What I packed in my hospital bag

Last night I packed my hospital bag and I was excited as if I'm packing for a holiday!

I have a feeling I'm taking too much stuff with me. Whenever I have the same feeling while packing for holidays, I don't even touch most of the stuff I take with me and probably this will be the same. But what if I need either one of these things? Better be safe than sorry and I won't be carrying my bag myself anyway ;)

All of these below (except stuff in my hand bag of course) fit in a hand luggage so I'm not taking a full size suitcase or anything!

(Edited to mark what I actually used and some more comments in blue)

Toiletries:
Shampoo, shower gel and sponge (used what I took with my but they provided these in the room anyway)
Hair brush and hair clip/band (used)
Hair dryer (what if they don't have one? I have long hair and don't want to go to surgery with dripping wet hair) (used and glad i took it!)
Deodorant (used on 2nd day and on the way home)
Toothbrush & toothpaste (used)
Dry mouth spray (will try to remember to put this and the lip balm by the bedside) (used a lot!)
Vaseline Aloe Vera lip balm (also have E45 depending on the severity of cracked lips) (used the E45, lips were pretty dry)
Ear plugs (not sure I'll need them but it was recommended before so can't hurt) (did not need as in private room)
Wet wipes (used the 2nd morning to freshen up)
Wet toilet tissue (didn't need)
Tampons (just in case) (didn't need)
Contact lens case & solution (apparently you need to take your contacts out before the op) (used)
Glasses & case (don't think I can put contacts on just after the op but I'd hate to see things blurry - glasses will have to do until I can get up and find a mirror) (used)

Clothes:
Pyjamas (very loose waist for the bottom and short sleeved top) (used and loved it)
Nightie (not sure pyjamas or this will be more comfortable so taking both) (didn't use or like it)
Dressing gown (I am taking a long thin and jersey one to cover my bum while wearing the hospital gown) (used it all the time)
100% cotton pants (x3) and socks (x2) (pants: used one in the op and it's gone in the bin as covered in iodine, changed into second pair after op, then used the third on the 2nd day. socks: only used in second day as I wore anti embolism stockings on the op day)
Soft bra (used it on both days)
Slippers (used it all the time)
Towel (I read hospital towels are tiny, taking my own) (used mine for my body and the hospital one for my hair)
Loose top & trousers to go home in (used)

Other stuff:
Hot water bottle (wasn't allowed to use it as it might cause bleeding, it was ok to use it on my back the next day)
Box of tissues (didn't need, they already provided one)
iPad & charger (husband is taking his laptop too so we have enough entertainment :P) (used it all the time)
Headphones (used it)

Also have these in my handbag:
Purse (did not use or need money)
iPhone (used it all the time)
Hand cream (I get eczema on my fingers when I'm stressed) (didn't need)
Anti bacterial hand gel (used it before i touched my incisions)
First Defense (used it the night before the op as didn't want to risk a cold)
Sunglasses (again, just in case for the journey, eyes too sensitive) (used it on the way to the hospital, it was a sunny day)
A little jewelry box (for my husband to keep my wedding rings in while I'm in surgery, he'd lose them if it's not in a box :P) (used it)
All paperwork and correspondence from provider (just in case) (used it to take a couple of notes on, didn't need to carry with me)
Medicine:
(I've been told that meds will be provided at the hospital and some more to take home but in the documents it says bring all meds with you. Obviously it may mean the meds you're already on rather than those you will be on but it'll be good to check with the nurse what I'm intending to use afterwards anyway.) (did not need painkillers while in the hospital, it was provided)
Soluble paracetamol (they give you one on discharge, no need)
Liquid ibuprofen (not allowed to use for 2 weeks)
Soluble co-codomol (good to buy to use at home)
Bassetts soft & chewy multivitamin and mineral pastilles (taken one on second day)
Windeze, Deflatine and Boots own brand wind relief tablets (lol I know it's overkill but wind pain is what I'm dreading the most and what if one works better than the other?) (been advised Windeze is better and also told to only suck and spit out when about to finish so i dont have to chew it. Later at home i tried all and I find Boots own brand to work better. Yes, I did use them while at the hospital too.)
Peppermint tea (I have to confess I absolutely hate peppermint tea but I'm sure I'll hate wind pain more) (didn't need, they had it at the hospital)
Arnica cream and tablets (to help with bruising - I don't expect to need or use it at the hospital but taking them to check with the nurse) (not the tablets but arnica cream worked wonders on my badly bruised hand after the blood test)

For the car:
Soft blanket and 2 soft pillows for the journey back home (used one pillow on my back, blanket on my knees and legs, other pillow under the seat belt)

Pre-Op Diet - Day 4

I turned my laptop on just a few minutes ago to write here and noticed what day it is, turned to my husband and said: "It's only Day 4!" and he said "What do you mean only day 4, you say yaaaay it's day 4" and added "you're alive, I'm alive, you haven't killed anyone yet"... I suppose he's right, I'm absolutely fine :) Just a bit fed up with milk and can't meet my daily allowance.

Walking to work was much better today as it didn't rain for the first time this week and it was even sunny on the way back. The only problem I had so far was the sudden nausea half way to work this morning. I think it's because I took my multivitamins on an empty stomach and the brisk walk didn't help. I had to pause for a couple of minutes, took deep breaths and carried on, it was fine in a few minutes.

