Is there "A List" of needed items to take with you?

My surgery is May 29th and I must admit, my brain is a bit foggy (this is on my mind 24/7). It would be great if someone had a "list" of things you will need. Any help will be appreciated

Dear Terri,
Check out the pull down menus on the home page. They are great...I used "what I did right" especially. I would never have thought to pack the way I did or to make my room as comfortable as it was. One of my favorite tips was to have a small cooler right at your bedside so you can have cold juice and/or ice without waiting for someone to fix it for you!!

Thanks LindaJean! I did check out the pull down menus and found some great ideas. One more thing; undies?! Do you need to wear them right after surgery or do they have a cath in you? Questions, Questions, Questions! Thanks so much

Best of luck to you on your upcoming surgery. Stay steady girlfriend!

When you wake up, you'll have a catheter. Once they removed the cath, I really didn't care about underwear until I got home. Then, since my scar is about 2 inches horizontal below my navel, I ended up spliting one side of several pair of underwear so there would be no pressure......so some crotch type cotton wear would be a good idea.

After a couple of weeks, I read somewhere on this board that people were wearing light support type panties. So I got some that were way big to provide light support and go over my belly.....that little extra support is a big help.

Shop for light foods you can get for yourself and keep them at waist level so you don't have to bend and stretch. Microwavable stuff perhaps.

I got some books on tape from the library. When I got home I had a few weeks of sleepless nights and they were helpful. Like having a storyteller in your bedroom. And pillows! Lots of 'em!

Read now as much as you can before your operation. I found there was alot I wasn't expecting. The recovery time is sloooow and long and sometimes discourageing but every day you'll get better. Don't push yourself and don't expect to be walking the block at 2 weeks. Some can but many can't .

Keep reading the boards! There are alot of stupendous people that reply!

You asked about what to take with you to the hospital. You didn't say how long you would be in. I was in one day and out the next. I had a small tote bag. I decided to wear home what I wore in and in the off chance needed jammies, took a light robe, my HysterSister nightshirt and slip on bedroom slippers. They were easier to get on than bending to put on my shoes that I wore in.

As for panties, my hospital gave me a pair of disposable panties after they took the catheter out. I didn't need my own panties until I got home.

The only other things I took I put in a fanny pack: Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and lip balm. What I didn't pack and needed was Lifesavers! You get massive case of dry mouth from anesth. and medications and you can't even make spit. Sucking on a Lifesaver helped create saliva which was really needed.

Oh yeah, I also put in a big can of Almond Roca in my tote for the nurses. They were quite pleased to have it.

Good luck and Hugs,
Miranda

Hi i go to the castle on Thursday
this is what i have packed

3 pair BIG undies
1 pair draw string jammies
1 big night shirt
1 t-shirt
4 pairs socks
1 pair slippers
2 bags life savers
1 bag lemon heads (pucker power)
a crosswords puzzle book
soap digest
journal & pen
wet wipes
deorant
shampoo & condition
turbie twistie hair towel
hair brush
toothbrush&toothpaste
Bath robe

hope this helps
brenda