What do I take to the Hospital

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H

Harmony

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2005
Messages
145
Location
New York, NY
If I keep my courage up I will have minimal evasive Mitral Valve surgery on 11/18 at NYU Medical center by Dr. Galloway. They told me to bring as little as possible of personal items with me. This is difficult. I wear glasses or contact lenses. I guess I need tooth brush and tooth paste body lotion and other stuff that I can not think of now. I also have a problem in that I need to have my pocket book with me to keep money and keys. I have no family or friends I would trust to bring these things to me, so I will have to talk to someone on my surgeons staff about where to keep these things. What I would like to know is what do I take to the hospital. There was an article here several years ago on this but I can not find it. I do remember something in the article about bras, as I am having a side incision I dont think this matters. Thank you for any help
 
I know we have a long thread on this in pre-surgery 'somewhere'.
I remembered saying ear plugs and if you are worried about theft,
maybe a CD player instead of mp3. It gets loud in hospitals and
ambient or meditation music helps alot.
Re theft, bring one of those small wallet-purses,to keep $$,ID,credit cards,
don't bring jewelry or anything not really needed. You can take the wallet
with you to tests ,but not for surgery--give it to an R.N. to hold,or they may
have a locker.
Also I wore extra-large short sleeve t-shirts. If you want to wear your
own clothes they need to be extra baggy because of all the wires,monitors,
and I.V.'s.
Baby wipes is also a good idea,along with antibacterial hand gel.

There is SO much more ,but this is what was important to me.
Best wishes-Dina:)
 
Did a search on 'earplugs' and a post came up called "What to take to the Hospital-a checklist"
and its a sticky too:) The thread starter is hensylee on Oct 19,2005.
There are several pages of info here.
 
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Harmony........

I read the long list of things to bring to the hospital before I went for my second OHS in February. I had my first four years prior and arrived at Mass General in an ambulance. I had almost nothing with me, of course, and did fine. My DH would have brought anything I needed or wanted. I needed almost nothing.

This is honest to goodness list of the things I brought for my second and I used most of it. There was nothing else I had any use for and I had people to bring for me if I wanted.

I needed:

toothpaste and brush
hairbrush
deoderant
reading glasses
chapstick
cellphone and charger
slippers
pencil/pen/paper to jot down questions for doctor etc

I stuck some cash in pocket of my coat/zipper pocket of my small duffel/pocket of slacks I wore to the hospital. ($10 here and there. I never used it as I didn't care about having TV. That would have been the only thing to need cash for in my case.) Some people say hairdresser and/or massage therapist was availabe on their floor if they wished and they had to pay cash. I didn't need or want those services.

I brought a paperback book but could never concentrate and never wore the robe I brought.

The hospital will provide you with everything you need.
Wear the hospital gown as it has pocket in which to put the monitor. Wear a second gown backwards if necessary as a robe. Mass General had 'johnny robes'.

If you wish to bring your pocketbook, it can be locked up by the nurses while you are in surgery, ICU and unable to have it safely with you. Do not bring valuables. They are almost guaranteed to disappear accidentally.

Hope this helps. I'm a middle aged woman and am used to lugging my big pocket book and need all my 'things' with me. I never learned to travel light. You won't need that 'stuff' in the hospital.

Choose carefully what you wear to the hospital as that is what you wear home. Wear loose slacks/jeans and top that is easy on/off. I was not able to wear my normal underwire bra after both my surgeries. I was SO grateful I found Barely There Microfiber seamless Crop tops to wear as bras. They are lightweight, stretchy, no hooks and pull on and off with no reaching/stretching. They gave support comfortably and I wore it home from the hospital very comfortably. If you are all 'endowed' they suggest wearing support so weight does not pull on your incision while it is healing. You can find them at www.onehanesplace.com. Item No. 898NP and cost $7.49 ea. This company is dependable and I have ordered from them a number of times....various merchandise. This may not be helpful for you, Harmony, but maybe someone else with a sternal incision. I don't know how your regular bra will feel over a side incision. I think this stretchy, soft, lightweight might be good for you, as well.
 
Harmony, as you said, check with your surgeon/or hospital--may have lockers for patients who have no family accompanying them!

Phyllis included the thread you need...from my personal experience, I only used my CD player, ear plugs, (and mirror) of all that I took with me...my hospital provided me with all the basics!

