Question:
Should one bring clothing with them to the hsopital?
I've read about bringing PJ's or a robe, or a pair of sweats, but should we bring changes of clothing? Don't we have to wear the hospital gown while in the hospital? I don't have a robe, and don't want to buy one, is that a smart move, or should I buy one? I can bring a pair of old black velvet sweatpants to wear under the gown, but, I wasn't planning on bringing much else. Are we able to wear underwear after surgery? how about a bra? I forgot to ask all of these questions. Thanks for your help. YOu guys never fail me-too bad not every one is as good as you are. : ) Meghan — Meghan R. (posted on April 12, 2006)
April 12, 2006
Hi Meghan - I wouldn't buy anything new. Just wear something you are
comfortable in - i wouldn't wear a bra. I had surgery 6 months ago and I
don't remember wearing underwear. I wore a large comfy PJ set from roamans
- it was crop pants and a large shirt. The elastic around the waist was
very loose - you don't want anything touching your stomach since you will
have bandages from the poke holes (if lap). Good luck - hope all goes
well. Its the best decision I made. I'm 92.5lbs down now and feeling
great! Best of luck!
Anne Kirsch.
— akirsch
April 12, 2006
Hi Meghan, I'm just 6 days post op and though I thought I packed light --
I hardly used anything I took. I chose to wear the gowns provided (just in
case of leakage or ??)... no bra... no panties even. I wore home the same
loose clothes I wore to the hospital. The only thing I would have been
lost without was my Burts Bees Chap Stick. Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
April 12, 2006
Hi Meghan - I think it comes down to what you are comfortable in. I can't
stand not having underwear so of course I brought that. And like you said I
also brought a loose pair of sweats to wear under the robe, especially for
walking the halls ;o). Unless you are prone to being cold, I don't see a
need for a robe. Good luck!
Kim
— kimmy
April 12, 2006
You don't "have" to wear the hospital gown if you don't want to,
but you will have an IV and it is much easier to get the hospital gowns off
and on (the sleeves usually have snaps). You can also use a second
hospital gown as a robe. I wore the hospital gowns for convenience. I did
pack some clothes to wear home - a tee shirt and some loose, lightweight
stretchy pants with elastic waist. And I did wear panties and a bra. I
personally didn't want anything hanging out, but it just depends on how
comfortable you are. I didn't buy into the sick person role, so I was
actually anxious to get dressed in "real" clothes! I had lap RNY
and went home the second day after surgery, so I didn't take much with me
at all.
— koogy
April 12, 2006
Wear the clothes you arrived in to go home. Use the hospital gowns,
especially if you have a drain tube. Mine leaked and would have gotten my
pajamas all messed up, anyway. I even used the hospital's supply of
toiletries and didn't even open my bag! A good book was helpful and a
magazine, but the first 24 hours was lots of sleeping between vitals being
checked. Had a PCA and loved it.
— LauraA
April 12, 2006
hi Meghan, I took underware cause I got my period. Other than that
everything was provided, You will have an IV until you are ready to go
home, so you won't be able to use your own gown,one thing I do sugest to
bring because you will be sore and can;t reach very far, Bring a back
scratcher, You will be so glad you did.
— momtoall
April 12, 2006
Hello Meghan - I agree w/ above posters. Use the hospital gowns, if there
is a stain the hospital can clean it. I did not wear underwear as it would
"bind" me across the tummy and I wanted that area clear! Don't
pack a robe, use two hospital gowns. I would bring booties or slippers.
If you are particular about your toiletries, bring your own. My LAP RNY
was on a Tuesday and I showered Wednesday morning. It felt so good! I
brought the IV into the bathroom w/ me! I did not wear a bra under my
gown....I don't think I could have manuvered it....it took everything I had
to stand up! You can wear the same clothes you wore to the hospital. I
packed the night before and it took me 5 minutes. Best of luck to you!
— Mrs. Crabapple
April 12, 2006
Good luck megan! I took my comfy pj's ..but.. I could only wear the
bottoms.. I had 2 drain tubes and one of tem leaked all the time.. so it
was the hospital gown and my pj bottoms for me! Your gonna do great!
— KimY
April 13, 2006
Wear loose clothing to the hospital and you can wear it home, and also
slide on shoes. Don't bring alot of your own "stuff" from home
because you will only have a very small place to keep it and it could be
stolen or lost, and the hospital isn't responsible for it. Wear the
hospital gowns because yours will get stained and could get cut or torn ,
and the hospital will not do your personal laundry for you. Bring your
chapstick and a hairbrush. I didn't need music or reading literature
because I had the TV and the morphine kept me occupied. Underwear and a
bra depends on how tight they are and how tender you are. Good luck
— goldroses
April 13, 2006
21-22" necklace to hold tubes while showering. Wooden spool to wrap
toilet paper around to help while going to the bathroom.
— tweazee
April 13, 2006
Use the gowns and stuff, means a few less things to have to wash when you
get home, no bra, no panties..the last thing I wanted to do was to try and
wrestle grannie panties will also trying not to... trip on the IV, let the
tubes fall in the toilet, wipe your but, let your gown fall in the toilet
and the actual act of sitting down and getting back up...talk about a bit
of "envy" for the male plumbing system!!
I had an open VBG and wore a binder for the first couple of weeks...was a
godsend..had to travel about 10 hours to get home!!
— staceymae
April 14, 2006
Depends on how long you will be in the hosp. I brought all kinds of crap
when i had surgery and hardly used any of it. You will probably have a
gown on for IV for a while anyway. Maybe if you wanna wear loose fitting
pj bottoms, but i would not worry about a robe, you can always wear another
gown backwards if you walk in the halls ,etc.
— Kimberly Felan
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