Hospital Bag For Surgery?

[DogMommy]

Not an AIBU but it's where the best place for advice. Long time user but changed my username as other posts are very outing.

I am going for surgery on my stomach (not child related) in a few weeks and I need to pack a small suitcase as I will be there for a few days. I am struggling with where to start, can you all recommend what you would pack for surgery please?

Many thanks in advance I really can't think today x

Extra long charging cables
Nightdress rather than pjs if will need a catheter

You won't have room for contents of a suitcase, you need one pair of PJs or joggers/teashirt. Change of undies and basic toiletries. The most important thing is decent earplugs and a charger. Good luck.

Lip balm
Flannel and soap of your choice (nurses will use post op)
Wipes
Drinks
Charger
Slippers you don't mind chucking or can wash
Pants
Nighties and dressing gown (they'll get you out of bed quickly)
Snacks (depending on what surgery you have )
Squash
A book (you'll be bored)

Baby wipes.

Nightdress, slippers, undies, jumper or dressing gown, ear plugs, headphones, phone charger, book, wash bag, hair brush, maybe some face wipes to freshen up with. Hope all goes well 🙂

Lots of good suggestions already.
added extras:
if you prefer trackie bottoms or PJs make sure they are loose and with wide waist band given it’s stomach surgery (but nightie prob better)
Noise cancelling headphones

Dry shampoo if you're likely to be stuck in bed for a day or two.

Other than pjs etc...

Tablet with plenty downloaded incase of crap WiFi
Books/Kindle
Snacks
Face wipes
Phone charger - long length
Air buds
Diluting juice

Charger, toiletries, hairbrush etc, baby wipes, small mirror, dressing gown, nightdresses, thick/thin socks, slippers, underwear. Good luck x

Flexible device holder that can clamp to the hospital bed. Saw several of those and they looked very handy for watching things on your phone in whatever position is most comfortable.

Peppermint tea bags/ peppermint oil capsules. Abdominal surgery often results in trapped air in weird places and can be very painful. Peppermint helps to disperse.

Our local hospital don't have TVs at the beds, one ward had none at all and another ward had 1 up in the corner of the room that everyone watched. You will have lots of spare time so take a tablet or something you can watch downloaded content on.

Moisturiser
Lip balm
Wash stuff

Nighties
Slippers
Dressing gown

Change for vending machines
Cash and card for little shop if you need top up magazines/crossword books
Pen for crossword

Little squeeze bottles of super concentrated squash to make the ever present lukewarm jug of water more palatable.

All the above, plus:
a kindle
plenty of change - my local hospital has a tablet thing you can buy a card for. You can use it to watch TV, get online and make calls.
Hair ties if your hair is longish
Headphones so you can listen to music

Thank you everyone they are all great suggestions I will go out tomorrow to start buying a few bits x

I took flip flops but that was childbirth. No bending down to put on. Good for the bathrooms. Small note pad or a folded A4 of paper to make note if something pops into your head. I had a power bank to charge up and a USB splitter but I had that already. Earplugs are a must. Buy the laser lite ones off ebay. Cheapie brush and comb from Primark. The lady in the bay next to me thought my stuff was hers, if she wanted it, it cost 90p. Maybe if your near primark a cheap tiny luggage padlock for your valuables, the staff told me on emergency admission I was about to be robed blind ( I wasn't). Lots of carrier bags or small bin liners for dirty stuff. I seemed to come out with more than I went in with ( lockdown, no visitors dh and friends could give me stuff no one could take anything). Baby Wipes and or flannels as the ward shower was full of wheelchairs and commodes. Maybe there a nice light spray of something smelly like the cheap superdrug bodyspray. I was on my 5th month of loosing smell after covid and it was finally handy as I could only shower twice in a week. All your regular prescription meds and a list of them too.