What should I bring in my hospital bags

37 minutes ago, deannaserio9696 said:

What should I bring in my hospital bags

Comfortable PJs; phone or iPad, headphones if sharing a room

Chapstick, pillow, slippers or sandals, phone charger, toiletries

You can wear the same clothes home that you wore to the hospital.

Comfy clothes, your cellphone n charger and shower things if u plan on showering post op. Goodluck

not a lot - you're likely to be sleeping most of the time you're there. Phone and phone charger for sure - and comfy clothes for the trip home (I just wore the same clothes that I wore to the hospital). Pillow, as someone else said - some people like having them to hold against their stomachs on the trip home as going over bumps in the road can be painful. I brought Chapstick and biotin spray (for dry mouth) since a lot of people recommended those. I can't remember if I used them or not, but I know the dry mouth thing is pretty common. Other than that...????

I took WAY to much stuff and the only thing I used was my chapstick, toothbrush/paste and hairbrush. I didn't even need my phone charger or anything since I wasn't on it much and I wore the same clothes home that I wore to the hospital, and I wore the hospital gown & socks while there (they gave a second gown to wear when walking to cover up the backside.

I brought my phone, charger, and a book. I wore the hospital gowns and the hospital provided toiletries like toothbrush and paste, shampoo, and mouthwash. I was pretty out of it until the day before I went home, but then I had some complications and stayed longer than most people.

Things I took and used included comfortable shoes to walk the unit, comfy clothes for wearing, pajamas, hairbrush and hair ties, phone and charger, and my knee brace.

I didn’t need much — I didn’t even use my chapstick (but I don’t regret bringing it since it doesn’t take up much space). I definitely recommend loose, comfy pants (and underwear) to wear under the hospital gown while walking the hallways. I brought my iPad to keep myself occupied. I brought a travel toiletry kit but didn’t use anything but toothbrush, toothpaste, and hairbrush. I was only there for one night and didn’t feel the need to take a shower (plus, the shower was gross). I brought Listerine strips and was glad I had them, but I regret it because I overused them and ended up with oral thrush (which can happen if you kill too much of the good bacteria in your mouth).

i didn’t bring a pillow from home and didn’t need one. The hospital provides pillows, which aren’t great, but they’re fine, and I didn’t even use the hospital pillow because I could tilt the head of the bed (and I am normally the type who likes a lot of pillows). I thought about bringing a pillow to hold over my stomach on the ride home, but I decided to use a folded up shirt or sweatpants instead, and didn’t even need to do that, anyway.

An extra pair of pjs, or sleep wear, & knickers in case you have to stay an extra day or accidents. (At my hospital they make you shower & put on your own pjs on the second day.) My friend swears by incontinence pad knickers. Not for incontinence but for the not uncommon & totally unexpected attacks of diarrhoea. As her surgeon warned her: you may think you’re about to pass wind but it will be way more than that (apologies if tmi).

Non slip slippers or slides for your laps around the ward. I couldn’t stand anything pressing against my incision wounds so soft waisted pants/skirts that you can fold down at the waist to wear home or a dress.

Good luck.

A heating pad for your gas pains.