Help me write a pre-surgery shopping list!

[Northernlightx]

I’ll shortly be having a procedure, it will be keyhole so I expect to be on my feet fairly soon after but will be signed off and not driving for a few weeks. I live on my own and I’m trying to plan ahead to make sure I have everything I need without needing to go to the shops.

Please can you suggest what might make my life easier when I’m out of action?

Lots of easy meals, lots of pasta and pasta sauce (or you could make the sauce and freeze) lots of cheese

Pies and ready meals for the freezer

Micro rice snd micro pasta

I love instant noodles when I'm poorly

Tablet and a 3m charger (for hospital and home)

Best of luck with the surgery x

I’d make sure you are stocked up on loo rolls , bin liners , washing up liquid , all the sort of stuff that if you run out will be a pain to get. Also batch cook meals and put in freezer for easy defrost and microwave . Get a few tins of soup and quick snacks if you don’t feel like doing anything. Freeze some bread .
As you said, it will be keyhole surgery and won’t affect you too long term but you want to be resting as much as possible .

Thank you both, so glad I asked as this is exactly the type of advice I need. Toilet roll is such a good shout, I suddenly thought of paracetamol the other day which sounds so obvious but if I don’t think of it I wouldnt have it in.

Roughage so you don't get constipated. That's the last thing you want after surgery. All the best.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen if you’re allowed to take them. Chocolate and treats. X

Make up meals with mince ( mine would be veggie ) and do individual cottage pies , lasagna , spaghetti bol , for easy meals .
On my list would be crackers , cheese , soups , a packet of biscuits , cereal , milk , fruit and veg ( some of it frozen ) loo rolls , cereal bars / flapjacks . Loo rolls , pain killers , make sure you've got enough of any prescribed medication.
I could survive a week with the above .

How about heading to the library to pick up a few good reads? If you want luxury in addition to the essentials, you could buy new PJs / sofa wear (Tesco have some lovely soft joggers and matching jumpers) sometimes lifts my mood just having a nice set on. Maybe add some telly series or films to your watch list now so no need to browse when you're in the mood to watch something. Some nice face treats so you can have a mini pamper session if you're up to it. Cosy throw if you're sitting for long periods of time which might save having the heating on lots. Not for everyone but I like the big cartons of alternative milk, lasts so much longer than normal milk (solo person too). Tea / coffee you might be drinking more if sat in. Do you have Deliveroo / Uber for any must have food deliveries?

New book nice bubble bath maybe posher tea/coffee than normal, pharmacy items soluble paracetamol dextrose tablets incase GA makes you feel nauseous xx

I second this, also some dried fruit and senna in case the roughage doesn’t cut it.

I’d recommend making meals in advance that you can just get out and heat up for at least the first couple of days. Also have a think about what you always really fancy when you’re poorly and get plenty of that in.

Make sure all your washing is done before you go in and the house is clean, so you dont have to wash any clothes for a while, sheets and towels too. I would also get some disposable plates and cups to cut down on washing up for the first few days. Then make sure you have a set up by your bed and by a comfy chair with everything you will need, so chargers, tissues, water bottle, cozy blanket, cushions/pillows,lamp, snacks etc, so you dont have to haul everything between spots if you want a cha ge of scene. I have a little trolley I can push around with my breakfast and tea, tissues and medicines when I am post surgery, its very helpful as it snugs up against the bed or my chair. I got it very inexpensively on Amazon.

then set up some food deliveries, so you know you have slots. Maybe sign up for uber eats or similar and give it a test run.

I am currently off work in same situation and husband abroad this week.
Dulcolax or Senna or you are to be on strong painkillers, as well as lots of paracetamol.
If Arm surgery then food you can eat one handed.
Sort soft, easy to put on and wear clothes (vest tops to replace bras, trousers/leggings that can be pulled on one handed
If leg (using crutches etc) then a flask for carrying hot drinks from the kitchen without spilling
A bag to help carry things around. (I have been stuck at home on crutches before, made a sandwich in kitchen and realised only way of moving it to lounge or table to eat was to put in a box, in a bag, as both hands on crutches. Similarly, with an arm out of action, the good one is needed on the bannister so anything that needs carrying has to be in an over shoulder bag.)
Chocolates and sweet treats to pick you up, fruit and easy snacks
I did a lot of batch cooking the weekend before, and also stocked up on easy/ready meals.
Good luck

It sounds like everyone has covered it to be honest but just wanted to say I hope it goes well and don't be afraid to ask for help after if you need it.

