Hysterectomy Hospital Bag Help

[LittleBittyKitty]

I’m going for a hysterectomy next week and have never been in hospital apart from when I had my DD years ago. I need some suggestions of what to take with me as I could be in for 3 nights. I’ve got PJs, some yoga pants and tshirts and some toiletries. I thought about dry shampoo but don’t know what else I need. Can anyone advise?

Flip flops! Big pants. Snacks

Moisturiser, book, phone, charger, snacks, juice, ear plugs, headphones.
I had a shower the next day so you shouldn't need dry shampoo.

A nightie. The first night you will be fitted with a catheter and may have packing in a place where you wouldn’t normally want to have packing, and pyjamas aren’t very easy to use.

Other than that -
Earplugs
Biscuits
Book/kindle

I found a nightie that buttoned to be better if I ever had a drip up, its easier to get in and out off.
Good luck!

I hadn't thought of earplugs but that a great idea. I've visited a few people in hospital this year and the wards are so noisy all the time. I'm sure overnight they're not much better. My friend said that the nurses just talked and laughed loudly all night long when she was in recently.

Big cotton knickers that reach up above your waste. Forget paper knickers really scratchy. Anything that sits lower just isn’t comfortable. And even if your not planning to bf a support pillow for feeding.

Sorry my mistake misread hysterectomy forget the pillow. I had major op a couple of years ago and one of the other patients got up in the night to have a shower etc at 3am. Switched on all the lights and woke the whole ward. So ear plugs and eye mask may be a good idea.

Has anyone mentioned painful wind is an issue post op? I believe peppermint capsules are sometimes recommended which is why I mention it (sorry).

Eva - yes my consultant and a physiotherapist both told me that. God it all just sounds really grim.

I've started a list on my phone, keep them coming.

Where will I get peppermint capsules? I'm guessing they're different from regular mints? Are we talking herbal remedy type things?

If you're having an abdominal hysterectomy, your movement will be limited at first. Straws make drinking easier.

A pillow for the journey home - hold it against your abdomen for support - you will feel every bump in the road .

Sanitary towels for post-operative bleeding.

Audio books are a good idea for sleepless nights.

Peppermint capsules can be obtained from Holland & Barrett - I don't know whether there are cheaper stockists, but H&B ones are good.

Definitely ear plugs and eyemask. Dry shampoo is a must. Dressing gown (though I used a long cardi) and easily slip-on slippers (though I had crocs!). You don't want to be bending down if you can help it!. I didn't have a hysterectomy, but fairly major abdominal surgery and wore yoga pants with a big stretchy waistband to go home in. Decathlon sell some cheap, really comfy ones. Thankfully I took more T-shirts tha I thought I would need as I smelt really odd (doctor thought it might have been me sweating out the anaesthetic) so I changed a couple of times a day. I also took peppermint teabags instead of the capsules.

Something to make a bowel movement easier afterward, so dried fruit/mild medication or whatever will help you. Plus drink plenty of water.

Definitely some big pants, you want to be comfy.

Not a packing tip, but if you have long hair, plait it before the operation then you won't have to untangle it afterwards when you're feeling achey and exhausted.

Handwipes and 'deo' wipes are helpful for freshening up until you can shower - not normally a fan of them, but they do have a purpose when you genuinely can't wash.

Small sports bottle that you can squeeze water into yourself for when youre lying down and thirsty. Nighties rather than PJs, you don't want anything on your tum. Phone charger with a long lead. Snacks. Slippers that you can slip your feet into without having to adjust the back. Same for shoes. Ear plugs. Throat lozenges, my throat was really sore afterwards. Light book, nothing heavy to hold. Definitely a pillow for the car journey home too.

I found a surgical back support belt invaluable for the first few days/weeks post op.