Tips for hospital stay and life in a sling afterwards please

[HeinousBeaker]

I’m having surgery on my arm in a couple of weeks. I have never been in hospital before! I even had my babies at home. Hopefully in and out as a day case but they’ve told me to bring overnight stuff just in case - which is fine, I can pack pyjamas and toiletries. They said to bring a dressing gown and ‘sensible shoes’ to walk to theatre in (she said crocs or slippers with a strap but I don’t have these so I’m thinking slip-on trainers should be fine - I appreciate I won’t be wanting to tie laces)
Just wondering what else it would be sensible to bring and if anybody has top tip for life in a sling afterwards? I've been told to bring shirts that button rather than trying to get anything over my head; and I just ordered a couple of front-fastening bras.
What should I wear when I go in? Like, comfy elasticated-waist trousers and a T-shirt? Am I massively overthinking the whole thing?

Bump

If your arm is going to be in a sling for some time, unless you need to wear a bra to support your breasts, you may find it easier to not wear one while in the sling (your arm is going to be covering your breasts). Have you got help at home? I broke my right shoulder and was in a sling for some time and found it difficult to do much cooking. And getting dressed was sometimes an ordeal that required assistance.

Depending on the surgery, some loose tops/tshirts. I’d rearranged my bedroom so things were more accessible, bedside table and so on and I also got some clothes out of drawers that I knew I wouldn’t be able to open one handed. Same for the kitchen.

Veteran of two shoulder breaks here.
Front fastening bras, elastic waisted trousers and button front tops are your friends. Also slip on shoes.
And if you have physio to do, don't neglect it!

How long will you be in a sling and does it have to be in the sling permanently?

Vaseline- lips get dry.
Poncho- sometimes corridors are chilly and you have something warm to protect you from El Nino 😂
A book as you will no doubt be waiting round

Buy a cheap xxl t shirt you can wear as a nightdress, that will fit over your sling.

Front fastening bra and button up pyjama tops. Take a long phone charger that reaches 3m. Take flip flops if you might need to use hospital bathroom/shower!

A decent bag that fits everything in it. I had to carry all my bits from the waiting room to basically outside the theatre door where it was popped in a cupboard but my coat didnt fit in the bag I brought so it got put in this bin bag tied to my bag and then I couldnt untue it or carry it easily after.

Some juice boxes in the overnight bag.

Easy food for home

DH is in a sling. He's bought a gadget to get his socks on and slip on trainers, had to switch sides of the bed, can't do anything that requires you to pick something up with both hands, except very limited at waist height stuff with the sling hand. it is really limiting. Obviously can't drive. Can't empty bins, can't do washing up or vacuuming, can't peg clothes on the line, has some difficulty getting on and off the sofa and in and out of bed. Can't do much cooking (air fryer is handy). Can't do his seatbelt up when someone else takes him out in the car. He is wearing short sleeved, baggy button front shirts and shorts with elastic.

Get a waterproof sleeve thing for the shower - although I found this very painful to get on and off (pins in broken wrist), and definitely couldn’t have done it myself.

I bought a couple of Molke bras that pull on over your head as I couldn’t use the fingers on the bad hand for doing up clasps. They were quite supportive too.

Extra pillows in bed for raising your arm above your head.

Thanks everybody, some very good tips here. I will have some help at home - DH is away the week of surgery but DD1 is 22 so competent to pick me up from the hospital and look after me - she will stay for 3 days, then my mum and dad will come. With their help and deliveroo / ready meals we will survive, even if they house is a tip by the time he gets back.
I don't know whether I will have a sling until the block wears off (nor how long that means) or for a month - two different nurses told me two different things.
Hadn't thought of struggling to put socks on!

Oh yes to extra pillows, DH has got a giant wraparound one. He hasn't had surgery so doesn't need cover for the shower but DS had one of the covers when he broke his wrist and it was hard work to get on and off.

I struggled with a Molke bra with no injuries or impairments!

@Expertlydecluttering you’ve brought it all back - yes it was so debilitating. I’d forgotten that I had to change sides in bed.
I also couldn’t open the car door myself as the cast was on my left hand - unfortunately the dominant one.

Op I realy wouldn’t worry about the hospital, I honestly don’t remember what I wore but a t-shirt (maybe wide necked) and loose trousers should be fine. I was gowned and socked up then wheeled down to surgery on a trolley, which I though was normal practice.

Yes, DH is right hand and that's his dominant arm so no writing, limited typing (he's using dictation), he can get in and out of the car but can't do up the seatbelt he has to pass it to me to plug in and unplug. Everything he can do takes longer.

If you want to wear a bra afterwards either one with detachable straps or a pull on crop top. Elasticated waists and loose fit tops/shirts. Slip on shoes. You may have bulky dressings to start with and be bruised and sensitive to touch. I was given socks with grip soles by the hospital to wear to theatre and around the ward, you will likely have to wear compression socks too. You may need to sleep semi reclined, a v shaped cushion may help.

Forgot to mention V shaped pillow, really helpful for sleeping but also sitting on sofa.