ear plugs. Maybe I would've slept better I never used my Kindle either. Morphine makes it hard to concentrate.

Similarly, I only brought chapstick and my cell phone. I didn't miss anything so that was all I needed. Up until I walked out the door I thought I would bring a book. Glad I didn't, I wouldn't have opened the thing. I was either in surgery, sleep, walking, groggy and then gone (only overnight stay).

I just got home today!!! Yay!!! I took- too much!! Too many books (read about 4 pages), 2 nighties (didn't wear either one, stayed in my sweats), protein supplement that they suggested I take, just to have something I knew I liked, and my info binder (which I never touched).

What I did take that I'm glad I had- my iPod and a good pair of headphones. That was the only way I could sleep the second night. Other than that, 2 loose fitting tee shirts and a couple pair of loose sweats were all I needed. They provided chapstick...

Best wishes to you and if/when the "Oh my God, What did I just do to myself!!" hits, just ignore it! I'm soooooo glad that I had read that on here before I went, because it DID INDEED hit and I knew that it was a normal feeling!!! 48 hours ago, I was being wheeled out of surgery (Wed. at noon), all day Wednesday I couldn't tell you which end was up. I did my walking with 2 lovely nurses and had no idea the next day that it was them. Yesterday, I really tried to get the drinks in, but 4 oz an hour just wasn't in the cards. TAKE THE TIME YOU NEED!!! Although I wanted to go home yesterday, I am SOOOO GLAD that I waited. I am drinking at least 6 oz slowly over the course of an hour and feel pretty damned good!!

I am so freakin' excited now!!!!! I hope you are, too!!

~Emma :flowerforyou:

Loose comfy clothes, slip on shoes, socks and robe for walking in the hallway, cell phone (although I couldn't see it after surgery - side effect of the morphine), kindle to read or listen to music on, chargers for cell phone and kindle, toothbrush, toothpaste hairbrush, chapstick and a pillow to put over stomach on the ride home.

I was only there overnight and didn't feel like doing anything except the required sipping and walking until the following morning. Then I was up and showered (with the help of my mom) by the time the doctor came around to check me and I was released to go home.

Didn't take a pillow for the ride, didn't need pain killers, either. I was there 2 nights .... glad I had my iPad and my iPhone. Wore home what I wore in.

You'll be great! Congrats!

My surgery was May 19th. I brought a night gown (which I had the nurse put on me the following day--I stayed two nights), a robe, slippers, my phone charger and my phone. That was it. I knew I wouldn't want to read anything or do anything. My nurses gave me chapstick so I didn't need to bring that. Oh and my toothpaste and toothbrush. I felt so much more comfortable in my own clothes! My nurses kept the popsicles coming which was always great. I liked the jello and the diet lemonade they gave me but the broth sucked majorly! lol I ate it cause I knew I needed the fluids. Oh and a sleep mask because the hospital room lights are BRIGHT. I know there were times early in the morning when I'd just fallen asleep where I didn't want to be bothered--i just stuck my arm out and let them take the blood pressure and my blood sugar with the mask on because I knew I was heading right back to sleep. lol I wore a loose fitting dress there and I wore it back home.

It may have to do with the tube that is pushed down your throat during surgery. My mom said my surgeon told her that it was difficult to get it down my throat cause I have a small mouth. I think they give it you because your mouth is opened for a long time and your lips are stretched whic can cause chapped lips. Those are just my thoughts. My lip was sore in one spot after surgery . I guess it was because of the tube being taped on lip in that area.

Thanks for your feedback as to why we need the chapstick. I have since learned about the barium test that they do to test for leaks and that we can't really drink anything before that test is done.

I hope everything went well for you and you are already home walking around the whole town!!

Congrats! I was able to go back to work 6 days after, was a little sore but made it through. Each day gets better and better, just be sure to take it easy and don't overdo (because you are feeling better and will want to do more and more).