Advice for hospital stay please

[Roomwithaview2019]

Hi ladies. Im due to have a hysterectomy in a couple of weeks and wanted some advice about the kind of clothes I should take to hospital from anyone who has the experience or similar managing that kind of wound. Are trousers OK or is it best to take in nighties ... with or without buttons. I need to get a few bits but dont want to waste money on anything that wont be good. I feel like im being stupid and should know. I went to marks today and just couldn't pick anything 🤦‍♀️. Please help

Take nighties and size up. You don’t want anything that might press on any incisions. If it’s being done laparoscopically the top incision is usually above the belly button so you might also want to get a pack of maternity knickers so that nothing is sitting with a waistband on any of the wounds.

Take your own water bottle, and lip balm and hair ties. The single most important thing you can take are noise cancelling headphones and an eye mask - the ward is LOUD.

Oh the other thing that’s handy for any abdominal surgery is a pair of those yoga pants with the roll down waist.

Not advice for hospital but please listen when they tell you to take it easy afterwards. My mum felt OK so did things she had been told not to and generally didn't rest enough. She developed an incision hernia and had to have further surgery to correct it which was almost as bad as the original surgery.
Hope it goes well and take your time after!

Definitely take the eye mask for sleeping as they leave low lights on all night, take some form of entertainment, either books & magazines or a tablet with headphones if they're allowed as the tv's in hospital wards cost a fortune. Flip flops to wear in the shower, especially if you're having to share it with others on the ward , slippers because again you don't want to be in bare feet anywhere in hospital. I don't know how long you're going in for but some biscuits/crisps/ snack bars / sucky sweets to keep in your bag ( nothing likely to melt ) just in case you get hungry in the night as long as you're not on nil by mouth , they'd be more for if you stay a few days after your op really .

Button front nighties are best.

IThank you!! Im having an Abdominal Hysterectomy. Sorry i had to look it up to get the correct way, as all I remember from my last appointment is that it wasnt key hole . So should I still get the maternity underwear ?

Earplugs too, it’s noisy when you’re trying to sleep

I had similar surgery I preferred pyjamas over nighties as warmer. loose ones were easy on belly. I also brought a zip up hoody fleece to throw over them as I found it cold. headphones to drown out noise. as someone said eye mask as it's still bright at night. download a box set and some films for you to watch or books if you read I brought the socks that have grips on them to wear instead of slippers. Nice shower gel and stuff to clean your self as you start ti get better it helps give you a boost

You got me lol... this is going to be the hardest thing for me to rest but I defo dont want to get ill afterwards so thank you for the warning. I needed it !!! Your poor mum!!!

Flip flops for the bathroom.

Yes flip flips for shower! You ladies are the best I tell ya!! Hadn't thought of this .I knew i needed slippers but didn't think of flip flops

Im.on it !!!👏👏👏

I prefer pjs too but cause it might be hot i thought nighties but socks with grips ill need anyway probably if in hospital?!!

Aww thank you everyone. Im ready to hit marks again or maybe even primark the more I think about it. Maternity department here i come (oh the irony) ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I found it cold epically the day after surgery as still a bit groggy. and they weren't forthcoming with blankets so husband came in with pyjamas taht were loose at bottom. and my fleece. going to bathroom takes forever 🤣 so nighties were cold for me going to and from bathroom. the socks with grips saved me from trying to put my slippers on when getting in and out of bed. agree aswell with flip flops. Nice loose comfy clothes for going home in when you are. the tena underwear built in pads are good too

I went in with nighties, soft pull on bras, and maternity knickers. The knickers were a brilliant addition. I also took in some sanitary pads.

Oh and I took crocs for walking about and the bathroom.

Hope all goes well OP ❤️

How long have they said you’ll be in for?

I had one laparoscopy and robotically and was in and out the same day!

Loose large cotton knickers are a must and I had nightie (T shirt type) and took an over the head loose cotton jersey dress to wear home.

At home I wore lose cotton shorts and vest tops.

I’ve had a few gynae ops. I always take nighties that are a size bigger so they’re loose and cool (it’s always hot on hospital wards), my own pillow, fluffy socks in case my feet get chilly, cheap flip flops or slippers to walk around in that I can just chuck after (normally around £2/3 in Primark), maternity knickers, lip balm, hair band, toiletries (I pack flannel, face wash, moisturiser, body wash, body moisturiser, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush and deodorant all mini versions of what I use at home. I wash my hair the night before surgery so don’t wash it in hosp), kindle, magazines, ear plugs and eye mask.

If I’m only in for a day, I just take loose T-shirt and leggings to wear home with a pair of big knickers, magazines, kindle and hair band.

Good luck for your op xx

I was in hospital in May, I had several pairs of pj shorts with big nightshirts (M&S), I needed to wear a pad afterwards and so underwear and just felt more comfortable in shorts (elasticated waist, size up!) I would also take slides not flip flops as you may well have to keep surgical socks on for several days. Also lip balm, hand cream, anti-bac and dry shampoo!!
My advice is get up and start walking (slow shuffle really) asap, as it really helped. best of luck!!

She's doing OK now, but much more careful after the second op! Wish you a good recovery ❤️