What to pack

I thought I was all set, and now I'm wondering - do I really need granny panties? I don't have any - should I buy some?

I bought a couple of short gowns (not quite so ugly as hospital gowns). I've had a few surgeries and know that I just feel much better if I can wear my own starting with the day after surgery.

I bought some books - for hospital and home.

Slippers

Pads

Notebook and pen

Cell phone (free long distance to family)

Body pillow

Is there anything important that I'm missing?

Hi Kathryn!

All I took to the hospital was: slippers, gown, robe, bikini panties(because that is all I wear), bra and of course clothes to go home in. I did not wear any panties after surgery and through the first night. They just had me lay on a pad. I was to sick to be moved. The next morning I wore their stretchy panties which worked just fine. On the third day when I got to go home I wore my own panties home. Of course I took hairbrush, toothbrush. They will give you call of that too. I hope this helps and if you have any other questions feel free to email me. My surgery was 3 weeks and 4 days ago. Good luck to you and take care.

(((Kathryn))))))),

cough drops (very dry and/or sore throat post op)

Deoderant. T. brush, T.Paste , hair brush/comb

Hand lotion,( even my skin was dry post op)

I did use white cotton briefs 1 size larger for 6 weeks. AHHHHHHH

Bikinis hit the bikini incision exactly (OWWWWWWW)

Best wishes,

Pamcat

yes you most definately will need granny panties......especially if you are having a bikini line incision. You will not want the band of your panties rubbing that incision. The band most definately must come up to your waist. Of course this is just my humble opinion. I am almost 4 weeks post op and i am still wearing the granny panties I bought b4 surgery.

the rest of your list sounds great!! good luck! i'll keep you in my prayers.


Christiei1

There is a list of things under the Pre-Op hints from the Pull-down menu. Most hospitals have a no cell phone policy. Be sure to watch for that. You can get prepaid phone cards that are much cheaper than using the one from your own phone company. I ate mints like crazy. The medicine left a weird tast in my mouth. I preferred bikini panties. The granny panties actually got caught in the steri-strips. The bikini's were small enough to be under my nice bikini-line incision! I was lucky enough though to not have any bleeding at all. Wouldn't have been practical then. Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice from all of you.

I am scheduled for a TVH - hopefully. I may need a TAH and/or BSO. I had to sign permission for all. I had a previoius surgery with the bikini line cut - all the way from one ovary to the other. II had forgotten about those "stretchy" panties - I got them from the hospital with my prior surgery. Maybe I should see if they still use them, just in case I need them.

I forgot to list toothbrush, hairbrush, etc. because those just always go with me whenever I am away from home.

Past surgeries I have used ice chips to ward off the sore throat from intubation. But, maybe it would be a good idea to have cough drops along just in case.

I figure I'll just wear a loose sundress to/from.

Hi Kathryn :-)

I packed and used:


bathrobe
slippers
toothbrush, paste
face soap
deodorant
pads and pantiliners
throat drops (I had hayfever throat tickles and didn't want to cough) YOUCH! I used alot of them.
puzzle books and pen

I didn't use my nightgown, had IV for couple days and just didn't care the first day if Johnnie was hanging off my shoulders.

DH made sure it was tied on day 2-3

I also didn't take my cell phone because I wasn't sure about hospital regulations, some of them won't let you use them on hospital grounds (interferes with pacemakers I think)

Sending good wishes to you for a successful surgery and speedy recovery

Lorrie

Hi again Kathryn -

forgot to mention about the grannie panties.

I got some of the "thigh high" cut briefs a size larger than I would normally wear and they are working wonderful.

I had a swelly belly of a 4 month pregnancy before surgery and about the same after, but within a week alot of the swelling was gone, so I guess it depends on your body.

Good luck again

Lorrie

Hey There!!
Hope you don't mind me adding my I just redid my underwear drawer and found the granny panties I had purchased preop at Walmart. I took them with me but never needed them. I had a catheter in the first night and they just had a pad under me for the discharge. I took a shower as soon as they took that out the next morning and I put on my regular panties with a pad.
I had a TVH and never really had a big problem with swelly belly...just a tad puffy toward the end of the day but could wear my regular panties and things. Matter of fact it was a pleasure to go thru my panty drawer once I got released from my DR and headed to the mall to Victoria Secret for their cotton printed panties....thigh high cover but makes you feel nice....bought some colored bras to match....
Good luck and I pray you just end up with the TVH...you have been thru enough already....How long are you going to be in? I was out in 24 hours....Ahh to sleep in my own bed....
Take care and God bless,

lilly