After surgery comforts
CityGirlInBurbs
Posts: 14 Member
I'm down to 1 more day before surgery! Any secrets (other than pain meds) that made life right after surgery easier and more comfortable?
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I took too much stuff to the hospital - didn't touch my smart iPad, didn't read any books, in my drugged state I was fine resting and walking. At home, I got to pick the movies I wanted :-)
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Gas strips, and peppermint for nausea.0
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have an extra pillow to hold against your abdomen when coughing, at least for a couple of days. if you have a recliner at home, you may want to sleep in it for a few days after you return home. it will be more comfortable than trying to sleep flat in your bed.0
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My pillow. I have two that I love, and I had one with me at all times after my surgery!
Good luck!0 -
Earplugs!! Those hospitals are loud. I'm so glad I brought them with me. Good luck!! Keep us posted!!0
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Comfy clothes/jammies - I wanted to get up and moving but not in that gown and not without at least a sleep bra. Slippers or flip flops also.0
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After I got home, I used a travel pillow and slept in my comfy chair for a couple of nights, because I tend to toss and turn when I sleep. The travel pillow kept me from becoming a bobblehead :-)0
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I second the tip on the recliner and the pillow for your abdomen. I seriously would not have been able to get up and down out of bed right afterward.0
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In the hospital, I took my laptop and kindle and never pulled either one out. I did use my phone so I could Facetime with my kids who were 2 hours away. My surgeon put an abdominal binder on me postop, and it was AWESOME. Helped me feel very secure and made getting up much easier vs my c/s where I didn't have one 5 years ago. If they don't put one on you, ask for one. Things I was glad I brought: Slippers with a sole (made walking more comfortabe), yoga pants, socks, underwear, and a shelf tank (brought a clean pair for every day), toiletries, and my own pillow (put a patterned pillowcase on it so the nurses know it is yours and your pillow/pillowcase don't go into the hospital laundry).
One of my big regrets is not taking my measurements before going into surgery. I am now, but wish I'd done it before surgery in addition to my weight.0 -
Thanks all! Definitely will bring a pillow now! Down to 14 hours. I'm ready!!!!
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I'm right there with you... 7:15 am!
i'm trying not to over pack: comfy shorts, toiletries, extra pillow, Kindle, extra-long charging cord, gas strips.
Leaving the contacts, and laptop at home.
Any other must-have items?0 -
They give you lip balm, mouthwash, toothbrush soap and towels so go light on the toiletries. I packed my kindle but didn't even pull it out. Gas stops I took but used only when I got home. I did 3 things in the hospital: slept, walked and sipped from med cups. Best of luck to you both. Remember what you feel is so very temporary. You'll be home and on your journey in a blink of an eye.0
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Good luck to @CityGirlInBurbs and @anbrdr today!0
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Comfy pants and shoes/sandals. You will be walking a lot and the track pants I took along with my Birkenstock sandals made walking the floor much more comfortable. I took my IPad to read and an afghan I was working on, but never touched them as if I wasn't walking I was sleeping.0
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Good luck! I'd make sure to have comfy clothes, chapstick, slippers, and a pillow
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I second the loose clothes and comfy shoes. I was quite active right after surgery and it was heavenly when the catheter and IV were removed and I was allowed to put on shorts and a T-shirt rather than the hospital gown I was flashing everyone with! Walk and sip!
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Great call on the chap stick.0
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Great call on the chap stick.0
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In addition to pillow, chapstick, and ear plugs, I was so glad I had a sleep mask. The IV pumps are lighted and I cannot sleep with ANY light on...also you don't get startled from a sound sleep when the night nurse flips on the overhead lights.0
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I didn't get Chapstick from the hospital and was so glad to have it. I brought slippers, but they gave me those socks with rubbery soles, which worked really well! I didn't use much of anything else I brought, except my iPhone. It was a godsend - I played music on it and it really helped drown out all the noise and let me get at least a few minutes of sleep.0
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I'm now 5 days past surgery. Thanks all for your suggestions. I was so glad to have my pillow in the hospital. Although I didn't need it for the ride home. My Dr. gave me a pain pump that kept giving me a local, that was awesome! Has anyone else had one of those, I haven't seen anything written on the forums about it.0
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I had a push button pain pump the first 2 days in the hospital, then switched to oral pain meds when they took my IV out. So glad you're home and I hope your recover continues to be smooth and uneventful.0
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Man, you guys got a pain pump! No fair!
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