If you've been on a hospital ward recently...

[KenAdams]

...was it boiling or freezing? Wonder what to pack - I'm a naturally cold person and due to the nature of my surgery some of my normal clothing won't be suitable.

I'm also packing some noise cancelling headphones so I can sleep as I'm very sensitive to noise.

Anything else I'll need? I take it you need your own shampoo, shower gel and towel? No one has really told me what to bring it re personal items.

I was recently in for six weeks. I was so glad to have my laptop brought in so I could watch Netflix - my surgery was delayed for a month, so I was feeling OK up until then, but just bored. An extra long charging cable was helpful as well.

Hot as hell, but it was summer.

think everyone has covered it really.

best wishes!!

Some might be repeats as it's late when I was reading the thread

Snacks
Squash/a drink you like
Anything you like food wise to add to meals (I took a mini bottle of hot sauce!)
Lip balm
I took heated eye masks, the disposable ones. Feel nice and then helped me fall asleep
A sleep/soft/wireless bra meant I felt less exposed
Body or baby wipes to freshen up
Your own pillow if you're going to be in for a few days

Everything covered but third the extra long charging cable. There will be plenty of plug sockets but a 1m cable may not be long enough to be comfortable.
Short sleeves with extra layer will be useful for obs and bloods. Hopefully any cannulas will be in the back of your hand.
Whether you need snacks/food will depend on quality of food. Ours serve dinner at 5pm which usually means I need a snack between then and bedtime.

2 new clean towels have always been provided every morning no matter what hospital / ward iv been in

How comes everyone is saying bring ur own towels?
Where will you hang towels to dry?

Any regular medication and inhalers. Forgot this. They will likely sort this but there was an almighty cock up somewhere along the line which meant I went without one for several days.

I was given towels both times.

Ear plugs
Eye shield
A Extra long phone lead
Antibacterial gel & Antibacterial wipes
Lip balm
Hand cream
Tissues
Juice to dilute the water
Snacks
Magazine / Book / Puzzle Book etc
Slippers / Flip flops
Shampoo / Conditioner / Body-wash
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Flannel
Hairbrush / Comb
Spare scrunchy
Pj’s / Nightdresses

If you are in for awhile:
Nail clippers
Couple of your own pillow cases
(Colourful so they dont take them)

Sleep mask
Books
iPad
Headphones and earplugs
Moisturiser and lip balm
Hair band or hair tie
Dressing gown
Possibly extension lead as some of the plug sockets aren't close enough

What I was thinking. Own towels are not a thing on our wards for this very reason.
Own pillows or duvets are not allowed either.

To anyone taking in a tablet or planning to watching anything on your phone, please use headphones.
It's very rude to subject others to whatever you are watching or listening to.

The towels I was offered were more like hand towel sized.

I took in my hooded beach/swimming towel and glad I did as it offered a degree of privacy for getting dried and changed by my bedside. The bathroom was tiny and always wet everywhere so didn't want to take dry clothes in with me.

I just hung it over the back of the chair and given how hot it was it dried quickly.

I have a blackout eye mask and a long charger. Can borrow DH changing robe as well, thank you.

Just had an operation yesterday and I was in the surgical ward and luckily could go
home later that day.

It was so hot I actually thought I was ill. The man next to me felt the same. But I have had night stays where it does get cool so a mix is good.

Hope all goes well.

In my case, I always found that they put the little old lady right near the window and they didn’t want the window open because they were getting cold when the rest of us were getting hot and we should’ve been closer to the window LOL

I've just been in hospital overnight and I was cold! I was next to a window and it couldn't shut. (Stuck)

The most important thing for me when I go in is to take my own pillow. I like a soft feather pillow I can mould to the shape I need, so I bought a small feather cushion pad and put that in a pillowcase.

Otherwise - all other suggestions good - I take snacks, a water bottle (pouring water from a jug in the middle of the night can be a bit hit and miss), chargers, books,. Don't forget to take your current meds IN THEIR PACKETS. I also take my own decaffeinated tea and coffee and sweeteners because I don't like what the hospital has. If there is something you are used to eating at home that you would find it difficult not to have, some of that, if you think it will be allowed. Muesli for breakfast, honey, ryvita, whatever you are used to. Where I live breakfast at the hospital is cornflakes, rice crispies or bran flakes, and white or brown toast with jam or marmalade. Sometimes they can find marmite. So if you are used to a different cereal or you always have nutella, bring that in. If you like raisins on your cereal, bring that in. If you like a banana, bring that in. Different hospitals do different meals, but if there is something that you would really miss, best to bring it in yourself.

Freezing, had full on air con which we could turn up or down. I took a small personal fan in as I was expecting to be boiling but didn't need to use it.

Don't worry too much about taking everything.

Home comforts are nice but they will make sure you have everything you NEED.

I was admitted for a severe gallbladder infection a few years ago during Covid when visitors weren't allowed so no one could bring me anything.

I'd made my own way to A&E so had my handbag with toothbrush and toothpaste because I'd been being sick, a cardi I'd thrown in my bag as I left and my chargers because I wasn't sure how long I'd be in A&E.

I was there 5 days in the end with no clothes or toiletries. They sorted me out with hospital gowns, not flattering but functional, toiletries which were a bit medical in scent but got me clean, towels were provided to everyone and the little shop was open so I could buy a few extra bits as needed.

I forgot my hairbrush... twice. Had to get DH to go get it.
And agree with others, layers and a dressing gown.

Agree on towels - they will give you towels but they are very small so a big bath sheet is nice, or a towelling dressing gown.

Flipflops or rubber sandals for the shower because if you don't have a private room you'll be standing in the water left by the last person, and if you are lucky enough to get a private room you'll have a wetroom and need the sandals if you want to go in to use the loo.

It will generally be very warm. Summer pyjamas.

I can't sleep in noise-cancelling headphones as I am a side-sleeper but earplugs with bone-conduction headphones works.

Get a very long phone charger wire - the nearest plug may be a way away.

It was on the chilly side. I took my own pyjamas plus spares, and a warm dressing gown.
I absolutely couldn’t have done without my Kindle, plus charger of course.

It can depend what surgery, I had DIEP and it was incredibly hot, around 40C though in my experience the NHS its either ridiculously hot or freezing cold.

They weren't keen on me taking much stuff at all and also wasn't up to using much. They supplied towels, there is soap and handgel in there and they give you a gown. It's mainly to have nicer stuff you bring your own, should say on your letter what to bring.

Oooh why do meds need to be in their packets please?

I'm happy with a simple breakfast but the seasoning is a good shout.

@KenAdams Meds need to be in their original packets so that they can be identified easily. You might find that, if you are on a lot of different meds like me, they want you to stop taking something and it is important that it is easy to see what you are, and aren't, taking. If you are in for any length of time they should give you what you need, but if it's only overnight they might not have what you need on the ward drugs trolley. Also - I need to take at least one of mine before I eat, and another couple with food. The drugs round was always after breakfast, by quite some time, so it was impossible to do that. You should always ensure the nurses are aware of what drugs you have with you and what you intend to take, however, in case you need to stop something for any reason.

There is a company called freshwipes that do large size wipes to clean your body which may make you feel cooler and cleaner if you can't shower. There is another company called Luna that do an antibacterial spray that you can use anywhere. I have very sensitive skin and they were great for me when I was stuck in bed.

Phone chargers often plug sockets are not within reach. Get one of these:

amzn.eu/d/bo9eAsh

Good luck with your op

Take a bottle of squash to make the disgusting water drinkable.
And some emergency biscuits in case the food is awful as it usually is.