Good luck:)
 
Most hospitals will provide you with the basic toiletries such as toothpaste/toothbrush, baby lotion, shampoo but I ended up taking my own.

Asides from some of the items that others have mentioned, I also packed my blow dryer, a good book & some pajama bottoms to put on when the follie (urine catheter) is removed. And/or if you don't want to mess w/your hair, you might consider cutting it shorter or having it permed to make it easier on yourself. Believe me though, for the first few days, appearance is not going to matter much!

Best of luck to you; you're in my prayers! :)
 
I took a suitcase full of all kinds of things, most of which I never even touched. What I am glad I did take were my own toiletries and a blow dryer to dry my hair when I was finally able to shower. My own pj's didn't work because I had to keep my chest tubes in until the day before I left (they also left the follie in that long as well because I had so many things to carry into the bathroom it was impossible for me to get there in time). I had no ability to concentrate on a book, or movies, or music. Even though I took ear plugs, I found I didn't need them. I was too out of it in ICU to be bothered by any noise and I had a private room that was very quiet when I was moved to the floor.

If you don't have someone who is available to bring you things you may need, I would probably pack it all and that way you'll have it if you need it.

Good luck to you.

Kim
 
ipod.........hospitals are noisy especially at night. You`ll need very little the 1st few days.Had my wife bring me a few things once I was moved to the "Step-Down" ward.
 
Thank all of you for the answers to what to take to the hospital. I have a few questions. Why would I take a hair dryer. Am I going to be able to take a shower or wash my hair? I believe I will be in hospital 5 days of which 2 or maybe 3 will be in ICU. Why do I want short sleeve tee shirts. When would I wear them. Also why would I need larger roomy clothes. Do you swell up from the surgery. Now this is just for the ladies. Bras. I wear wired bras as I am well endowed. What kind of bra should I look for.The surgery is to be minimal evasive where they cut under the right breast bone.
 
They will let you get in the shower after your chest tubes come out...it was the best shower of my life (mine was 7 days later). I would take them up on it if I were you because you will be weak and it was reassuring to me that the nurse was in there with me.

Some people do retain alot of fluid after the surgery. However, most hospitals make you lose most of it before they will let you leave. But, if you wear your clothes on the tight side, you may find them too tight when leaving.

I skipped the bra altogether when leaving the hospital. It just wasn't comfortable until I was about 2-3 weeks post op. I'm not small chested, but didn't really care! I layered clothes anyway because it was cold when I left the hospital. If you feel you need to wear one, I would probably skip the underwire and go for a sports bra type. I had a full sternotomy though, I'm sure someone who had minimally invasive can answer if a bra was a problem for them.

I don't know about the t-shirts. I just found that the hospital gowns made the most sense. They have a pocket and holes for all the wires and monitors. Some people can't wait to get their own pj's on....I just didn't care.

Kim
 
Truely,,,you do not NEED to take anything. You are going to be far to busy to even think about THINGS. When you feel the need to brush your teeth,the hospital will supply that. I also had the mini invasive,,,do not even think about a bra for at least a month,,then maybe a large sports bra.
You have my best wishes,,you will be strong,,you will be fine.
 
Harmony said:
Thank all of you for the answers to what to take to the hospital. I have a few questions. Why would I take a hair dryer. Am I going to be able to take a shower or wash my hair? I believe I will be in hospital 5 days of which 2 or maybe 3 will be in ICU. Why do I want short sleeve tee shirts. When would I wear them. Also why would I need larger roomy clothes. Do you swell up from the surgery. Now this is just for the ladies. Bras. I wear wired bras as I am well endowed. What kind of bra should I look for.The surgery is to be minimal evasive where they cut under the right breast bone.
Click to expand...


Harmony,

Both my surgeries, I took several showers in the hospital and was able to wash my hair. My hair is short and has a little natural body so all I did was use my round brush and let it room dry. It was presentable. I didn't want to bother with a dryer and some people find it hard to raise their arms.

In my previous post, I wrote this paragraph about bra suggestion. I was not comfortable going without a bra and I was advised not to. If you are a little endowed, it isn't a good idea for the weight to pull on your incision. You said you are having a side incision....maybe that is different.

This is from my previous post in this thread.

