i was under. I coudn't even talk. My lips couldn't even move. You will remember me for that one. You will do great. Just be comfortable. K

Let us know how you did,
Sara Churney

I'm only halfway packed for tomorrows big trip to the castle. I'm so glad that this subject was posted at this time! I bought myself a silky pair of p.j.s (1 size larger than I normally wear) and a new robe just for the occassion. I need to wash my dh's fanny pack (what a great idea!) and get some hard candy. Other than that, I seem to have everything else on the various lists. I bought some pads but didn't think about bringing them to the castle with me, so into the bag they go! Thanks ladies. So much of what we go through concerning our surgeries (and the outcome!), is out of our control. This makes me feel like I have some say in the situation and how much more comfortable I can make the experience for myself!

Jennifer