13 Items to Ease your Hospital Stay after Weight Loss Surgery

You’ve been pre-approved for bariatric surgery, congratulations! It’s completely normal to be a little nervous as your surgery date approaches. But, don’t sweat (or do if you are working out) I’ll help you get prepared with these 13 items to ease your hospital stay after weight loss surgery.

1. CPAP

If you suffer from Sleep Apnea bring your CPAP or BiPap to the hospital. The hospital pulmonologist will check to make sure it is functioning properly. Make sure the CPAP is properly cleaned before going to the hospital and when you get home. Hospitals are filled with germs, and after surgery, you are more susceptible to getting sick. 

Also, if you aren’t sure, ask your bariatric team to double-check.

2. Comfortable Clothes

You may be in the hospital for a night or two, so you’ll want to be as comfortable as possible. I swear hospitals are designed to stress you out; constant beeping, dinging and just when you fall asleep staff comes in to give you meds, check your blood pressure or poke you with a needle. So you’ll want to be comfortable. Bring sweats, sports bra, slippers, etc.

3. Extra Blanket

My husband went home and brought me a plush blanket because I was freezing. The anti-microbial sandpaper blankets weren’t cutting it. You’ll want to give it a good wash when you get home because…germs!

4. Hygiene Products

I recommend picking up a travel pack for the hospital that has chapstick, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and lotion. The hospital has these items, but most of the time they aren’t the best products. So if you are picky like me pick up a travel pack. Amazon has men’s travel kits and women’s travel kits that I love.  

5. Cell Phone and Charger

Hospitals are boring. You’ll be drugged up post-op but you’ll want your phone or tablet to entertain you. When you aren’t so loopy, you’ll want to call or text your loved ones to let them know you are ok. Make sure your charger has a long cord. 

If you don’t have a long charger cable, consider bringing an extension cord if you anticipate using your phone.

6. Headphones

Luckily I had a private hospital room, not everyone is that lucky. Bring your headphones so you can stream shows without bothering your neighbor. Also, I listen to some pretty raunchy podcasts and I didn’t want to make the nurses uncomfortable, so I brought mine. 

Just a reminder, if you bring wireless earbuds, don’t forget to pack the charger for those as well.

7. Identification

All hospitals require identification before getting surgery. Your driver’s license is sufficient. Even though my photo was on file, they asked for it to verify that you are who you say you are. They should also confirm which surgery you are getting.

8. Insurance Cards

Even if your hospital has your card on file, you may want to bring a copy of the cards, just in case.  This is also a liability thing for the hospital, so bring it, unless you are told otherwise.

9. List of Medications 

Bring a list of updated medications and vitamins you currently take. Check with your bariatric office if you need to bring the actual medications or if the hospital will provide them to you.

Related Posts:

• How to Stop Hair Loss after Weight Loss
• Do’s and Don’ts after Weight Loss Surgery
• Vitamins and Protein after Weight Loss Surgery

10. Glasses

If you wear glasses, definitely bring them along. Vision is definitely a top hospital must-have. The only entertainment you have is reading, your phone and the TV.

11. Books or Kindle

Again, hospitals are dull, can’t stress that enough. You’ll need to entertain yourself. Bring your favorite book or kindle to help get you through the days.

12. Gas-X

Don’t laugh, but the gas pain is real post-op. Walking every hour helps prevent blood clots but also helps move all the air around inside you. I recommend the chewable gas-x tablets. Check with your hospital team to make sure you are allowed to use them.

13. Hand Sanitizer or Wipes

Yes, hand sanitizer is hard to come by, but this is definitely for everyone who is in the hospital. You’d think it would be clean, but germs run rampant in the hospital so you must have wipes or sanitizer. If there isn’t any available, get to the sink to wash as frequently as you can.

Be sure to check with the hospital to see if you need to bring your own mask during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have any tips for hospital stays please let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to follow The Bariatric Blogger on Facebook or Instagram.