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

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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.

Seconding the recommendations for your own pillow and an extra-long phone charger.

I found an insulated travel coffee mug - one of the larger sized ones - invaluable, not for keeping hot drinks hot but for keeping my water cold. My ward was boiling hot and the jugs of hospital water turned stagnant pretty quickly.

I'd also recommend a pen and small pad of paper, handy for taking notes during ward rounds if you need to but also a good way to write a shopping/packing list for your helpers should you realise you've forgotten something vital!

Definitely a 3m cable for charging plus a multiple charging plug

Some sort of wrap, fleece blanket to keep you warm as occasional it's cold

Fruit sweets or werthers for when your mouth is dry but don't want to drink

Cup /flask to keep drinks hot or cold

I took peppermint teabags in as trolley only had black tea and coffee

Wipes ,
Lip balm

Space masks

Loaded kindle

Socks- I bought from primark

I don't wear slippers just used my flip flops

Wishing you all the best, OP.

Sorry about your diagnosis OP. Some of these might have been mentioned. My mum has had multiple surgeries over the years and these are things she takes:

• lip gloss and moisturiser. Especially if the ward has air conditioning.
• A hand held fan if its hot and stuffy
• Hooks. She takes several, large, metal hooks, so she could hang small bags on the side of the bed side drawers.
• Crochet/knitting/cross word or quiz book
• Pincher stick to pick up socks or things you might drop- without having the bend over

headphone headband so you can listen to music/podcasts whilst getting rest.

Hi op, during my stays I found these things useful:

bluetooth headphones
my own pillow
light dressing gown
long charger
snacks and drinks
nighties and comfy day clothes
sliders for shower
nice toiletries
moisturisers and lip balm
body/face wipes
ipad and books

I'd suggest some neutral scented or unscented toiletries, including a long lasting stick/cream deodorant - nothing stronger than Dove, as aerosol sprays and highly scented items can be too much for you (and anybody within about 30 foot of you) when not feeling well. A stick deodorant will also be easy to apply and can be used in skin folds to reduce sweat causing skin damage, as can some emollient lotion such as E45 in the pump bottle. The skin on your feet and legs needs looking after when you're having to stay in bed or a chair for a longer period. Include a file and hoof sticks to look after your fingernails as well.

I'd cut my hair beforehand unless it's very long, where I'd have a good, assertive trim and put it into a French Plait to keep it out of the way until I felt able to wash it - a velvet or silk scrunchie and a small number of bands would be useful, along with a Tangle Teezer to gently take out any matting.

If you are that way inclined, and your recovery permits, a craft project. Knitting, sewing, patchwork, embroidery etc

Boiled sweets
Couple of nice bottle of squash
Slippers
Nice socks
Hand moisturiser
Nice shower gel
Favourite ambient snacks (though they may have a small amount of chilled storage available, dependent on ward need)
Books
Puzzle books
Kindle or similar if you or a friend has one.

Spare glasses....

As someone visiting a long standing patient i would add:clear plastic toiletry bags to help organise things on/in your locker. Or even a small caddy to lift on/off your overbed table with the stuff you need for the day especially if you might need to eg do teethbrushjng from bed for a while.

I forgot:

• Ask the staff for some of the sticky labels with your name and details on. They use them on your name band, but also pages of notes and are very hand for labelling glasses, bags, sticks etc
• A lavender, roller ball thing you can roll on your pillow or temples and helps you sleep

Put your hair in plaits and bring shampoo and conditioner you should be able to shower on the ward.

Bring an eye mask and head phones / ear plugs for sure - other people snore.

Slippers.

Book/ tablet / charger with long cord.

That sounds really tough op sending you lots of love and good luck with your recovery x

Good call on the pegs, bag hook and grabber. Also good idea about the caddy. I love a bit of organisation.

Hospital pillows and blankets don't normally bother me, but that's only when I've had short visits. Think I'll invest in a new pillow for the hospital.

Will also get my own fan, the heat in hospitals is often unbearable for me.

Your own pillows - makes a massive difference!

Hope the surgery goes well xx

Some great suggestions.

Id also add a small room/pillow spray and an aromatherapy roller. Nice smells always make me feel more comfortable in hospital.

Wishing you all the best and hope your operation goes smoothly!

Own pillow as nurse above said .
I'd actually say own nice sheet and nightie for easy access to ports and cannulas - I was in hospital recently and found the hospital ones to be be too hot and itchy so maybe if you are the same , cotton loose ones or shorts / top PJs as wards are warm .
Own flannels etc , nice wash stuff & toiletries.
I couldn't wash my hair for a week and have shoulder length hair - I think a shorter cut might be a good idea . Living proof dry shampoo is amazing though .
Download fave shows on iPad for ease .
I'll try and think of other stuff ... hope all goes well

re washing hair: Shampoo Caps -like a shower cap, which you put on your head, massage for about three minutes, take off and your hair is clean. Much nicer than dry shampoo.

Spent 2 weeks in ICU; short hair, constant supply of loose, freshly laundered nightwear and most important - ear plugs!

After a couple of longer stays and visiting long term patients I have a list of things that are invaluable when you have time to prepare.

My list is ;
Headphones
ear plugs
Eye mask
Lip balm
hand cream
moisturiser
large hygiene wipes
Glasses
Spare glasses
Charger/s
USB plug
Light dressing gown
Large scarf for shoulders/ knees
several sets nightwear

plenty of pants
indoor footwear
Own mug
Own teabags(decaf)
Own pillow
Colourful pillow case (white gets mixed up in the laundry)
Distractions for waiting - magazine/book/puzzles/games on ipad
Hooks and pegs ( added because of this thread)
I leave valuables at home and only bring a small purse with coins for the shop and a Monzo card with small amount on it .

Good luck !

Hope things go well

Agree with a lot of the suggestions
Long charging wire for charging and a powebank as well as a clip on arm to hold it
Either a bumbag or carrier bag with a hook to keep things close by
Snoozeband headphones and potentially others for day
A flece poncho to where if cold and on an iv
Well cool clothing sells hospital pajamas or oodie sleep ts.
Some form of puzzle or fidget or craft. In itu they may well want less belongingsarround.

Cutting ur hair short could be a good idea

Shampoo in packet which is basically a hairnet - (Some dont need to be microwaved)

Afew books & Magazine, afew pens for the menu

Long cable phone charger & headphones

Ipad / laptop and Headphones

Baby wipes

Lip balm

Some soft Flannels

Eye mask & Ear plugs

Note pad / Pen

Scissors / Tweezers / Nail Clippers

Slippers / Flip flops for the toilet, Walking around

Squash to add to the water jug if you arent a big water drinker

Snacks that dont have to be stored in the fridge - Dry things too if you need a little something but have nausea

Hard boiled sweets

Your own pillow with afew pillow cases (bright cases so its not mistaken for the hospital ones)

I like to have my own antibacterial hand gel & Hand wipes too

If you have a bedside tv
Remember you can use it for free calls to landlines and the tv is also free in the mornings for awhile and the radio is free 24/7
So take Headphones that would fit the tv (The old style over ur head , headphones)

I would add anything to make toast edible eg jams

I'd second plenty of pants - you always need more than you think you will in hospital .