What you pack is important, it should mostly fit into a single overnight bag.
- Your ID. You’ll need some identification at check-in. You’ll also possibly need your insurance card and any other documents your doctor gave you for admission.
- Medication and supplement list. You’ll probably be asked this information at check-in. It may be difficult to remember everything you’re taking, so it’s a lot easier to just hand over a piece of paper.
- Pack Medications and vitamins/supplements. Plan to pack your own to avoid disrupting your daily regimen incase the hospital pharmacy does not have them on hand.
- Credit card or small amount of cash. You may want to use the vending machine or get something from the gift shop or cafeteria during your stay.
- Healthy snacks, like protein bars, dark chocolate, granola bars or nuts (no peanuts) due to serious life threatening allergies that some people may have.
- Personal hospital gown or pajamas. Yes, you can buy your own hospital gown. Check out amazon for a more fashionable, comfortable fitting gown.
- Non-skid socks or slippers. If you don’t like the hospital socks, you can bring your own. It’s key that whatever you choose has grips for safety.
- Book. Or a magazine or other reading material. This is helpful in case you can’t sleep or your waiting for laboratory testing.
- Cell phone and charger for texting family and friends, music, podcasts and social media.
- Headphones and ear plugs incase you have a noisy roommate. Hospitals are not known for being a place of peace and quiet.
- Toiletries. You can go as simple as some travel shampoos, toothbrush/toothpaste, a brush, deodorant, and a bar of soap. Don’t forget stuff like hair ties, lip balm, and lotion, if you tend to have dry skin.
- Glasses and/or contacts. You’ll also want to bring glasses and contact lens supplies, like a case, cleaning solution and saline.
- Underwear. A couple of pairs, depending on how long you will be in the hospital.
- For the ladies, Pads. The hospital provides thick pads. If you want thinner ones, bring them from home.
- Bra.
- Comfortable clothes. Some people stay in the hospital gown their entire time at the hospital. That’s totally fine. If you would rather slip into some loose comfortable clothing of your own you might as well bring it with you.
- Going home outfit. Don’t forget to think about what you’ll want to wear home. If you’re packing in advance, be sure to consider the weather in your wardrobe decisions.
- Pillow. Are you particular about the pillow you use? Bring your favorite. And slip it into a colorful pillowcase so it won’t blend in with the hospital pillows.
- Flip flops. The hospital floors and showers are cleaned regularly. But, you know, you may just feel more comfortable showering with your own shower sandals.
And before you think of what to pack, you should know that hospitals suggest not packing expensive items, like:
- wedding rings and other jewelry
- laptops and tablets
- lots of cash
Through coaching, I will guide you through the surgical maze, helping to minimize or alleviate some of the anxiety and frustration of preparing for surgery. I will guide you and educate you on how to navigate the confusing process.
