Hospital Bags Post-Surgery

[Fraaahnces]

Hi everyone, I’m waiting for a very big surgery. I will be in ICU for about a week initially, so won’t need pajamas at this time. After that, I will be on a ward for 2-3 weeks. I’m going to pack a small overnight bag for the first bit and a bigger bag with pajamas and sweats, etc… Any hints? A master list??? I’m bricking it and can’t think straight. I promise I will pack my toothbrush.

Eye mask
Ear plugs
Long charging cord/plug/battery pack
Headphones or AirPods
Wet wipes
Squash
Snacks
Own pillow? I take a blanket as well
Dressing gown
Slippers
I tend to have a tshirt and shorts as get too hot or pjs.
Wash stuff
Something to read/knit/crochet etc
Coins incase you still get the trolley come round with mags papers etc

Hope all goes well

Oooh… Squash is a good one. I’m not going to be in a position to enjoy fizzy drinks at all. I think some of those concentrated drops are a great idea! I might make up a snack bag. (Although is it a good idea? Will it make it to the hospital?)
Thank you… Not getting much sleep atm.

Will need t shirts or pjs with button up tops. Won’t be able to pull things over my head.

Zip up jumper/hoodie?

Maybe pillow/cushion/blanket from home ?

I would say spend big on pure silk sleep mask - the one from Drowsy excellent with top reviews as it covers well and blocks out everything (actually blocks a bit of sound too) - almost £70 but discount for first time buyers I think. Like wearing a comforting silky cloud.

Ive just recently spent an unexpected couple of weeks in hospital, and the list above is great. Definitley the squash drops things. Books (nothing too complicated, I struggled a bit to concentrate). Headphones (I spent a lot of time listening to podcasts).

I also got some no rinse hair wash caps off Amazon, as my hair needed washing when I went in, and I couldn’t really wash it on the ward. They weren’t as good as washing it properly, but they certainly made it better than it was otherwise.

Lip balm and moisturiser. I felt really dried out. I also had a few bottles of water. Although they brought jugs round I was drinking quite a bit, so it was nice to know I had extra there when I needed it.

Note pad and pen. Handy to keep a record of what was the plan, how I was, questions I had for different health care professionals. Everything kind of merges, so it’s handy to keep a track of what was happening.

Books or loaded kindle!

Definitely looking up the no rinse hair wash caps. Maybe some dry shampoo as well. I have ordered an eye mask with Bluetooth speakers as I am already an insomniac. I have a slightly weighted, padded eye mask as well. I am loading all kinds of lightweight (aka trashy 😆) books onto the kindle. Notepad and pen is brilliant plan. I have a very silly usb heating pad/pillow cat thing that arrived yesterday. Works a treat! I think my own pillow is definitely a good idea. Last extended stay I spent a lot of time battling the hospital ones.

All of the above.
Noise cancelling headphones. A very long cable for charging. A tablet as well as a phone.
Wet wipes.
Plastic bags to put dirty clothes in to hand over to visitors. Leave some clean pants and nightwear at home ready for family to pick up and bring in when you need them.
I've been in on emergency and explaing to DH what I wanted him to bring and where to locate it was difficult.

All of these are fabulous too - especially the long cable!!! I might even throw in a power board! I remember what a PITA it was to charge my phone last time. I might also put in my big cup (knockoff Stanley cup) to keep water cold.

If you take your own pillow, put it in a pillowcase that is not white. Saves it getting mistaken for a hospital pillow/pillowcase.
Flipflops/sliders to wear in the shower.

You lot are brilliant thanks!!! The pillowcase advice is amazing.

Are you on any regular medication? If so take a few days supply with you. And keep it in its original packing. I was recently in for 4 days and didn't get a couple of my meds because they weren't stock at the hospital.

I have just ordered 2x 3m long cables. I have a power board. The meds are a good idea -esp the HRT. Nobody needs heart surgery and hot flushes!!! I am going to order a new pillow as mine is tatty and some silk pillowcases. Also a couple of shampoo caps. I have two hair turbans to dry my hair.

I took an extension lead for charging various devices so that I could reach them.

Great idea re the extension lead! One of my ways to cope with stress is to feel as organised as possible. This is definitely helpful. I really appreciate these suggestions. Have also decided a notepad and pens for writing messages to family & friends will be useful too.

I took bed bath wipes in with me and also used them for months for my mil. I really rate them.
Did anyone mention ear plugs? I use the wax ones as I have small ear canals and can make them my size.
Check if your library offers Libby service as you can borrow books, audio books and magazines that you can access through phone or tablet.
Fruit tea bags, I went right off tea and coffee.
I took my things in soft bags that I could stuff into the bedside locker and tried to separate similar things into different small bags so I could get someone to grab me “the purple bag” when I needed something.

I also took a thin cloth shoulder bag for when I was able to get up to go to the bathroom, to carry stuff.

How much data do you have per month? I have unlimited so didn’t need to use the fire hospital Wi-Fi.

Fire= Dire

The WiFi is good, I have small mesh toiletry bags sorted into hair, face and body. From what I gather, I won’t be able to hoist anything over my shoulders. Makeup is in another small bag but I don’t think I will be using much of that. As long as I have my lip balm I’m good. I have a packet of baby wipes for when I’m bed-bound and some antibac wipes and hand gel. Also some breath freshener spray.

crocs for walking to the bathroom / loo

eye mask

phone charging cable + charging pack if possible

Headphones for phone

eye mask / lip balm

I have some plastic flip flops - no way are my feet touching that floor 🤢
I am ordering some Japanese-style pajamas (kimono tops I would happily wear in the summer over a vest)
oooh I need a Robe
Just bought some mini Laneige lip masks (essentials)
And my genius moment - elastic shoelaces so I don’t have to bend

Will you be having a regular visitor? I would bag up 2-3 days of clothing that they can bring in and swap out for the worn stuff to wash. Firstly because there is so little storage in hospital and also it can be a real clat trying to rummage through a big bag when you're tired and sore.

Good luck, I hope all goes well!

My husband and kids will come in. I think packaging clean underwear and PJ’s in ziplock bags for them to bring in is a great idea. They can take home the dirty ones on ziplocks for DH to wash. (He’s a keeper.)
My three best friends will come in when they’re allowed. They will bring anti hospital food and fresh juices etc. (God love ‘em, they did a brilliant job last time!) I have ordered a large tote bag with wheels so I don’t need to carry it. DH will when he’s dropping me and picking me up etc, but if I need anything from it, it’s good to have it. A couple of tote bags to carry the clean and dirty clothes could be doable. My lovely colleague gave me a gift set of skincare minis her MIL gifted her because she knows I like KBeauty and she won’t use these as she’s
vegan. I will put them directly into the hospital bags.