The other thing I must note is my constantly gurgling stomach. I'm not hungry at all and my stomach isn't gurgling because it's empty - it's just full of liquids. And the liquids come out as liquid also. So far, since day 2, bowel movements twice a day and always liquid. If there's anyone reading this and you think it's too much information, sorry! But I think, if I was in the research stage, I would want to know.

I'm a tiny bit worried that I might have a slight lactose intolerance. I never had any problems because I hardly ever consumed milk! I used to have my tea very strong with a drop of milk and my coffee black. And I didn't really need to use milk anywhere else for any reason. Next time I go shopping (or send the darling husband) I'll get lacto-free milk and see if it makes any difference.

Did some more shopping today at lunch time. Got two nighties from Evans, I didn't have one, I usually sleep with just a t-shirt. I really liked these though, lovely soft to the touch. I made sure they are short-sleeved (for the IV) but couldn't decide if I should get them knee-length or long. Not too keen on showing my tree trunks but I decided to go for the knee-length in the end as it's easier lift up to access the dressings, plus I will be wearing anti-embolism stockings. I looked everywhere but I couldn't find a nice, soft, thin, jersey dressing gown/wrap, all they had was waffle gowns, fluffy ones (I have two of these), towel ones etc, maybe it's the season. When I got home, I found and ordered a lovely M&S jersey dressing gown on eBay (new, not used) and a soft bra as all my bras are wired.

I think my hospital bag is pretty much complete. I just need a pair of slippers (I only have flip flops but can't wear those with compression stockings), liquid ibuprofen, liquid co-codomol (does is even exist?!) and chewable multivitamins.

Right... food... or milk, whatever:

09:15 am - Weightwatchers apricot yogurt
09:45 am - Decaf coffee with milk (100ml semi skimmed)
10:30 am - Glass of water (~200ml)
11:30 am - Decaf coffee with milk (100ml semi skimmed)
12:30 pm - Glass of water (~200ml)
14:30 pm - Slim Fast raspberry shake
15:00 pm - Decaf coffee with milk (100ml semi skimmed)
16:30 pm - Decaf coffee with milk (100ml semi skimmed)
18:30 pm - Weightwatchers cherry yogurt
19:30 pm - Slim Fast banana shake
21:00 pm - Oxo cube in hot water
22:00 pm - Ice lolly made with frozen squash

Total today:
1.8 pints milk (half semi-skimmed, half skimmed in Slim Fast ready-made shakes)
2 yogurts

Forgot to weigh myself today. Hope I lost some more. Will hop on the scales in the morning...

Can it be the 15th of October yet please? x

Pre-Op Diet - Day 3

It wasn't the headache that woke me up this morning but the cat purring and rubbing his nose to my cheek :))) Adorable little bastard, waking me up at 6!

I promised myself to walk to work and back every day this week and although it was pissing down, I managed to walk. Had a raincoat on and an umbrella, still got soaked - trousers got wet half way up to my knees! Luckily, walking back was fine, no rain, just wet trees and street.

As I don't eat lunch anymore, I spent my lunch hour shopping today! I know my op is still more than 2 weeks away but I went to Boots anyway and stocked up stuff for my hospital bag. I've been reading others' packing lists on WLSurgery.com forums and compiled mine up:

• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Shower gel
• Deodorant 
• Hair brush
• Hair clips
• Hand cream for my eczema, it flares up when stre
• Lip balm - Vaseline Aloe Vera and also E45 in case I can't stomach the smell on the day
• Dry mouth spray - Boots expert as recommended
• Wet wipes
• Wind relief tablets - I got Wind-eze as these were the only chewable tablets I saw
• Peppermint tea for wind (not sure I need this at the hospital but got some anyway)
• Soluble paracetamol
• Liquid ibuprofen
• Extra pair of socks and pants (100% cotton)
• Dressing gown
• Nightie and PJs, I'll decide whichever is better on the day
• Soft bra
• Clothes for the next day
• Towel
• Hot water bottle
• Laptop and charger and/or iPad plus charger and earphones
• Pillow for the car journey back home

Still missing some bits and bobs but I have plenty of time to get everything before the 15th of October.

Ok back to today's milk and yogurt:

09:00 am - Glass of water (~200ml)
09:30 am - Weightwatchers strawberry yogurt
10:30 am - Decaf coffee with milk (100ml semi skimmed)
11:45 am - Decaf coffee with milk (100ml semi skimmed)
12:30 pm - Blueberry green tea
13:15 pm - Glass of water (~200ml)
13:45 pm - Decaf coffee with milk (100ml semi skimmed)
15:00 pm - Slim Fast vanilla shake (ready-made bottle)
16:00 pm - Glass of water (~200ml)
16:15 pm - Cup of decaf tea with a dash of milk
16:45 pm - Glass of water (~200ml)
20:00 pm - Oxo cube in hot water
I made a shake with a pint of milk, a pot of Mullerlight banana custard yogurt, a drop of vanilla, a teaspoon of Splenda and loads of ice. It tripled in quantity and I had this throughout the evening

Total:
~ 2 pints of milk
2 yogurts

Scared of the headache coming back, I drank lots of water too :)

One thing I have to add - mind you, it might be too much information - you need to remember that if something comes in as liquid, it goes out as liquid too! Enough said... x