What to pack for hospital

[JeanneFrench]

General anaesthetic.
Probably come home the same day, possible overnight as I live alone.

What do I take? Never had an operation before.

Also, will I need pyjamas? I don't own any and we are in lockdown here, no shops open. Op. is Wednesday morning.

I wouldn't worry about pyjamas as long as you have a dressing gown. Slippers/flip flops too.

I don't have any of those things except flip-flops which luckily haven't been worn before.

Do I need to take food?

Also, when I'm being operated on, where's my stuff like my phone, keys, purse?

Maybe a biggish tshirt if you have one? (I don’t own pyjamas or dressing gown either.) you could Amazon prime something to be delivered tomorrow though if you were desperate.
I don’t know what happens to your personal valuables when you go for your op, someone with knowledge will be along soon to help you with that.
Comfy clothes, drinks, maybe a couple of snacks. I had a general once and they wouldn’t let me leave until I’d eaten something. Hadn’t bought anything as I didn’t know this was the case and they bought me what was left after dinner and it was a salmon sandwich - I nearly vommed - it took me about 40 minutes to eat it, nothing to do with the anaesthetic, just because it was revolting and made me gag

They will give you a hospital gown to wear for the op, but they open all the way down the back. You will need something like a dressing gown to preserve your modesty if you need to go to the loo. They will lock your personal belongings in a locker while you are having your op. They usually bring tea and taost afterwards, but it is a while sice I was last in hospital, and things might be different.

How are you planning to get home? Is someone collecting you?

If you don't have pjs and slippers a long cardi and flip flops will be fine. You'll probably be wearing a hospital gown most of the time.
Don't forget to take a toilet bag in case you're kept in overnight. And take a small snack, something like a cereal bar and an apple. Keep valuables to a minimum and ask your nurse to lock them away for you.
Good luck for your op!

Thanks, everyone.

I was going to just walk home or take the métro (it's not far) or a taxi I guess if tired. I don't know anyone with a car so if a friend came we would walk/métro/taxi together
I guess everyone will be at work, though, and we have a curfew here at 7pm so no one could come if it's after that. The clinic did already tell me not to bring anyone and obviously no visitors (because of COVID).

I thought about online shopping for pyjama type stuff but I'm working tomorrow so won't be here to get the delivery. I think I'll take active wear as that's essentially pyjamas. And flip-flops. And a snack.

Anything else I might need? Do I take my own water?

Good luck for the op.
As well as what the others have said, take something to read. If they keep you in it can get really boring. Perhaps a cardigan or woollen wrap of some sort, some wards can be surprisingly chilly. Have the number of a local taxi on your phone to get home.

No you don’t need water, they’ll give you a jug of it. You may want some of those small individual drinks.

I'd take a book & toiletries, hope it goes smoothly

@JeanneFrench
If you needed anything if you order from next before 10pm tonight it'll go to a store tomorrow to collect after work and Amazon also have those lockers at stations/ shopping centres etc
I'm sure you'll be fine tho you'll prob have what you need at home x

Yes to water unless you like it warm from a plastic jug.

Book, phone, charger, magazine, snacks, wipes, slippers or flip flops, hairbrush

Definitely take some bottled water. It'll still be warm but better than the awful jug/beaker you get. Plus easier to drink from while not sitting up fully if you get ones with a sports cap.

Thanks everyone.

Am not in UK so no Next, we have a 7pm curfew so can't do anything after work like collect a package (and only essential shops are open anyway). Think will be ok with clothes I have even if they're not pyjamas and dressing gown.

Am worrying about this to distract from worrying about the operation.

Would a hospital even allow you to walk home after a GA or go home on public transport? Our hospitals wouldn't allow that. They usually want post GA patients to be collected or at least get a taxi home.

You will probably feel far too groggy and vulnerable to want to walk or get the metro.

Right, well with that drip feed nobody knows

Unless you live in a country without access to a good water supply you do not need to take your own water.

Clean knickers (a couple of pairs), ear plugs and an eye mask if you have, headphones for phone if you like audiobooks or listening to music, non slip flip flops and bed socks, and some change for emergencies.

Normally not allowed to leave alone after a GA so prepare to stay a while - I would take some snacks as you may come around outside of meal times and will get hungry quickly.

Id take a couple of small bottles of juice/water and maybe a couple of snack.
I wouldn't rely on getting provided food outside of official meal times.I had surgery under anaesthetic. I was fine and got out the same day. I did have to go home with someone and have someone stay the night because of the anaesthetic.

Hope all goes ok

Thanks to everyone for advice. It went well.

@JeanneFrench

Thanks to everyone for advice. It went well.

Glad to hear that OP.