Small wheely case for 7 day hospital stay?

[IslandLulu]

I'll be having abdominal surgery soon and have been putting some things together in a small holdall for my hospital stay.

I've just found out that due to covid I will need to enter the hospital alone, no visitors either.

When I'm discharged, DH will need to collect me from the hospital entrance.

I'm thinking that after surgery I might not be up to carrying a holdall through the corridors. So should I take a small wheeled case which will be easier for me to pull along?

I'll have my own room as it's a private hospital, but I'm still not sure if it's appropriate to take a case in with me.

Any advice please?

I think it’s a good idea.

I always took a cabin case for giving birth. They are ideal as they stand up so take up less room in reality. Take a small tote bag too and a small pouch you fit all vulnerables in to lock up.

I'm not sure about general surgery but I cant see why a case wouldny be ok? Primark do nice hard case ones that expand with two separate zip up sides. My son has his used weekly for two years

Oh and take a good few old carrier bags to put your dirty washing into while you wait to go home.

I'm glad you both think it's a good idea too!

I was just worried about getting some looks from the nurses for being a bit over the top.

Thanks for the laundry tip, great idea.

You wont get funny looks honestly. In reality they take up less space than a gym bag. The area by the beds is so small. You get a little bedside table which seemed lockable but I never saw a key and on the other side a chair. So a gym bag would go under the chair as your encouraged to get up and sit in the chair.

Then a cleaner pops up every few hours wanting to wash the floor! With a trolley case you can keep it on its wheels upright and have your own padlock. If you have a small tote then you can just decant your clothes etc for the day into the tote bag and no need to lift the case.

Plus if your in pain just after the OP you can really organise a little case, no fear of everything getting lost at the bottom. I dont know what is like during covid, but when I had my babies thr midwifes would ask if you had a clean nighty or a baby grow and it was just a case of saying " it's in the top zipped side of the case".

Possibly worth asking where your bag goes during the OP, and what you will need after that day. Put all that into a smaller bag like the tote or even at the top of the case so you dont have to lift anything just fish it out.

In normal times they put your bags on your bed or the trolley they wheel you about on so that part isnt a hassle anyway.

I hope it all goes well. Dont be afraid to use their gowns to save on washing ( one with the back open and another over the top like a nightgown to save your modesty 😂) they are quite comfy too, unless your tall....

I always advise ppl to wear their own nightwear. It makes ppl feel less like a patient and tbey feel more assertive.
Ideally if you and when you can get dressed and have a walk round the ward area. Although im not sure what space youll be allowed.

If you've got your own room I think it'll be fine. I've stayed on a ward in an nhs hospital and there wasn't me really much space so had to put everything, including my bag in the bedside cabinet but in both private rooms I've had there was space to stand it by the side of the cabinet or in the corner of the room. I took mine last time I was in as I went on the train.