what do I take to the hospital?

Scheduled for TAH in two weeks - what do I take? I know i should take some granny panties but should I take a nightgown or tops and bottoms? Should I take a robe, what kind of cosmetics and will I get to take a shower ? My doc says they will shave me there but no enema! thank god for that! Plus she doesn't put a catheter in - she wants all of her patients up and peeing the same day! Can anyone help?

Emkayel, Here is a URL for a Great list. It really helped me!!


https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/hsa...hp?s=&id=96849


Good Luck!!

I took a knee length cotton nightgown , a robe and slippers for walking the halls. I took underwear but didn't need them at the hospital.
The best thing for me that I took was a small cd player with headphones and several relaxing CD's.
At pre-op they told me that even though the hospital has a few hairdryers it would be best to take your own along with travel size bottle of shampoo and conditioner. I took a shower and washed my hair the day after surgery. I had a small amonunt of cosmetics such as mascara, eyeliner and a compact with powder. I felt more "human" when I brushed my hair and fixed make up just a little.
I put a few baby wipes in a sandwhich bag to wipe off my face the 1st day when still hooked to IV and not caring to get up yet.
Best wishes to you.
I am 2 wks. post-op and it was no where near as bad as I thought and worried it would be in the weeks before I went in for surgery and was a nervous wreck!
Best Wishes to you

I'm taking:

Warm, fuzzy socks
1 trashy magazine (like the Enquirer)
Shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, baby powder, shower gel (all travel sizes)
Toothbrush
Lip balm
Comb and headband
Oral-B tooth wipes (for when I don't care to lumber to the bathroom to brush my teeth)
A few pads (just in case I find the castle ones too uncomfortable)
Granny undies
Small travel alarm w/lit numbers
Small notebook and pen to take notes in case my memory goes south on me
Fanny pack to clip to the bed
Cell phone and charger (my castle allows them)
CD player and CDs (I'm rethinking this now -- I may nix this. It was too much trouble the last time I was in the hospital)

I'm not taking a nightgown or robe (don't want to stain them) or slippers (socks are easier for me).

Well, I'm all packed and taking the following to the castle. All toiletries are travel sized.

1-comb & brush
2-inhalers each for the suitcase & for the OR per my doctor (for asthma) I can't risk losing one and having nothing
1-book to read to catch up on if I feel like reading
2-cocoa butter lip balm (just in case 1 gets lost)
4-Oral B Brush Ups to use right after I get into my room from recovery (I hate my mouth to be foul)
1-eyeglasses & case (no contacts)--YUK!!! My glasses are thick.
1-satin sleep mask (to block light while trying to sleep)
1-facial beauty soap
1-facial skin astringent
1-toothbrush
1-toothpaste
1-ear plugs (for noise in the room)
1-small ziploc bag of Q-tips, cotton balls and facial wash sponges
1-Listerine
1-Lavendar & Vanilla shower gel
1-Lavendar & Vanilla lotion
1-Lavendar & Vanilla body spray
1-Secret Deodorant
1-shower cap
1-baby powder
1-pair white socks
1-mule terry slippers
2-slip over the head soft flannel gowns & wrap robes to match (I sewed pretty to suit me)
1-dozen of thank you cards & headshots to give to the staff just before I leave the castle
4-size 8 "2 sizes too big for me" white brief Hanes ladies panties (YUK!!!) I'm a thong girl!!!!
1-personal CD player with soothing meditation CDs and extra batteries
8-sanitary napkins (not sure what the castle has will suit me)

Although it's gonna kill me not to wear makeup in public, I'm not wearing or taking any. I think with all that resting and sleeping anyway, make up will get in my way. Plus, I hate makeup in the bed.

I'm truly ready.

I took to the hospital
2 nighties
robe
2 pairs of slippers
2 pair of granny panties
ipod
2 books
toothbrush
sample size shampoo, etc.
a small, soft stuffed bear.
my own pillow

I used
THE SMALL STUFFED BEAR - LOTS
I cannot tell you how helpful it was, and still is
8 days post surgery. If gave me something to hold over my incision when I got up, when I coughed, when the dreaded gas came traveling through, on the ride home and at home it keeps the cats off my incision!!!

If I had it to do over the only things I would take would have been the bear, toothbrush, shampoo, etc.

I was in the castle only 2 days and slept a great deal of the time.

good luck to you.
Cathy

Gneiss,

Girl, you sound like you are truly ready! I am keeping your list ao I know what to bring as well. I don't know if I will be allowed to shower the next day. But, a girl can hope. I am planning to get my hair highlighted a couple of weeks prior and keep it braided while in the hospital. I think it will be easier since my hair is so long.

Good Luck,

Maria

I forgot to mention in my last post about little gifts for the nurses who take good care of you.

I went to our local way cool candy store got little thank you bags and an assortment of candies for each bag. The nurses that took the best care of me got one at the end of their shift.

Good thing I was only in the castle 2 days because I ran out of treat bags real fast.

left things like thank you notes at home but had my hystersister diary to make notes of people who visited, sent flowers, cards, etc. so I could write the notes when I was feeling a bit better.

Cathy

I am going to take some Milk of Magnesia, night gowns, slippers, socks, robes (2) makeup, I am getting my hair done before I go, I bought a Mushy pillow (filled with beads) for my comfort and swelly belly. Pillow from home, comforter from home, I will have flowers delivered to my room - so they will be there when I wake up! I will wear Depends - because that is what I wore during heavy menstrual periods and they are comfortable and secure. Toiletries, perfumed bath oil, perfume, (I hope I can stand it) My glasses, I will also send myself some (2) get well cards; my Bible and a lot of Faith! A good sense of humor! And I will hope there will be someone I can help, talk to, laugh with even through the pain. My date is 9/16/04 so best wishes to you for a successful surgery!

Thanks to all for your responses to the stuff to take to the hospital. It looks like it is all over the place - from just a toothbrush to a whole suitcase! I will glean through them all and make some decisions.

I am pretty nervous - as so many of you post I think about it all the time - and don't want to burden my friends and family with talk of the "operation" even though it is the biggest thing to happen to me in my 53 years of life!!

Good luck to all of you in the next few weeks!

Maria