Guest guest Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 I would say wear a mumou to the hospital and you can wear it home it is loose and comfy. and will never wear it again. bring a book just in case. I didn't read mine but maybe you will. bring a pair of slippers I wish I did.bring your necesessities(brush/toothbrush)I'm glad I did that first day I had a bad case of jungle breath. If you have a cell phone bring it so you can check in with all your friends. hope this has helped. some say bring a pair of tongs to help incase you cant reach your bum but I didn't go untill I was home anyway. Elaina 1/16/03 -125 > Hi all...I had posted this a few days ago but got only one response. > I have about 19 days and am looking for any help on what to pack. > Please post can you let me know of things you did pack and things you > wished you packed. Thank you! > > > Hi everyone!! I am gettin myself prepared for surgery and a thought > came over me, what do I need to pack??? For all you post ops could > you please tell me the things you brought down to SD with you? I know > of a few things but not sure of all. So any insight would be great. > Also if you coul dgive me any advice for my trip down there would be > greatly appreciated...I am sooo excited but sooooooo nervous. Thank > you all for your support & friendships. > > > 12/9/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 I would say wear a mumou to the hospital and you can wear it home it is loose and comfy. and will never wear it again. bring a book just in case. I didn't read mine but maybe you will. bring a pair of slippers I wish I did.bring your necesessities(brush/toothbrush)I'm glad I did that first day I had a bad case of jungle breath. If you have a cell phone bring it so you can check in with all your friends. hope this has helped. some say bring a pair of tongs to help incase you cant reach your bum but I didn't go untill I was home anyway. Elaina 1/16/03 -125 > Hi all...I had posted this a few days ago but got only one response. > I have about 19 days and am looking for any help on what to pack. > Please post can you let me know of things you did pack and things you > wished you packed. Thank you! > > > Hi everyone!! I am gettin myself prepared for surgery and a thought > came over me, what do I need to pack??? For all you post ops could > you please tell me the things you brought down to SD with you? I know > of a few things but not sure of all. So any insight would be great. > Also if you coul dgive me any advice for my trip down there would be > greatly appreciated...I am sooo excited but sooooooo nervous. Thank > you all for your support & friendships. > > > 12/9/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 , I really only packed slippers,and a robe and to tell the truth i never used ether. The hospital had every thing I needed. I was only there three nights. I felt so bad that i did not even shower. i was in alot of pain. I had bring me a dress (moomoo) to go home in. I wanted nothing binding on me. Hope this helps Shell > Hi all...I had posted this a few days ago but got only one response. > I have about 19 days and am looking for any help on what to pack. > Please post can you let me know of things you did pack and things you > wished you packed. Thank you! > > > Hi everyone!! I am gettin myself prepared for surgery and a thought > came over me, what do I need to pack??? For all you post ops could > you please tell me the things you brought down to SD with you? I know > of a few things but not sure of all. So any insight would be great. > Also if you coul dgive me any advice for my trip down there would be > greatly appreciated...I am sooo excited but sooooooo nervous. Thank > you all for your support & friendships. > > > 12/9/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 Hi ! Sorry I did not respond to your earlier post - it's been a crazy week, and I think when I saw that one person had responded I figured that more had as well, and I didn't want to do a lot of repeats! Okay . . . here's what I took that I felt was "necessary": * SUPPORT PERSON (although it is possible to do this trip alone) * Bathrobe * Slip-on slippers with grippy bottoms * Book, notebook/journal, walkman/portable CD player * Loose clothing * Deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and any amenities you are picky about!! (The hospital can provide you with a generic toothbrush/toothpaste, shampoo but not conditioner, soap, mouthwash, comb, spit tray. The hotel will cover the basic hotel amenities.) * Electric hand-mixer The hospital can/will provide you with socks w/grippy bottoms, but some people have trouble getting them on after surgery. Some people recommend you take a wooden spoon for that tough-to-reach potty-wiping, but I did not need one. I took one just to be on the safe side though! And PB recommends you bring a bra 1 size larger than what you wear. Personally, I didn't wear a bra the whole time I was there and didn't feel it was worth my money to buy a bra that was too big! There are a lot of things that you can just buy while you're down there rather than buying them here and transporting them. For example, they do have grocery stores in San Diego, so don't feel like you need to stock up on and pack sugar-free Jell-O, s/f popsicles, cans of chicken broth, etc. If you are staying at Somerset Suites, there's a Sav-On Drugs (I think that's what it's called) about 2 blocks away, or there's an Albertson's just a short drive away. Also, there is a pharmacy (I think it's called Friendly Pharmacy) in the same building that PB's offices are in - it's on the ground floor to the left of the main building entrance. They carry single-serving protein packets. Also, I'm pretty sure there's a Trader Joe's and/or a GNC not too far away where you could pick up some cans of liquid protein or some single-serving packets. Is someone going with you? If so, then they can be your errand-person while you're in the hospital for things you'll need when you get out. I hope I didn't forget anything. One thing I did (and I always do it) is over-pack!! I took 3 books, CDs I hadn't listened to in years, and 2 journals. Take one book. If you finish it and are dying to read something else, there are a few bookstores a short walk away (I'm pretty sure there are 2 used bookstores, but I wouldn't swear to it - I know there is at least one). Oh! Take some spending money if you can!! There are some cute shops down there and you might be able to do some early Christmas shopping if you've got someone who will be carrying your bags for you! I know it sounds goofy since you're going for major surgery, but I had my surgery last March and came home with a couple small things I've been saving for Christmas!! lol! I hope this helps somewhat!! Good luck - you'll be in my thoughts & prayers! Hugs, Jen wrote: Hi all...I had posted this a few days ago but got only one response. I have about 19 days and am looking for any help on what to pack. Please post can you let me know of things you did pack and things you wished you packed. Thank you! Hi everyone!! I am gettin myself prepared for surgery and a thought came over me, what do I need to pack??? For all you post ops could you please tell me the things you brought down to SD with you? I know of a few things but not sure of all. So any insight would be great. Also if you coul dgive me any advice for my trip down there would be greatly appreciated...I am sooo excited but sooooooo nervous. Thank you all for your support & friendships. 