Hello, After 20 years of trying everything I am taking the plunge! My surgery date is to be set next week & then I can begin preparing for the big day.

What were your must have or wish you had when you were in hosp/ recovery?

I'm looking forward to "meeting" y'all.

phone and charger for sure. Comfy, easy-to-put-on clothes for going home (I just wore the same clothes that I wore *to* the hospital). A lot of people like having some lip balm and/or Biotene spray since some people get dry lips and mouth from the anesthesia. Otherwise...?? I slept most of the time I was there, so I really didn't need anything other than that.

I also brought toiletries, although I didn't need them since the hospital gave me a bag with a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo in it.

Based on recommendations from here and my surgeon I took very little. My cell, a charger, chapstick, mouth spray for dry mouth and that's pretty much it (didn't use or need any of it). Oh and a change of clothes and underwear and pads (I got my period the day before surgery). And to be honest, I didn't even use my phone for anything. My husband text everyone who knew I had surgery to let them know how things were going so I didn't have to. Otherwise I was too tired to be bothered with the phone or anything else (just watched TV). Not to mention the nurses coming in what seemed like every hour. I was too occupied with them and the constant walking around and when I wasn't doing that I was watching TV, drinking water, and peeing constantly. LOL And in-between all of that I TRIED to sleep.

Sounds like the others covered it except I found an extra long charging cable on Amazon I used with my iPad. I could have made due with just my phone but I brought it so I used it to watch Netflix what little time I was awake.

I brought tonnes, but the only things I was glad i brought were: lip balm, boitene dry mouth spray, crocs (for walking the halls) and a small pillow to hug over bumps on the road on the ride home. Everything else didn’t even make it out of the overnight bag (toothbrush and phone included, lol). If I wasn’t walking, i was sleeping.

good luck! ❤️

Just what the others are saying, the less, the better! I packed a whole duffel bag and had an unusually long stay (5 days), but barely even had the energy to be on my phone. Congratulations and good luck!

Edited September 11, 20215 yr by muala94

I also didn't end up using much of what I brought. I was so tired I slept most of day 1 and often day 2. I went in comfy clothes, comfy bra, socks & sneakers. I brought a brush & hair ties, toothbrush & toothpaste, lotion & moisturizer, lip balm, phone, charger, clean shirt, undies & socks, slippers, charger, phone, & heating pad. I also brought a journal and pen (didn't touch those). Basic toiletries, phone & charger, undies & socks are musts. My lips have been really dry since surgery & often after drinking protein shakes, so chapstick or lip balm are good to bring. I didn't use the heating pad there, but I did at home.

Wishing lots of luck for a successful surgery & easy recovery!

What others have said. I also brought a loose robe for walks in the hallway.

The best things I brought to the hospital was a pair of gym shorts and a t shirt to walk around in. It made it easier for me to walk around dragging the IV tree without also worrying about keeping my robe closed or my butt from sticking out of the hospital gown. I was really able to get in a lot of walking and felt come comfortable in my own clothes when I had to be in bed.

I stayed to a 4th day (back spammed on day 3) & boy was I glad I bought an extra pair of pjs & knickers after the unexpected & very sudden liquid diarrhoea attack - not pleasant. Friend was advised by her surgeon to get some disposable knickers for that reason. Wish I knew!

I took basic toiletries including my shower gel (wanted to smell nice). I loved my first shower on day 2. Bliss!

I downloaded programs to watch & books to read but i wasn’t interested, couldn’t concentrate or was just plain sleepy.

All the best with your surgery.

Really for me the most important things were my phone, charger, kindle, and night guard. I just wore the hospital gown and their socks for my walks. Wore the same clothes home I came to the hospital in (loose - nothing tight). The main helpful hint I will tell you is to have whomever is picking you up bring a pillow. You’ll want to put that under the seatbelt so it doesn’t touch your incisions directly. Saw that advise on here and so glad I followed it.