Key Takeaways
- Organize essential documents and personal items to ensure a smooth hospital admission and stay.
- Pack items that promote comfort, like your favorite robe, slippers, and pillow, to aid in recovery during your hospital stay and transition home.
- Order your post-surgery diet kits from Bari Life so you can meet your protein needs for effective healing and weight loss when you return home from the hospital.
You’ve waited for this moment for months. After the diet programs, exercise routines, and lifestyle adjustments, your scheduled day for bariatric surgery is almost here. You’re counting down the days and may be wondering what to pack.
Considering what to bring can be overwhelming. This article is your comprehensive bariatric surgery hospital checklist, covering everything you need from admission through discharge.
Table of Contents
Pre-Hospital Preparation Checklist
You want to make sure everything is in order before your surgery date. Preparing for bariatric surgery start withorganizing the documents and personal items you’ll need throughout your stay.
- Insurance cards: The hospital staff will need to verify your coverage to ensure all services are properly documented and covered.
- Photo ID: Bring a government-issued photo. Hospitals need to verify your identity to prevent medical identity theft and ensure you receive the correct treatments.
- List of medications: Include dosages and supplements so your surgical team can prevent any harmful drug interactions and properly manage your medication schedule before and after surgery.
- Emergency contact list: You want the hospital to be able to quickly reach your loved ones if any important decisions need to be made or updates need to be shared about your operation.
- Medical clearances: Your pre-surgery clearance paperwork contains vital information about your health status and proves you’re medically cleared for the procedure.
- Loose-fitting clothes: You’ll need comfortable, loose clothing as tight clothes can irritate your surgical sites and make movement uncomfortable. Choose items that are easy to put on and won’t put pressure on your incisions.
- Non-slip slippers: This is important for preventing falls during your hospital stay. Non-slip slippers provide stability when walking on slick hospital floors and help you safely complete your required post-surgery walking.
- Phone charger: A long charging cord ensures you can keep your device powered even when the hospital bed is far from electrical outlets.
- A small amount of cash: Having some cash on hand can be helpful for small purchases from the hospital gift shop or unexpected needs that may arise during your stay.
- Entertainment materials: Recovery involves plenty of downtime, so having books, magazines, or a tablet helps prevent boredom and keeps your mind occupied during the healing process.
- Sleep mask: Hospital rooms often have various lights from medical equipment and hallways, so a sleep mask helps ensure quality rest by blocking out these disturbances.
- Earplugs: Hospitals are busy 24/7 with staff, equipment, and other patients. Earplugs can help you get the rest you need by blocking out the constant background noise that’s typical in hospital settings.
Hospital Arrival & Pre-Op Checklist
The morning of your surgery requires special preparation and specific items that you’ll need immediately before your procedure. Having these items ready will help reduce anxiety and ensure you’re fully prepared for the operation. Remember to follow any specific instructions from your surgical team about medications and fasting requirements.
- CPAP machine: If you use a CPAP machine to sleep, the hospital may have a device available, but using your own machine with your personalized settings helps maintain your normal sleep routine.
- Light robe: Choose one that’s easy to put on and take off, as you’ll be wearing it over your hospital gown during recovery walks.
- Lip balm: Having lip balm readily available helps prevent discomfort and cracking.
- Hair ties: Hair ties help prevent tangles while being in bed and keep hair from interfering with incision sites or medical equipment.
- Small notebook: Recovery involves many instructions about medications, dietary guidelines, and activity restrictions. Having a dedicated notebook helps you keep track of all this important information.
- Pen: Have a pen handy so you can jot down important notes and things to remember.
- Questions to ask bariatric surgeon: Before surgery, it’s important to clarify any last-minute concerns. Consider asking about post-op restrictions, pain management, and the expected recovery timeline.
Post-Surgery Hospital Stay Checklist
During your hospital stay after surgery, comfort becomes a top priority as you begin your recovery journey. What to take to the hospital for bariatric surgery recovery focuses on items that will help you rest comfortably and start moving safely.
- Extra pillows: Extra pillows can provide support when coughing (which is necessary but painful after surgery), help you find comfortable positions in bed, and offer support when getting up or lying down.
- Loose pajamas: Select ones that are easy to get on and off, don’t put pressure on your incision sites, and allow nurses to check your surgical areas without causing discomfort. Button-up tops are particularly helpful.
