What to pack for hospital stay?

[Keepkondoing]

I’m booked in for an op early jan all being well. It will either be a one or two night stay depending on recovery. I want to get organised before any lockdown and also planning and preparing makes me feel less nervous. So what do I need to take with me, here is what I’ve written down so far:
Pyjamas (x2?) dressing gown, slippers, phone, kindle, iPad and chargers, clothes to come home in, toiletries.
Any other tips? Things that might not be obvious but that made the stay easier?

Snacks that don’t need a fridge - hospital food can be dire. Cereal bars, etc.

Bottle of squash

Hair bands, lip balm pants: baby wipes for hands etc if getting up and out of bed is a faff.

Earphones if not in your own room

Ear plugs

Earplugs are a good one, I’ve not used them before but I don’t sleep well if there is lots of strange noise. And snacks, not sure how hungry I’ll feel but would definitely don’t want to be starving while there.

Hairbrush, hair bands, underwear, puzzle book, chargers, pen, magazine, lots of socks, fave snacks, your own pillow and blanket

An extra long charger lead, headphones, hand cream

Sorry underwear for a start goes without saying

I’m going to have to take a suitcase at this rate, like the idea of my own pillow and blanket though. And yes underwear goes without saying but could easily be something I forget!!

Depending on the surgery a long handled cloth bag so you can easily reach your things.
Pens.
A written list of any allergies. My brain turns to mush when asked about them and no matter how many times they've asked you, the nurse putting your bands on will always ask again.

Not quite the same but ..ds was in hospital last month for a major opp and i was allowef to stay with him for the 6 days but...
Snacks,snacks and more snacks !!
Juice as said above and i got him some flavoured fizzy water that was quite refreshing.

One thing i noticed for him was , it was quite a stretch of his leads to the socket.
An extension lead would have helped us .

It was really hot in the hospital so i doubt if you would need a big fluffy dressing gown
like the brand new one i bought him !!
(It never came out of the suitcase !!)

Food was better than expected though.
Alot was pre prepared microwave stuff ,
so it did not dry out under the heater of the food trolly .
Hope your opp goes well.

Wet wipes
Plastic bag to put dirty clothes in.
Ear plugs and eye mask. Wards are noisy & bright.
A sweatshirt you can sleep in. Wards are quite cool.

Thank you for all these great suggestions, a long handled bag is a really good idea - it’s abdominal surgery so I’ll definitely need things as accessible as possible. I’ll stick extension lead on my list.

Slip on shoes or slippers that you can slip on without having to bend down to do up. Especially as it is abdominal surgery. If you are having a catheter, a nightie is better than pyjamas. Chewing gum for getting the bowels moving after the operation. My hospital suggested this to me when I had abdominal surgery recently.

A small mirror.
A book not just kindle in case there are problems with charging or internet. Sweets to suck.
Are you allowed to take your own pillow or blanket these days with restrictions? If so it’s a good idea as hospital beds are not the most comfortable, pillows like bricks & can get really chilly at night.

Take short pjs as hospitals are always really warm

Comfy earphones you can sleep in. Not the small buds as you'll keep losing them. I had these:
https://www.johnlewis.com/sennheiser-cx-150bt-wireless-bluetooth-in-ear-headphones-with-mic-remote-black/p4855450?gclid=CjwKCAiArIHBRB2EiwALfbH1KcSJrrlWC5Wm6RcxRmNRkymS7CZL5ftzQte5fqtH6WCGJ4qFIkuxBoCkkQQAvDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Extra long charging cable. Plugs are not always conveniently placed.

Eye shield. When you're lying down during the day ceiling lights are super annoying.

Easy-listen Audiobooks uploaded on your phone (I recommend the BorrowBox app for free audio library books.)

Comfy loose socks

And for when you get home
A triangle pillow and a v pillow to make it comfy to sit up in bed.

Also , depending if you think you are going to have a shower while there ..flip flops/sliders to shower in.
Agree with the wet wipes / refreshing wipes .
Hand towel and flannel.

Amazing suggestions above so just going to wish you well!! ❤️ Due to current situation I’d also bring face mask, hand sanitiser and moisturising hand cream. Oh and pain killers. Yes they will give you what you need but the wait is awful at times and when I want pain killers I want them immediately. Good luck!

Snacks for your DP

voice of bitter experience

Definitely nightie not pjs after abdo surgery.
Although tbh I just wore the ones they supplied so they were washed every day.
Loose fitting dress for discharge day.

Some more great tips, really glad I posted now. Lots to think about - I don’t own a nightie so maybe I’ll have to buy a cheap one. Peppermint tea and chewing gum are great suggestions and something I’d never have thought.

Ear plugs and eye mask definitely! Depends on what kind of op you are having but lots of wards encourage patients to get dressed into normal clothes during the day. There was a campaign 'pyjama paralysis'. So maybe some comfortable clothes as well, and decent footwear (not slip on shoes / slippers).

Magazines. Books can be too full on and if you're interrupted/ distracted they end up useless ime. Travel sized blue Nivea, it works as face/ hand/ lip moisturiser. Oversized hoodie and tracksuit bottoms/ harem pants. Snacks. Flip flops. Hairbands and a brush. I refused to shower in the hospital both stays (mine were CS's) so a flannel and a load of lovely stuff to come home to/ to make life easier when home.

If you don't have a nightie buy (at least one) decent one. I didn't own one either before abdo surgery but couldn't tolerate pjs for at least a month and ended up staying in nighties for very much longer as they were so much more comfortable.
(I'll even confess to wearing dresses with no underwear when I first started leaving the house!)
Obviously all this depends a bit on where your scar will be and how large it is.

And definitely a decent sleep bra if you have big boobs!