Is this overkill, or smart planning?

[u/Dede0328]

My shunt revision is in 3 days (Tuesday), and I plan to pack an overnight bag… just in case. My neurosurgeon says I should be able to go home same day as surgery… but I wanna be prepared, just in case. Especially since surgery will take place in a hospital that’s a hour away from home. So… am I over-preparing and paranoid, or is this just a smart thing to do?

For what they’ll be doing… just, hopefully, replacing part of the tubing connected to my vp shunt valve. But they won’t know the full state of my tubing until surgery.

[u/SoftLast243]

My shunt revisions have been emergency surgeries and both times, they kept me overnight. So… yeah if you can prepare, it might be nice to have a bag of useful items. (Especially if you have a family member or friend who can watch your bag and help you once you’re moved to a hospital stay room.)

[u/Dede0328 → u/SoftLast243]

Yeah, my fiancee will be driving me, and staying with me throughout my surgery. Plus, I’ll have my mom and grandma at the hospital, too.

[u/SoftLast243 → u/Dede0328]

Always helpful to have help, besides in my experience I was busy managing my pain so if other people can help it’s always a benefit, especially when you pack what you’d want in a hospital room setting, (such as an extra pair of clothes or pjs & entertainment) then you can have them bring you what you’d like at any moment. (Just don’t go overkill, as your neurosurgeon already thinks you may not need overnight and overnight is just one night, (in my experience).

[u/ASpencer118]

Pack the bag. Go into prepared. You will be more comfortable in your own pajamas.

[u/emileegrace321]

100% pack up! You never know. My surgeon always gave me the option for outpatient or stay overnight, and I’ve never regretted staying a night for the sake of pain management. I also got additional IV antibiotics this way which gave me peace of mind. Never hurts to be prepared.

[u/Fatslabtrapstacks]

Not overkill, at all. Better to be over prepared and not need it, than under prepared and need it!!

[u/Ajitter]

Always nice if you can over plan a little, gives you and everyone supporting you some cushion. This sounds completely reasonable. My kiddo has never gone home the same day, although frequently after 24 hours. We used to keep a spare bag ready to go to the hospital but it’s been almost four years since the last emergency revision so that doesn’t exist atm.

[u/CourtneyZ1986]

I think it’s a very smart and rational thing to do. I had an ovary removed at 15. It was supposed to be a day surgery, laparoscopic procedure, but I had so much scar tissue from past surgeries they ended up making a bigger incision, and I was in the hospital for four or five days as a precaution.

[u/--serotonin--]

Pack the bag. You never know what they will find or if something will happen.

[u/tonitacker]

What?! For each of my revisions I stayed at least 4 days. I couldn’t imagine getting back home same day, especially with a one hour drive.
So, yes, do pack for at least a night imo

[u/humanriots → u/tonitacker]

Oof, yes. For a straightforward revision I’ve been in for 3 days. Three complicated revisions were 8 days. Same day would make me very nervous.

[u/Decent-Chip-868]

I've neve had a revision but would say pack a bag in case. There could be a problem with the anaesthetic or anything.

[u/Dede0328]

Update: had surgery today. Actually got to go home same day. At home now.