Preparing for Major Surgery - What to Bring

Tips on Packing for a Hospital Stay

Mar 9, 2009 Robin Mayhall

Anyone facing a major surgery and hospital stay may find these tips helpful in deciding what to bring to the hospital.

Patients who undergo a major operation, such as a total knee replacement or other orthopedic surgery, often end up spending several days in the hospital. It's hard to know just what to bring, and it's easy to seriously overpack -- especially when it comes to clothing. When packing for a hospital stay, remember that a friend or family member can almost always fetch any important item that's left behind.

Here are some firsthand tips on what to bring – and not bring – for a long hospital stay.

Suggestions on What to Bring:

An address book or listing of friends' phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Many people plan to catch up on their reading while in the hospital, but fatigue and medication often makes it hard to concentrate.
Speaking of medications, patients should bring with them everything they take -- including any over-the-counter meds, vitamins and supplements taken regularly. The medical staff needs to know exactly what each patient is taking, although they often take away the patient's own supply and administer medications on the hospital's schedule.
Favorite snacks, including juices and other drinks.
Fun, not-too-challenging books, magazines and games. As mentioned above, it can be hard to concentrate on anything too intellectual – especially in the first day or two after surgery.
A few pictures of important people and favorite things, such as spouse, friends, kids and pets.
A hat, scarf or other head-covering. Many people want to hide their hair when they’ve been in the hospital for several days without a shower.
One or two changes of comfortable, loose clothing, including VERY LOOSE pants or shorts that can go over a large bandage, and several changes of underwear and socks. It's not likely that more than one or two outfits will be needed. Clothing is one thing most surgical patients pack far too much of for their first hospital stay.
An extra blanket, roomy cardigan sweater or bathrobe for those who get cold easily.

What Not to Bring:

Too much clothing. Many surgery patients will be in a hospital gown for at least two days, perhaps more. Even after that, there's often little chance or reason to change clothes frequently.
Too many books or activities. Especially after a knee or hip replacement or similar surgery, the patient will be busy with physical therapy for part of the day and likely tired afterward. Those who bring too many books to read, things to accomplish and hobbies to keep track of may find themselves feeling pressured or stressed.
Anything too intellectually challenging. Individual preference will vary, but pain medication, fatigue, etc. may keep recuperating patients from concentrating well on challenging books.
Jewelry and other valuables (iPod, computer, etc.). Unfortunately, theft is rampant in hospitals. Someone who just can’t live without a laptop is well advised to bring a locking cable or ask a loved one to take it home each night.

Some hospitals do offer in-room safes that will offer a measure of security for valuables – but even the hospital personnel advise most patients not to trust their most precious possessions to these safes. It’s still best to leave expensive jewelry and electronics at home for a few days.

A Few More Tips for a Long Hospital Stay

Patients should be assertive about discussing their pain management before and after surgery, and should not hesitate to ask for more or different pain medication if they need it. Those who have been taking narcotic medications for knee or hip pain for some time before surgery may be somewhat tolerant of morphine-based drugs and may need a slightly higher dose than the average patient. Every person who undergoes surgery has a right to good pain management! When problems do occur, the nursing supervisor or the anaesthesiologist usually can help.

Along the same lines, patients should not be afraid to ask the doctor or nurse on call if they feel like something is wrong – if they have an unexpected symptom, unmanaged pain or another concern.

This is one reason why it is advisable for any patient having major surgery to have a close friend or relative stay with him or her in the hospital. Most of the medical personnel there will be dedicated professionals – but anyone can have an off day. And sometimes, a nurse or doctor won’t take the patient himself or herself as seriously as they should — because the individual is tired, in pain, and on medication. A friend or relative can be sure the recuperating patient gets the attention he or she deserves.

The copyright of the article Preparing for Major Surgery - What to Bring in General Medicine is owned by Robin Mayhall. Permission to republish Preparing for Major Surgery - What to Bring in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Don't overpack for a hospital stay.