If you have had major surgery and a long stay in hospital...

[AdditionalCharacter]

What helped make your stay easier?

I'm going to having surgery soon, and a lengthy stay afterwards, at least 1 week in HDU, then at least a month on a ward.

I have shoulder length hair, but debating having it cut short so I don't need to worry too much about brushing it, or just tying it up and using a lot of dry shampoo.

You could go to a hairdresser aimed at black women and get a protective hairstyle if you don’t want to cut it?

I’d also buy an extra long phone cable and a thermal cup with a lid and a straw to keep drinks hot or cold between drinks rounds.

Eye mask, ear plugs and audiobooks.
Lovely nightwear, nice snacks and juices.

I spent eight weeks in hospital late last year and would have been completely lost without my noise cancelling headphones. I regret not cutting my hair as I was too ill to wash it myself and hospital staff were very clear about not wanting to do it. My hair was halfway down my back so maybe that put them off. My partner washed it for me in the sink when I was well enough to sit on a chair.

You can buy shampoo caps that get warmed in the microwave and you just massage on your head. Not great but more refreshing than dry shampoo. Sometimes wards have these but probably best to take some.

A couple of really good portable chargers so you can have one on charge while you're using the other.

Earphones.

Eye mask & ear plugs.

Something comforting from home such as a favourite cushion blanket.

Bed bath wipes. Ward usually have these or you can take some. A pump body spray rather than aerosol.

Nighties are more practical than PJ's, especially if surgery is abdominal.

Kindle with easy ro read/lighthearted books.

Gripper/ slipper socks

Good rechargeable fan. One that's handheld but also stands alone.

Favourite snacks for when you're feeling better but get the munchies.

Bottle of squash.

Water bottles.

Headphones
Earplugs
Sleepmask.

If you are not already a member, consider joining your local library so that you can make use of its digital services. BorrowBox (download books and audiobooks) and Libby - every conceivable magazine you can think of.

Bottle of squash.

Hand-cream and moisturiser.

If you would like to have short hair I think that is a very good idea!
If you are going to have a drip in for any length of time consider having something to put over your shoulders to keep you warm as it's really difficult to put on/take off things with sleeves with a drip in.
I always take my own nice instant coffee/tea/horlicks sachets as I don't like the hospital ones.
Some nice wipes to freshen up with if you don't feel well enough to shower are always a good idea.
If you can bear them, ear plugs to drown out the sounds of the other patients, or a bluetooth headband with earphones in so that you can listen to audiobooks/music etc if you are awake in the middle of the night.
Don't forget chargers for your tablet/phone!
I like to read, but it can be difficult to have loads of stuff so I load my tablet with lots of books in advance.
Plenty of pyjamas so that you always have a clean pair rather than having to wait for somebody to take your laundry, wash it and bring it back. Same with flannels!
Slippers.... I don't use them at home but find that nurses get a bit narked if I wander around barefoot.

Some ordinary biscuits or other snacks. Not delicious treat ones, but something basic so that you can eat them if you're hungry.
I was in for 2 weeks as an emergency last summer - I got my DH to bring me in some of my home made hedgerow jelly to have on my toast at breakfast. It made it all much more bearable!
I also like to have my own soft pillow.

Body wipes for adults

I find hospitals very drying on the skin. Something like E45 moisturising lotion can be used in the body, face and hands.

Not asking for you to say what your surgery is for, but consider whether there is anything specific to that surgery that might make you more comfortable post op - eg when a friend had a mastectomy, she had a little cushion that hung over her shoulder to cushion her wound from the weight of her arm.

Baby wipes for a quick freshen up.

Small box of tissues - some hospitals provide these, others don't seem to.

Maybe a little free standing mirror so you can tidy yourself up without leaving your bed and a bit of makeup if you wear it.

A cardigan/bed jacket for when you're in bed but don't want the bulk of a dressing gown.

Obviously you are limited on space so will need to prioritise. Maybe have a secondary bag of stuff that visitors can bring for you as needed.

Wishing you the best of luck and a successful recovery

My dad has just spent 2 months in.

make sure everything has your name on it.

a fan - he found a neck fan best but did have a desk fan too.

your own pillow.

ear plugs - he liked the loop ones as could still hear some but blocked out enough.

And bin bags for your dirties as you go along that can then be sent home if you have a visitor who is willing.

