Hi, I am new to post. I was wondering what items should a person must bring to have along before and after surgery. Stuff like housecoat, slippers etc....Or any funny anecdotes about what you forgot? I soon will be planning to be going to Montreal. I have not got a date set though I got both of my recommendations. I really enjoy reading the past/present post!! It has been valuable.  Oh ya, I am male to female, gender specific and nonspecific items.  Thanks!

Stool softeners. Anaesthesia followed by pain meds will bind things up, so a bottle of those will be helpful.

Ya...have not thought of those yet . very important, very important.  So baggy sweats would be good to bring!?

the residence offers alot of what's needed after surgery, but I would bring ... (this is part of my own surgery list).

ultrathin pads (might not like what the residence offers)
paperwork (if any)
laptop
mobile phones (note roaming costs)
ps3 controller (optional, I figured I would be bored)
loose fitting clothing (buy cheap as it will likely be tossed, you will get bloody after surgery)

transport is provided to/from the airport if you didn't know yet, and you won't leave montreal without a BM so don't worry about that (they will make it happen if you catch my drift).

Yes I thought laptop ,do they might have wifi? I wonder.

Quote from: purple sky on October 07, 2010, 08:54:03 PM
Hi, I am new to post. I was wondering what items should a person must bring to have along before and after surgery. Stuff like housecoat, slippers etc....Or any funny anecdotes about what you forgot? I soon will be planning to be going to Montreal. I have not got a date set though I got both of my recommendations. I really enjoy reading the past/present post!! It has been valuable.  Oh ya, I am male to female, gender specific and nonspecific items.  Thanks!

Hi, just got back from Montreal three weeks ago.  They basically supply everything for you including the 10 pairs pf cotton panties they ask you to bring.  However, it would be a good idea to bring along a couple of pairs to go home in.  The residence is kept cool, so bring something warm like a shawl or sweater to wear in the morning.  A stainless steel water bottle is helpful, otherwise you will be drinking from glasses all the time.  Earplugs are a must.  All medications are provided so don't bring anything--no vitamins, no hormones, etc.  Laptop with headphones.  If you don't have one, buy a cheap netbook for 150-200 dollars.  This will prove invaluable to your stay there--trust me.  Housecoat is a must and, as far as slippers go, buy rubber beach sandals as they are sure to get wet!  Also a  couple of changes of street clothes could come in handy.  Bathing supplies like soap and shampoo, razors, etc. are also needed.  If I can think of anything else, I'll post later.

K

Yep the same deal with Scottsdale and Dr M....

I took an overnite bag with the usual travel standards pre packed into the Hospital and my laptop too....there's wifi in the Greenbaum....

While in the hospital all's taken care of....including meals....

I wore flip-flops, when on ma feets.... (as in AZ it's always hot).....cardigans...pullies or sweater or long T always useful while in the surgical gown, as is the loose casual yoga pants slumber outfit to leave after all's been signed-off for you to go home/hotel....

Arnica Montana and Biotin I use post op..... and other stuff like Bacitracin cream and the knickers (disposable) yep the clinic provided...

But as Dee suggested Baby-wipes v useful....too

If you be bookish, iPod prone those too....but at the Greenbaum anything valuable they tended to hold in security while you were down....

So leave the valuables back in the hotel room, like jewellery watches et al......its just simpler in the long run....

long handled mirror to check on those weird feelings of being wet or dribbling. Or just to have a look between the legs?

something to pass the time, books or similar, if your surgeon prefers a long bedrest.

more nighties than you think because you may get really sweaty from reaction to surgery.

lots of baby powder to keep feeling dry.

Most important: A BIG BOX OF CHOCOLATES for the staff!

Awesome! Thanks for the replies. It will no doubt come in handy.  Anyway.. I live in Alberta, Canada. luckily I was in the program before they delisted! I am waiting for whatever I don't know? Like I said got both letters and funding so I guess they send the required info to Dr.b, and he comes back with a date? It has only been about a month. Arrgg I can barely wait

Quote from: purple sky on October 08, 2010, 06:01:08 PM
Awesome! Thanks for the replies. It will no doubt come in handy.  Anyway.. I live in Alberta, Canada. luckily I was in the program before they delisted! I am waiting for whatever I don't know? Like I said got both letters and funding so I guess they send the required info to Dr.b, and he comes back with a date? It has only been about a month. Arrgg I can barely wait

I think it's up to you to set the date.  I would contact Suzanne in Montreal, ask if they have your funding info, then set your date.  It's  incredibly busy there with two new people arriving every Thursday and Sunday.  On my surgery day, Dr. Brassard had three other surgeries that day--I was number three of four and everything worked out great.

Quote from: Kristyn on October 08, 2010, 06:07:52 PM
I think it's up to you to set the date.  I would contact Suzanne in Montreal, ask if they have your funding info, then set your date.  It's  incredibly busy there with two new people arriving every Thursday and Sunday.  On my surgery day, Dr. Brassard had three other surgeries that day--I was number three of four and everything worked out great.

'


You were the third hehehe I was waiting lmao. but I agree with Kristyn, I also got back from montreal and dont go WITH ULTRA THINS BIG MISTAKE... USE THE THICKER ONES PROVIDED BY the residence... your asking for a blood leak with ultrathins... also be conscious about it... change it with nearly every pee youll notice the heavy blood for the first few days.

Everything medically is provided by the residence, when she says loose clothe they mean LOOSE clothes.. if your normally a small get like a medium stretchable pant, why??? because when you have the bandages on etc... youll have like 4-5inches extra.. and you do NOT want surplus pressure on your bandages.

