Things to pack for the Hospital

Compiled from Nancy’s Nook members

Always confer with your provider!

For Hospital Stay/ Hotel Room (if needed):

• body pillow
• abdominal binder – depending on your physician’s recommendations
• comfy bra: i.e – soft yoga bra, larger sports bra
• soft nightgowns to sleep in / lounge in
• baggy sweatpants, t-shirts, t-shirt dress, maxi dress
• stable, slip on shoes
• mesh panties the hospital provides (try to ask for extras to take with you)
• high waisted soft underwear in a size larger than normal for comfort
• heating pad (for shoulder/gas pains from laparoscopic procedures if okay with your provider)
• water bottle
• long phone charger
• travel squatty potty
• thick clothed head band (to hide your bed head )
• blanket/ stuffed animal/ comfort items
• eye mask
• cozy robe
• Bag Basics: face wipes/ tooth brush/ toothpaste/ chapstick/ lotion/ hairbrush/ deodorant wipes
• Covid 19: extra Face Mask, hand sanitizer

For Car Ride:

* DO NOT EAT ON RIDE HOME

* heating pad, if you have plug access

* extra pillows to put around you for barriers

* step stool if car is high up

* emesis bag/ have hospital send you home with some if possible (throw up bag, just in case)

* small pillow to splint your stomach from seat belt

* neck lumbar pillow for neck comfort in car

 OTC Comfort measures:

• Make sure you have the medications gathered that YOUR doctor recommends having after surgery for bowels/ pain/ etc
• Non caffeinated hot tea to help bladder move
• Peppermint Tea/ Peppermint Oil/ Peppermint Drops to help with gas
• hard candy to help with dry mouth/ dry mouth wash
• BioFreeze for shoulder gas pain

For Home:

• wedge pillow to help keep you inclined in bed after surgery
• wedge pillow for under the knees to remove pressure from back
• body pillow / curved body pillow (think maternity pillow)
• abdominal binder (if your provider recommends- don’t forget to ask!)
• comfy bra: i.e – soft yoga bra, larger sports bra
• soft nightgowns to sleep in / lounge in
• maxi dresses or tshirt dresses …nothing with a waistband
• baggy sweatpants and t-shirts
• stable, slip on shoes
• panty liners and larger pads if any procedure was performed vaginally (according to your provider’s recommendations)
• high waisted soft underwear in a size larger than normal for comfort, they also now make period underwear you could get and buy in a size larger

• mesh panties the hospital provides (try to ask for extras to take with you)
• baby wipes (for when you dont feel like taking a bath or need a quick wipe)
• squatty potty
• heating pad
• For Night Stand: water bottle, chap stick, eye mask
• thick clothed head band (to hide bead head)
• step stool if your bed is high
• compression socks
• Large ice packs: 10.5 x 14 ice pack x 3
• bio freeze for shoulder gas pain

Helpful Food Items:

• Meal prep if possible prior to surgery or set up a meal train  (*think* easy to digest)
• butter noodles/ chicken noodle soup
• mashed potatoes/ applesauce/ jello/ oatmeal/ pudding
• any drink that you can sip on if you are nauseated
• Bendy Straws to help you drink 
• saltine crackers