I spent a month in 20 years ago and would recommend a couple of chargers. My tablet and MN kept me sane 😆
Lip balm and your own mug are essential.
Day clothes like T-shirts and leggings can help you feel human.
Plastic slip ons for the bathroom / shower are great. I had my head partly shaved and my hair was full of blood so I didn’t need to worry about that.

Some great ideas. I don't like earplugs, but I might invest in one of those headbands with built in headphones, they do ones that can be used as eye mask as well, so kills two birds with one stone.

Will definitely write my name on stuff.

Good call on power banks, as I doubt I'll be able to move to put things on charcoal, so DH can charge them for me.

never knew you could download books from my local library, will take a look.

Im having a kidney tumour and probably the kidney removed and possibly part of my other one, dialysis port put in, dialysis, and if I'm lucky, a kidney transplant. A lot to take in. The surgeon can't do it laparoscopy due to tumour size.

*charge, not charcoal

Not personally, but I’ve seen people with these arm things that hold devices. They clamp to the bed and then rotate every which way.

I got to recuperate at home after my major surgery. Was still a month in bed, except care needs thank goodness, then 2 weeks of limited activity. A simple knitting project was a good distraction.

eye patches for zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
crocs for the shower
arrow words kept me sane
loads of water
plastic straws
flannel for flannnnnnel washing etc etc
blanket from home for niceness

All the best OP, sounds like a lot to get your head round! 💐
I was scared stiff going in to have a brain tumour removed, MN helped me get through it.

I found a double usb plug useful that allowed me to charge phone, iPad and kindle. I had a power pack for when I couldn’t access a socket, such as when equipment (drip etc.) was using the sockets.

Best tip I read was to buy a really long charger wire, and take pegs with you. I pegged the wire to the bed sheets so it didn't fall off and I didn't have to get up to retrieve it.

Lots of great suggestions above, I agree re a Snoozeband, I took one and used to listen to music or audio books most of the night to block out sounds. BorrowBox is an amazing library app you can use to borrow any audiobooks your local library carry.

Agree with PP about pegs and long chargers, much more efficient than battery packs.
I was in a private hospital but it was still hotter than hell, noisy from the man across the corridor who was snoring all night and I felt hideously sick.

I wished I'd taken a feather cushion or pillow like I'd use at home. Hospital pillows are like hard blocks of foam and I like to mould it under my neck. I might have to have further surgery so will def take a cushion.

Also a nice blanket so you can ditch the hospital one when you can. Again they are made of plastic inside and hotter than hell.

I took flannels to wash myself with a bar of soap, I find wipes make my skin dry.

I also took nuts and bananas as I knew I wouldn't want to eat hospital food after the anaesthetic but nuts might be tricky in a ward in case of allergies. Def something savoury though so your teeth won't feel icky from eating sweet stuff.

I took my water bottle but found the hospital jugs much easier to use. I didn't have an issue with the water taste.

Good luck op, I hope your op is successful.

A light, soft blanket ( DH had Primark throws when he was in for a month). Those cotton NHS blankets are heavy and not warm.

I'm a nurse and if i was to have a stay in hospital I would be taking my own pillow (the ones in hospital have to be waterproof/wipe able so you can imagine how uncomfortable they are) a cosy blanket, slippers and plenty snacks.

A lavender ( or your choice of scent) spray. I sprayed it on the bedcovers and it helped drifting off to a familiar scent rather than the smell of the ward.

I took a 3m long charger cable, so I could use my phone with it plugged in. Also a stand for my phone so I could have it on the table and watch Netflix.

It was hotter than Hades, so I ordered a usb rechargeable fan that goes around your neck - absolute lifesaver. https://amzn.eu/d/jaiAPS9

Clothes with elasticated waists (had abdominal surgery) and knickers with no lacy / frilly bits at the waistband - even that normal elastic that has teeny loops on the edge was absolute murder on the laproscopic port scars.

The little yellow foam earplugs from 3M are really good, and comfy. I can't use earplugs normally. An eye mask for nights when the lights are all on.

Best of luck @AdditionalCharacter that sounds a lot!

My mother was always asking me to bring a lip balm and some sweets in for her as well.

The library apps were a godsend for me during lockdown and when visiting/hanging around hospitals with my mother.

Nice long charger
Portable fan
Kindle
Tablet for watching TV
Squash
Snacks
Body wipes & face wipes
Ear pods