- Compression stockings: These special stockings promote proper leg circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots after surgery.
- Comfortable underwear: After surgery, your abdomen will be sensitive, so choose underwear that sits well below your incision sites. High-waisted options should be avoided as they can irritate surgical areas and interfere with proper wound healing.
- Water bottle: Proper hydration is crucial after bariatric surgery, but you’ll need to drink in small amounts. A water bottle with clear measurements helps you track your intake precisely and ensure you’re meeting your daily fluid goals without drinking too much at once.
- Toiletries: Pack travel-size items to save space and include gentle products that won’t irritate sensitive skin.
- Sugar-free lozenges: After surgery, your throat may be sore from the breathing tube used during anesthesia. Sugar-free lozenges help soothe this irritation while complying with your post-surgery dietary restrictions.
Discharge & At-Home Recovery Checklist
Preparing for your return home is just as important as preparing for the hospital stay. This transition period requires careful planning to ensure you have everything needed for a smooth recovery at home.
- Loose clothing: When leaving the hospital, you’ll need clothing that’s gentle on your healing incisions. Choose soft, stretchy fabrics that won’t bind or rub against your surgical sites, and select items that are at least one size larger than normal to accommodate any swelling and ensure easy dressing without straining.
- Slip-on shoes: Choose a sturdy pair with good support that you can easily step into without having to bend down or tie laces, reducing the risk of strain on your incisions.
- Folder for discharge paperwork: Your discharge paperwork contains vital information about medications, dietary restrictions, activity guidelines, and warning signs to watch for. Keep all these documents organized in a folder as you’ll need to reference them frequently during your recovery and share them with other healthcare providers.
- Prescribed medications: Have your medications ready before heading home. Some medications may need to be taken at specific times, and you won’t want to delay getting them from the pharmacy when you’re tired from surgery.
- Small pillow: A small pillow serves as a buffer between your seatbelt and surgical sites during the car ride home. When pressed against your abdomen, it helps absorb the vibration from the car and protects your incisions from sudden stops or bumps in the road.
- Bariatric vitamins: Sticking to your vitamin regimen will help prevent nutrient deficiencies and aid in recovery.
- Medical team contacts: Having quick access to your healthcare providers’ contact information is essential if you experience complications or have urgent questions during recovery. Keep a comprehensive list of phone numbers for your surgeon, primary care doctor, dietitian, and other specialists involved in your care.
Ensuring a Smooth Recovery
Ensuring you have the right items on hand helps you relax during your recovery period.
From having comfortable clothing, your phone charger, and all necessary documents, these preparations allow you to focus on what matters most—your recovery.
How Bari Life Can Help
Finish your preparations by ordering your post-surgery diet kit from Bari Life. These kits provide bariatric protein shakes, bariatric protein bars, and bariatric multivitamins you need for healing and achieving weight loss.
After bariatric surgery, it’s crucial to consume at least 60-80 grams of protein daily to support tissue repair, maintain muscle mass, and bolster your immune system.
Bari Life’s post-surgery diet kits are specifically designed to meet these nutritional requirements, offering a convenient and effective solution to help you stay on track with your health goals.
Conclusion
Preparing for bariatric surgery involves more than just scheduling the procedure—it requires thoughtful planning to ensure a smooth hospital stay and a successful recovery. By following this checklist, you’ll have everything you need for comfort, organization, and a seamless transition back home.
From essential documents and cozy clothing to hydration tools and post-surgery nutrition, these preparations set you up for success on your weight loss journey. Remember, recovery doesn’t stop when you leave the hospital—having the right support system and the necessary supplies will make all the difference.
To further simplify your recovery, consider Bari Life’s post-surgery diet kits, designed to help you meet your protein needs and stay on track with your health goals. With the right mindset and preparation, you’re well on your way to a healthier future!
If you want to learn more, why not check out these articles below:
- How Long Do You Have To Stop Smoking Before Bariatric Surgery?
- How Long From Consultation To Bariatric Surgery?
- What To Expect at First Bariatric Appointment?
- What To Eat Before Bariatric Surgery?
- Bariatric Surgery Must Haves
What are your tips and tricks to post-bariatric success?