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