Choose carefully what you wear to the hospital as that is what you wear home. Wear loose slacks/jeans and top that is easy on/off. I was not able to wear my normal underwire bra after both my surgeries. I was SO grateful I found Barely There Microfiber seamless Crop tops to wear as bras. They are lightweight, stretchy, no hooks and pull on and off with no reaching/stretching. They gave support comfortably and I wore it home from the hospital very comfortably. If you are all 'endowed' they suggest wearing support so weight does not pull on your incision while it is healing. You can find them at www.onehanesplace.com. Item No. 898NP and cost $7.49 ea. This company is dependable and I have ordered from them a number of times....various merchandise. This may not be helpful for you, Harmony, but maybe someone else with a sternal incision. I don't know how your regular bra will feel over a side incision. I think this stretchy, soft, lightweight might be good for you, as well.
Click to expand...

I gained about 14 pounds during my first surgery and 17 my second. It is all the water they use with the heart /lung machine. I lost it while in the hospital but still felt a little bloted. I didn't want any tight clothing for the first days I was home.
 
Harmony said:
Thank all of you for the answers to what to take to the hospital. I have a few questions. Why would I take a hair dryer. Am I going to be able to take a shower or wash my hair? I believe I will be in hospital 5 days of which 2 or maybe 3 will be in ICU. Why do I want short sleeve tee shirts. When would I wear them. Also why would I need larger roomy clothes. Do you swell up from the surgery. Now this is just for the ladies. Bras. I wear wired bras as I am well endowed. What kind of bra should I look for.The surgery is to be minimal evasive where they cut under the right breast bone.
Click to expand...

I was in the hospital for 2 weeks,because I had some complications.
The reason I mention T-shirts is because I am uncomfortable in the
hospital gowns;the tie in the back pulls on my neck and the whole
gown feels like its wrapped around,crooked and tugging on me. The
staff were always complaining about me not wearing their 'gear'.
It needs to be large-not because of swelling-but because of all of
the cardiac-monitor wires,I,V tubing, and a quick access to you in
case of an emergency.
The best brs for me was the sports bras,they are comfortable and
stretchy enough to allow wires,etc,etc.

Kim(and others) are right about not being able to listen to music and read or
focus on anything before the surgery,but I found that meditation
or ambient music was relaxing. But after surgery you may want a book,
or T.V.
I had to share a room with 1 lady,but she had noisy vistors,I wasn't as
lucky as Kim.

I wish you all the best and many prayers-Dina:)
 
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Harmony said:
Thank all of you for the answers to what to take to the hospital. I have a few questions. Why would I take a hair dryer. Am I going to be able to take a shower or wash my hair? I believe I will be in hospital 5 days of which 2 or maybe 3 will be in ICU. Why do I want short sleeve tee shirts. When would I wear them. Also why would I need larger roomy clothes. Do you swell up from the surgery. Now this is just for the ladies. Bras. I wear wired bras as I am well endowed. What kind of bra should I look for.The surgery is to be minimal evasive where they cut under the right breast bone.
Click to expand...

I`ve had very long hair most of my adult life and on the day before the surgery I got it cut about as short as I`ve had it any time in my life. You`ll get to shower on about the 3rd or 4th day or whenever they remove all the tubes........it will be the best shower of your life. As for the bras........welp I can`t help you there.:D
 
I also cut my hair shorter.....just under my ears. There was NO way I could hold a hair dryer.
It was the second week before I got a shower since I had problems.
I rented a TV just for the distraction.
Hubby and I played some cards; but when I tried to organize a poker game in my wing, the nurses frowned on the using of pills as poker chips.
 
Harmony:

I didn't take my hair dryer and wish I had. (Seems I had some remnants of dried blood on my scalp.) I was never told if I could take a shower, so I didn't while in the hospital. The nurses did not give me sponge baths -- my husband had to. (One criticism I have of the nursing staff while I was in the hospital -- lack of info on what I could/couldn't do and I felt pretty crappy as it was.)

I would definitely recommend getting your hair at least trimmed pre-op.
I had longish hair when I had my surgery. My mom took me to a salon the day after I got out so I could get my hair washed. After that, I washed it myself when I showered, but I had a problem raising my arms to blow-dry it.
Not long afterward, I had it cut short and have kept it short since then.
 
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