My tips for the hospital

Here are some tips for what to bring to the hospital and what to remember while you are there:
1. Throat lozenges like Halls honey and lemon. The endotracheal tube that is placed for anesthesia will leave your throat raw and sucking on Halls were a life saver for me!
2. An additional belly pillow. It is difficult to move around and it feels really good to have something bracing your abdomen...especially while trying to cough!
3. Use the Incentive Spirometer every hour! It doesn’t look like it would do much but it really helps your lungs recover after surgery and prevents possibly developing pneumonia due to gunk accumulating in your lung bases. Take it home and use it throughout your recovery!
4. Stretchy high waisted leggings that come up and over the belly really felt great for me! I felt like I had some extra belly support!
5. Don’t try and fight through the pain! Take your pain meds as scheduled by your surgeon. You will be very sore and this is no time to be a super hero The pain meds will help you ambulated better and get you home faster!