what should i pack to take to the hospital

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#16 Post by **dubnobass** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:02 am

I only had an overnight stay after my bimax surgery, and I'm in the UK.

I would advise earplugs! Hospitals can be incredibly noisy with all the beeping from monitors, and the noise that other patients make (groaning, talking, watching TV when you want to sleep). Lip balm is essential (Blistex being particularly good as is seems to heal more than other balms).

#17 Post by **Karigan** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:10 pm

Take your mobile phone to the Southern General, I was in 3 weeks ago and they have one pay phone for Ward 62 and that is it. Half the time someone else has got it or it is stuffed full of coins and you can't use it. You can, despite what they say in your wee leaflet, use the mobile in your ward in your bed they don't mind. I didn't take mine and then had to get someone to bring it in.

You can shower when you want but they were not clean in my room. I was in with three other ladies all very nice and had no problems sleeping. Staff are very nice although very busy. You will get all your tests the day before surgery and be seen by the SHO and your anaethetist or one of them. You'll also probably be seen by Koppel if that is who is doing it or one of the team. Waiting for it is the worst part because it depends where you are on the list.

On the day of the op a nurse will come and check everything, make sure you don't have on jewellery etc and put your wee band on your arm and give you your pre-med. When it is time for the op the porters come and get you and you go down to the theatre. I even remember the door code!!!!! Then you will wait and they will double check all your details again and then take you into this wee room and prep for the anaethestic, baically a needle into your hand and stick some things on your chest to monitor your heart. Then you will breath in O2 and they will put in the general anaesthetic and you will be out of it. That is the best bit!!! As you are having a big op I guess they will take you to Intensive Care afterwards and then maybe back to the Ward 62 a few days later. this time I was just in to get the plates removed so I went back to the ward. For my big op I was in intensive care for 2 days so I imagine they'd still do that.

Painkillers and everything they give you, usually morphine and mouthwash post surgery. I'd take your own towel, hospital ones are not good. Take underwear, pjs and all the toiletries you need. You no longer have to wear those paper knickers to surgery!!!!! So take your own underwear! Also take books, IPod or whatever, wouldn't bother with a laptop in there. Also take some goodies to eat the night before you fast, chocolate and crisps I took!!! Believe me you won't eat them after that for a while.

It is a really nice Ward, Ward 62 and you will get on fine, I actually enjoyed being in there!!

#18 Post by **freerideuk** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:18 am

hey Karigan thanks for that post there you really let me know what to expect when i get there

i was planning on taking my fone anyways

3-5 days without txting

i don't think i could manage it lol people would think ad died

and i think all take a feast with me lol i have been eating like crazy the last few days knowing i wont be doing it for ahile and i mean crazy like three course meals for lunch lol

i love having an excuse to eat soo much

xxxxxxxxx

#19 Post by **sauerkraut** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:51 am

I'm out! Just thought I'd let you know I was glad of just about everything on my list. Didn't need writing paper though: certainly didn't feel like writing letters! And if you take a paperback to read make it something nice and mindless. Even Michael Palin was a bit too intellectual for me.

All the best for your op.

#20 Post by **WhiteLurcher** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:51 am

Just to say I woke up in Ward 62 after both my chops, don't think they do Intensive care any more. I agree with everything else Karigan said and it is a nice ward I quite enjoyed it too! I was surprisingly calm throughout the whole thing

Good luck and wish you all the best, see you on the other side!

#21 Post by **Beth85** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:10 am

Hey freerideuk,

I just wanted to wish you all the best for your surgery tomorrow. Hope all goes smoothly for you!

Take care,

Beth xx

#22 Post by **Happysmiler** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:22 am

Hiya Freerideuk

Same here, All the best for your Op tomorrow. Hopefully you are calm and ready to go!? It sounds like you have a great surgeon judging from all the others on this board who have had the same guy.

GOOD LUCK and let us know when you are home and on the mend.

Happy Smiler x

#23 Post by **sweetpea** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:46 am

Good luck Freerideuk, and let us know how you are when you can!

#24 Post by **Rach** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:55 am

Thought I would post to wish you good luck for tommorow!!

Hope all goes well and your recovery is nice and smooth

Post as soon as you can!

Rach

#25 Post by **Mart** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:58 pm

Popped by to wish you well for tomorrow, we'll all be thinking of you!

mart x

#26 Post by **freerideuk** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:28 pm

hey thanks guys for all the well wishes

i hope everything goes well and so far am not nervous or anything still doesn't feel like its happening will probs hit in later on when its bout to happen but all be on as soon as i can afterwards to let you know how it went =]

xxxxxxxxxxx

#27 Post by **ThinK** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:07 pm

Hope it goes well for you, freerideuk!