I managed to wear a lot of stuff and nothing got soiled with blood. but every time i would go on my bed i would place a medical chuck (provided by the residence) and be naked from waist down.

They even give you lube, the dixiden, the mix vinegar/water.

You will LOVE the care and support except from one PERSON COUGH COUGH COUGH...... everything is nice and hopefully as you arrive to the residence the weather is beautiful because it just rocks to sit outside in the little sitting area.. it made me cry twice.

Quote from: SaraR on October 08, 2010, 09:53:52 PM
and dont go WITH ULTRA THINS BIG MISTAKE

Guess its time to go shopping again cuz that's what i bought, the thins.

Quote from: Jessica.C on October 09, 2010, 06:07:40 AM
Guess its time to go shopping again cuz that's what i bought, the thins.

Guess everyone's different.  Ultra thin panty liners are working fine for me.  I have no bleeding and just a bit of discharge from the sutures.  I think I went through about half a pack of heavier pads.

Quote from: SaraR on October 08, 2010, 09:53:52 PM
'




I managed to wear a lot of stuff and nothing got soiled with blood.

I got more food on me than blood.   

If I were to do it over again (not likely!) I would bring along some DVDs.  There are TVs in the rooms with DVD players built in.  I brought books but I just didn't feel like reading.

Bring loose, comfy clothes you can wear outside.  There will be times you NEED to get out.  In the warm weather they have the veranda set up nicely with chairs, tables and even a love-seat swing.  Letting the sun bake down on you can be very revitalizing.

I bought one of those neck pillows and used it in place of the industrial donut they give you when I went out to eat.  It's less conspicuous.



I was glad I brought some nicer clothes, makeup and hair products.  Too many days looking like a hospital patient can get depressing.  Even showing up for dinner with something nice on (and that means anything nicer than PJs and a bathrobe!) and some makeup, with my hair cleaned and styled, made me feel a lot better.  And the compliments help too. 

There's a park across the street along which runs a river.  Bring good walking shoes, maybe a beach towel or something to lie on if you want to lay out in the grass, and anything else you might want to have on your park "getaway".  Of course, the time of year will affect what you can do outside.

To help you decide further: Imagine you are in a recovery house that is run by nurses.  Some of the residents will be upbeat, some not so much.  You may need to get away, whether that is to your room or outside depends on you and the weather.  How would you entertain yourself if you were in that situation?  That will help you a lot in deciding what else to bring along.

Quote from: Julie Marie on October 09, 2010, 06:58:08 AM
If I were to do it over again (not likely!) I would bring along some DVDs.  There are TVs in the rooms with DVD players built in.  I brought books but I just didn't feel like reading.

Bring loose, comfy clothes you can wear outside.  There will be times you NEED to get out.  In the warm weather they have the veranda set up nicely with chairs, tables and even a love-seat swing.  Letting the sun bake down on you can be very revitalizing.

I bought one of those neck pillows and used it in place of the industrial donut they give you when I went out to eat.  It's less conspicuous.



I was glad I brought some nicer clothes, makeup and hair products.  Too many days looking like a hospital patient can get depressing.  Even showing up for dinner with something nice on (and that means anything nicer than PJs and a bathrobe!) and some makeup, with my hair cleaned and styled, made me feel a lot better.  And the compliments help too. 

There's a park across the street along which runs a river.  Bring good walking shoes, maybe a beach towel or something to lie on if you want to lay out in the grass, and anything else you might want to have on your park "getaway".  Of course, the time of year will affect what you can do outside.

To help you decide further: Imagine you are in a recovery house that is run by nurses.  Some of the residents will be upbeat, some not so much.  You may need to get away, whether that is to your room or outside depends on you and the weather.  How would you entertain yourself if you were in that situation?  That will help you a lot in deciding what else to bring along.

Theres a rack of dvd's in the hallway when you walk in theres a cabinet.

Quote from: Jessica.C on October 09, 2010, 06:07:40 AM
Guess its time to go shopping again cuz that's what i bought, the thins.

Um, ultra thins are only good after your heavy flow bleeding as stopped. but youll notice youll soak those also with LUBE even after bleeding stopped...

the ultra thins you can wear (once bleeding has stopped) on a daily basis when you go out. as long as you have a change.. i also suggest longer style pads vs. short. 7 of us are still oozing from the clitoral hood.. why?? thats because when we sit the lube farts out and goes up and causes us to "ooze" in that area.

Your ultra thins are not wasted... you will be able to use them at one point but for now... consider the amount of old blood youll be expelling... In the words of a friend "It will look like a murder scene when you wake up"

Im not trying to scare you... it's just the truth...

I had my floating stitched removed and the last spot on my main incisions that didnt heal is now healed over... but oozing definitely doesnt stop...

even as hard as you squeeze the vaginal douche to cleanse your vaginal cavity you never truly cleanse the whole lube out.

The ultra thins worked for me, but YMMV.

The things that I found invaluable that I wouldn't have thought of:

A mirror and flashlight so you can see what you're doing when learning to dilate.

Slippers (for the hospital) and shoes (for outside) that you can put on without bending over.  It may be a while before you want to bend enough to use your hands to put on shoes.  (I remember that putting on socks was a challenge.  It was nice to be able to slip the shoes on and off easily.)

Enjoy your time there as best you can.  You will probably only do this once, so it will be good to make it memorable and enjoyable.

- Kate

You might also look here: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,77135.msg531385.html#msg531385