Preparation for hospital stay – what to pack?
Depending on the gravity of surgery, your personal health status and the duration of hospital stay, pick what suits best for your hospital stay.
Pyjamas
It is recommended that you take two pairs of pyjamas if the surgery is demanding and if your hospital stay is expected to last more than two days. It is also advisable that the pyjamas are button up the front design, loose and made of cotton. It is important that you don’t have to pull it over your head, as that may be difficult and painful after a grave surgery.
Comfortable seamless socks
If the surgery was not done on your feet, it is recommended that you wear comfortable seamless socks. After the surgery, your body will be sensitive, so that each seam and each discomfort become quite important.
Muscle Relief Gel
Due to long period of lying position, some body parts may become stiff and cause additional pain. Gel for blood circulation and muscle relief may be helpful in such cases. Rubbing it on your skin will enhance its vascularization, regulate its hydration and prevent skin dryness. It’s non greasy and easy to apply, contains no preservatives. Using it regularly will prevent the development of pressure ulcers in lying patients.
Slippers
The slippers you will pack for hospital stay depend on the type and gravity of your surgery. If you will be able to move with difficulty due to pain, then it is better to have light, full slippers. On the other hand, it is important that you are able to put them on easily. Mule slippers can sometimes make moving difficult, because they slide, whereas full slippers may cause problems because they are not so easy to put on. You should definitely give it some thought before going to hospital.
Shower slippers
It is sometimes advisable to take a pair of water resistant shower slippers or flip flops (depending on your personal preferences), so that you don’t have to go barefoot into the shower. However, this is entirely up to you. Generally, some people are more comfortable with this as they perceive this as being more hygienic.
Towels
Pack at least two towels, although with two large towels it is advisable to have the additional two small towels. The number of towels of course depends on the length of your stay at the hospital.
Bathrobe
You should have something to wear after the shower or for walking around the hospital corridors.
Shower oil
If you are allowed to take a shower, make sure to use cosmetic products that are tested for alergogenic and irritation potential, i.e. that will be gentle to your skin which may be sensitive after the surgery. Shower and bathing oil are intended for sensitive and dry skin. It leaves no film in the bathing water. It contains etheric oils, natural jojoba and aloe vera oils, hydrating and preventing inflammation and soothing red and sensitive skin.
Body cream
To prevent skin dryness, you may protect it with body cream. It rehydrates dry skin. It contains glycerine and shea butter that will soften and smooth your skin and offer additional protection.
Shampoo cap / washing glove
A longer hospital stay may sometimes cause a feeling of insufficient hygiene. Reduced possibilities of personal hygiene, long periods of lying, post-surgery pains affect the spirit of the patient. Therefore, even small things may increase the sense of comfort and enhance the patient’s recovery. The shampoo cap enables hair washing while lying in bed, without water or anything else. Just make sure there is no draft or open windows during washing. The washing glove is soaked with a pleasant pH neutral lotion, for a lasting comfortable feeling. It will provide you with a clean feeling even during longer periods of lying in bed, without the possibility of taking a shower. The glove contains no parabene or any other additions and it’s dermatologically tested.
General information
Before going to the hospital, it sometimes happens that we don’t prepare the basics, either because of stress, or because some things are used until last moment before actually going to the hospital. So, don’t forget the following:
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- comb
- cell phone charger
- pill organizers and medicines (if you are taking any)
- your own glass and teaspoon (to make you feel more comfortable)
Bibs (washable or non-washable)
When eating or drinking, it sometimes happens that, due to weakness, we spill some of the food or fluid on the pyjamas. To avoid frequent changing of the pyjamas and to feel more secure while eating, it is sometimes advisable to use bibs (either washable or disposable).
Book / Portable radio with earphones
After a surgical procedure, many patients don’t care about anything at all. It takes time for the pain to subside and the patient becomes mobile again. Until then in general it is just about passing time. sometimes, a portable radio with earphones may help the patient think of something else when there is no TV in the room and if the patient is not strong enough to read. If it’s a smaller surgery and you still have to lie in a room without TV, a book may come in handy to make the time pass faster.
Mattress or mattress topper
If you are going to stay at the hospital for some longer period, or if your blood circulation is bad, we recommend renting a mattress or a mattress topper, preventing the development of pressure ulcers in bedridden patients, reduce the pain, improve blood circulation and enable a faster recovery.
Whether you will rent a mattress or a mattress topper depends on your health status. The best thing to do is to get advice from our expert team at free phone number 0800 206 206.
Heel protection
If you don’t use a mattress or a mattress topper to prevent the development of pressure sores, you should definitely release the pressure on your heels using a special heel protection as heels are very prone to development of pressure ulcers in bedridden patients.
