Going in for day surgery and wondering what to take?

[Mydoghealsmyheart]

I’m due to go in for day surgery soon and I’m thinking about what I should take with me. I know you can sometimes be waiting all day for your surgery slot or else be called as soon as you arrive but usually there’s a bit of a wait.
anybody recommend things to pass the time and keep me from thinking of food and drink!

I’d take a book to read and some magazines. Download anything you want to watch onto a phone or IPad pad to use with earphones. There was no mobile signal while I was waiting and the WiFi didn’t work. I was there for 5 1/2 hours before I was moved to a room to get ready. Only had a signal afterwards. Take a mobile charger as well.

I would download podcasts or an audio book over films but that's personal preference only :)

I'm assuming you already know to take dressing gown & slippers? Hospitals cam be draughty to make sure you have something warm & comfy to sit in.

Comfy clothes and depending on what having done comfy for traveling home in.
Power pack for phone as might need a charge boost.

They are brilliant ideas, thank you. I will get ordering!

I would also say take as little as possible and nothing of value. Your belongings may not be locked away whilst you are under.

A puzzle book too. When a bit apprehensive I can't focus on reading, puzzles can be more manageable.

I’ve had several day surgery operations.
Apart from the suggestions so far:

Snacks/drinks for post-surgery.

They do often suggest dressing gown and slippers, but I’ve never used a dressing gown, and it’s bulky to pack away.

Remember to take off any jewellery and leave it at home.

Your admissions staff will complete a personal property form documenting what you bring in. Obviously don't bring your Rolex and your Louboutins but a phone and kindle should be fine. Most day surgery units will give you either a morning or afternoon admission time (7am or 11 am, usually), some have three admission slots. If you are on the 7am take, you can expect to have your surgery in the morning and not be waiting around all day. Hope it all goes well

I’ve never had a personal property form done, and I’ve had several day surgery procedures. I’ve also had operations cancelled after waiting at the hospital all day nil by mouth, and then told to come back the next day, so be prepared.

Do you still get given those blue socks to wear that have the grippy side underneath? Just wondering if I can save space by avoiding slippers. Also, I won’t be able to have anything around my waist area afterwards so leggings, jeans etc are out. Any ideas on what I can wear to go home in? I’m thinking loose pyjamas but not dangerously loose that they risk falling down.

A dress? Dungarees? Jumpsuit? Onesie?

I waited from 7am and didn’t go to surgery until 2pm. Time actually passed very quickly and I just spent time on my phone as no family or friends were allowed to wait. I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate on a book so watched TikToks and text my friends.

The first couple of hours are taken up by various people popping in to do checks. They had me change into my gown, and measured for stockings by 8am. They take your obs, label your bag, speak to the anaesthetic team and then the surgeon comes around.

I was just in for surgery a few weeks back and bought this set. The dressing gown is super light so packs down small. And the set is really light and soft. It felt very luxe actually which I was surprised with for TU.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc145144865

I also took flat slip on croc sliders. Light, grippy and also packs down small. Can wear with compression socks.
https://www.crocs.co.uk/p/bayaband-slide/205392.html?cid=007&sid=M8W10&adid=shopping_google_uk_brand__BL%7CCrocs%7CPerformanceMax%7CUK%7CSandals%7CAll%7CAll%7C_20269275822__c&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cS-BhDGARIsABg4_J1rSA3HyoWk0QVB-U8XDIkF8yoqtJhvCNztnTHQMjDJ1T_FXxWf1VAaAvW8EALw_wcB

Also snacks for after.

I took a puzzle book for before and phone with 2m charger for after.

I've just picked up a friend who was in the morning slot. He arrived at 5.30 a.m. because he wanted to get there early and hoped to be the first one in. He eventually went to theatre at 5.00 p.m and rang me to say he'd be on the ward at 6.30. So I went to pick him up then - and we left the hospital at 10.15! So I'd say take whatever keeps you occupied😊

Oh it’s funny actually! All the Sainsbury’s reviews are also people who bought for hospital 🤣

He must have been very bored, poor thing! There's no point turning up early in the hope of being first in, the operating list will already be written up. Obviously the order might change, but it isn't influenced by what time patients arrive.

There’s no point in buying clothes or nightwear specifically. They give you two gowns with one to use as a dressing gown and you’ll be asked to change into it asap so that when they come to take you to theatre you’re all set to go.
They measure you for stockings and give you grippy socks.

It’s better to use all their stuff so you aren’t wondering where your gown and slippers have went to as they come off in the anaesthetic room.

Yes, this.

OP a dress so as not to be held around the waist? Drawstring trousers you can leave loosely tied? Honestly, the only key thing for me, and I had three different day surgeries during Covid, is lots of reading material.

For before I take a book to read during the wait. I’d take charger if phone battery can’t last all day. Headphones.

I take slippers or something easy to slip on feet to go to the bathroom. You will have stockings on and need to keep them on in your bed at home so you want them to be clean.

I take a big bottle of water for after. Depending on how far down the list you are, you could have been several hours without any so I don’t want to have to keep asking for cups.

A hair tie and some lip balm for after. Maybe some wipes.

Soft clothes that are comfy and easy to pull on if you can’t bend over or have sore torso from op. Something warm just in case as the blankets are quite thin.

They usually give coffee/tea and biscuits or a sandwich after.

I’ve sometimes wished for an eye mask when I have had a really long wait as was hard to rest with the lights.

I put my things in a soft tote that can go in a locker. Don’t take any valuables.

Honestly, I’ve never taken more than just my well charged phone (and I’ve had a lot of day surgeries). There’s usually a lot of stuff they need to do with you before. And then once you’re done, as soon as you’re up and had a cuppa and a biscuit, they want you out the door.

depends how you get home but I would suggest a long maxi style dress and slip on shoes as you may not be able to bend down to tie shoes

I’m so grateful for everyone’s ideas, thank you. I’ve ordered a power bank so my phone can be charged if necessary. I was going to take my iPad but now I’m worrying where to keep it whilst I’m having the operation. I’m going to a “surgical hub” where I’ve never been before so I don’t even know if they’ll have lockers, beds even!

Not sure about a surgical hub but I was in a room and then a ward and they both had lockers at the side of the bed. I wouldn’t take anything valuable though so perhaps a phone is better than an iPad.
I didn’t get my bag labelled etc but I would recommend a dressing gown. I was freezing even with extra blankets afterwards. But I did have to stay in for 24 hours after an adverse reaction so think ahead and plan for all eventualities.
Hopefully it’ll go well and you won’t need them but I took some travel toiletries and they came in handy as I desperately needed a shower the next day.
You should get some leaflets with advice beforehand as well? So no makeup and take off any nail polish if there’s any chance of a general anaesthetic.

I’ve never had a locker. I had to keep my bag on a chair next to the bed while in theatre.