12/9/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 Hi , I took a light robe with me, a pillow and some sanitary pads. That was about it. As Shell said they do have just about everything there. I took the pads because of the blood thinners that they give you after surgery to prevent blood clots. Sometimes you can get you period after surgery. I got mine the very next day. I couldn't use a bra because the incision was very high. Loose clothing to travel in is the best. The pillow helps when you have to cough. Good luck, Ramona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 Hey Jen thanks soooo much! As the date gets closer and closer the more freaked out I am getting. I know that's probably normal. It's so funny how now that I am having surgery that I see people that are getting or had it done. My daughters friends Mom just had it done in Pleasaton at Valley Care 3 weeks ago. Got a lot of good input from her. I am so excited but terrified at the same time. I am so glad we have this support group. It really does help. The information I get on here is priceless. I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly. How did you feel for the first month after? How was drinking water? I know a lot of people said getting water in is not only difficult but sometimes can make you sick. Anywho..hehe...thanks again for the info...oh did you have to get a stomach binder or was that supplied? Thanks again > > > Hi all...I had posted this a few days ago but got only one response. > > I have about 19 days and am looking for any help on what to pack. > > Please post can you let me know of things you did pack and things you > > wished you packed. Thank you! > > > > > > Hi everyone!! I am gettin myself prepared for surgery and a thought > > came over me, what do I need to pack??? For all you post ops could > > you please tell me the things you brought down to SD with you? I know > > of a few things but not sure of all. So any insight would be great. > > Also if you coul dgive me any advice for my trip down there would be > > greatly appreciated...I am sooo excited but sooooooo nervous. Thank > > you all for your support & friendships. > > > > > > 12/9/03 > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 , I know what you mean about "everybody" getting it or having it! I've been seeing the same chiropractor for 6 years and it turns out that his girlfriend's daughter had it done. Also, whenever he & his girlfriend go down to San Diego, they always stay at Somerset Suites and see tons of other people who've had it done! lol! One of my mom's best friends has been seeing my progress every couple months in person and then my mom gives her updates in between, and she's started talking to her daughter about looking into it. Also . . . I love to talk to people about it!! For example, I've spent a major part of my day at home answering emails to various people. Or I talk to them in person. I'd love to get more time on the phone with people, but my daughter has this annoying habit of being 5 years old and I don't know when the last time was that I had any privacy or quiet during a phone call! lol! As for the abdominal binder . . . PB provides that. You will be measured for one at your pre-op class the day before surgery and you'll be wearing it when you wake up afterwards! It's as easy as that! I was one of the lucky ones who felt great from day 2! There was a bit of nausea my first day, but once I connected it to the morphine and stopped taking it, I really did great. I did lots of walking while I was there, and my husband took me to the zoo (at my insistance)! I never got that tired, exhausted feeling that many people get, and I feel very lucky! I did real well with the liquids while I was in the hospital, since there was really nothing else for me to do! Now that I'm out and expected to drink so much more water, I fall short on most days but not by much. In the beginning, you do need to be very careful. If you take too big a sip, it will come back up! Try not to get last-minute jitters, but if you do then don't worry about it. It's natural! You'll do great! Hugs, Jen wrote: Hey Jen thanks soooo much! As the date gets closer and closer the more freaked out I am getting. I know that's probably normal. It's so funny how now that I am having surgery that I see people that are getting or had it done. My daughters friends Mom just had it done in Pleasaton at Valley Care 3 weeks ago. Got a lot of good input from her. I am so excited but terrified at the same time. I am so glad we have this support group. It really does help. The information I get on here is priceless. I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly. How did you feel for the first month after? How was drinking water? I know a lot of people said getting water in is not only difficult but sometimes can make you sick. Anywho..hehe...thanks again for the info...oh did you have to get a stomach binder or was that supplied? Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 My favorite item was my robe. You can get by with a hospital gown worn backwards over your gown, but I was glad to have my long robe with pockets -- especially since I was walking around in the halls and ran into lots of patients and visitors. A chapstick, blistex or whatever would be good -- that first day your mouth (and lips) are so dry! I agree about the bra thing. Just plan to wear something loose fitting like a baggy sweatshirt or loose dress. The bra rubs against your incision and hurts! I also agree about slip-on sandals or slippers, so you don't have to bend over to put them on. Some nicely- scented lotion might be comforting to have, too. A pillow to cushion your abdomen on the ride home. (Those bumps are painful!) Try not to be terrified. Nervous is normal. It is a big deal, but so worth it. And drink your water just a sip or two at a time, and sip constantly. The first month was just a slow process of healing, gaining strength, and learning how to take care of myself and my new stomach. Tired a lot of the time, but feeling better and stronger each day. Plan to get a lot of rest, but you will quickly gain energy and feel pretty normal by the end of that first month. Lots of folks even get back to work after 2 weeks -- I went back after 3. I wish the best for you, and for your new healthy life. Elaine 5-19-03 Dr. Park, Richmond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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