I couldn’t go more than a week or so without needing fresh food, can you not do an online shop?

Agree with batch cooking. And an easy-reach store of chocolate 😁

Also make sure you can shower/bathe easily without having to stretch or reach for things. And lay out all your clean clothes and underwear!

Make or buy a few different types of soup, so if you're feeling tired you can have something easy but nutritious to eat. Think about easy snacky food too - cheese and crackers, pita bread and dips etc.

And I think you shouldn't try to have everything in for 3 or 4 weeks - do an online shop or two and get them delivered, to reduce the stress.

Your appetite is bound to be a bit supressed with painkillers so why not get a few nice and naughty treats to treat yourself? some nice chocolate a tin or packets nice biscuits or some savouries.
def need something to stop you getting too constipated and lot of painkillers too
to pass the time perhaps a puzzle book a jigsaw puzzle or maybe some good books
wish you all the luck with your op

Dry shampoo in case you can’t shower for a couple of days.
olives/ cheese/ chutney/ crackers/ sun blush tomatoes etc for easy no cook food .
emergency chocolate
bread (one to freeze)
quiche (one to freeze)
cereal if you eat it. Milk (longer life)
replenish any oil/herbs/ spices you may need
sanitary products
painkillers
easy meals
batteries just in case

If you like soup, you could make a big batch, and portion up, and freeze. It will be important to nourish your body with good food, to aid healing. Homemade nutritious, easy freezable meals will be much better for you post op.

Could you do an online shop if needed for fresh food?
Get long life milk for the cupboard.
Freeze some bread/rolls or get those bake in the oven baguettes.
For keyhole surgery, I wouldn't expect you to be debilitated for weeks, but clearly depends on the surgery?

Are you expecting to be on opiate analgesia afterwards? Tramadol/codeine based? I agree with getting a laxative, but would recommend laxido/movicol sachets instead of say senna or ducolax. Short term use is fine, but longer term senna and possibly ducolax, the bowel becomes dependent on it. Movicol is often given post op and doesn't have the same dependency on the bowel.

Do you have a thermometer, to check you don't have a fever post-op and could indicate an infection.

Are they arranging a district nurse to check your wounds and remove the stitches/staples, or will you have this done at your GP surgery or back at the outpatients at the hospital? Can you arrange a taxi/friend/transport for this? I'd have some small dressing at home, incase whatever they have put on get wet/fall off etc.

Have the phone number of the surgeon/secretary/ward on hand, if needed post op.

Wishing you all the best x

Food to nibble if you don't feel like a full meal.

Hummus
Baby carrots
Pita chips
Popcorn
A fancy breakfast cereal or one you love
Cheese
Eggs
Nuts
Apples
Protein drink
Decent bread and freeze some
Cold cuts
Jam
Greek yogurt in individual pots
Herbal or green tea

I find that you can get most things next day via Amazon! Recently Ive got cat litter, lightbulbs, a new ipad charger and a giant bag of dishwasher tablets.

If not done already, register with your local library. Most councils have signed up for an app to borrow e-audiobooks for free. Just Google your county/city's council libraries and you get to the home page for libraries.

Libraries round here use BorrowBox. There is one licence per book. If someone has it on their device, you can reserve them. When its your turn, you get an email stating this and do you wish to borrow the ebook.

Part baked rolls. Usually have a 6 week shelf life. I am feeling not very well today. I cooked them in the Ninja Speedi for 20c less and 5 mins less than in the oven

Is Roughage a specific thing or is it a general term for high fibre food? I have tried googling 😂

Thank you so much for all your suggestions.. it almost makes me look forward to all the treats you’re encouraging me to stock up on ☺️. And some really good ideas, especially replenishing the batteries in my thermometer.

I’m not great at watching telly… so yes I’ll try and get some recommendations lined up from friends. I have a big pile of books I’d like to read but I’m not sure I’ll feel up
to that immediately.