Top 10 stuff to pack for a post-op overnight on an NHS ward: tips please....

[Barnclown]

This coming week, I'm going onto the ward in the late morning & am due to be operated late in the day...which pre op said means I'm likely to stay in overnight...so, I've read the hospital leaflets and know what they think I should pack...but, I bet there are other bits of small special stuff you all take along to make the coping easier...e.g. Am thinking: a sleep mask...So, am hoping for good tips...it's several years since I was an inpatient...this time it's a mixed ward (single sex curtained bays)

[flo_IarFachYrHaf]

ear plugs... the last two times I went in to hospital were rather unplanned - I find the noise disturbing, but I do live in quiet rural location. maybe some music or talking book type thing.

hope it goes well

rather interesting tags to this post...

[Barnclown in reply to flo_IarFachYrHaf]

Good thinking: thanks!

[cuttysark in reply to Barnclown]

I also highly recommend the ear plugs. Although they don't totally eradicate background noise they reduce it enough that your brain switches off and hopefully you begin to dose.

Also, a small bottle of lavender oil. I was always given a few drops on my pillow at night as a child, if I was ill and it was a real comfort. I Put it on my four boys pillows too when they were little and though men now, they still remember it fondly!!

Some folk are not keen on the scent, but there are other lovely relaxing oils, such as Neroli, or Ylang Ylang that work the same way.

A doctor on seeing my little bottle on my bedside thought it was a new drug!! Maybe so!

All the best for your op next week.

C xx

[Barnclown in reply to cuttysark]

I do vvvv much like your lavender oil tip! Many thanks

[Purpletop]

iPad and charger for that. You might be too tired to read or do crosswords but tapping on an iPad is fine, especially if you use it for repetitive Match 3 games or something similar.

Hand cream and water bottle - the air is SO dry, your skin you'll thank you for the attention.

I get something to nibble on - you might not be able to walk far and the food trolley might not be due for some time. Though you will need to check with the doctor whether you can eat that after the op.

Hopefully you'll be so exhausted that you'll sleep all the way through!

Good luck!

[Barnclown in reply to Purpletop]

Yes: this helps a lot...and was wondering about wet wipes for sensitive skin too: the thought of hospital facilities in a mixed ward is....well, am lost for words...thanks!

[littleeffie]

Hi and as having had many on ward times the one thing I always take is a big baggy soft cotton T-shirt.Not to wear but to put on the top pillow as having sensitive skin(don't we all?) the pillowcases they have alway irritated my scalp,neck and face and popping the T-shirt over the pillow stops this.

As they say every little helps!

[Barnclown in reply to littleeffie]

WOW: BRILL tip! Thanks!

[Dragonfly4]

Baby wipes and that hand anti bac gel, though they should have this at every bed or ward entry.

Ipod/pad. Music.

Most importantly. Take ALL your meds with you. It can be impossible for the nurses to get meds you dont take on time to but if you take your own, you will know you aren't missing out.

Mixed ward> good grief. Long tshirt and thin dressing gown (long). Flip flops to wear on ward.

If you don't feel comfortable in an open ward, ask for your curtains to be around you for privacy.

(Gah, that would be my worst nightmare)

Good luck, let us know how you go.

Oh, ipad games, solitaire, pack of cards... laptop if you have photos to edit or work to do.

A smile if possible for the other patients. No-one likes to be in hospital. Don't feel compelled to listed to everyone's ailments or ops... do what is best for you until you get home.

[Barnclown in reply to Dragonfly4]

Oh Boy: Jackpot....am vvv glad of all your comments & tips: and the 'smile' tip is extra extra special!!!! Thanks so much dragonfly☺️

[nanleighh in reply to Barnclown]

Best of luck to you, and prayers for a speedy recovery.

[Maureenpearl]

Pyjamas are better than night night dress and if you wear make up don't forget to take some and perfume if you can tolerate it.

I stayed in a mixed ward several times and all went well, the bathroom was always clean and the men very helpful.

All the best with your op and i'm praying for a quick recovery.

love xx💐

[Carcrashgal]

Best of luck for the op! I'm going to add to the earplus and sleep mask: lip salve; Purple Top is absolutely right about how drying hospitals are. I take a miniature pillow spray, which has lavender, jasmine and bergamot essential oils in it. I have long hair, so I always plait it using soft scrunchies, to keep it neat and out of the way. *All* your meds, in original wrappings (and I also take the repeat prescription for that moment when they say, 'Are you *sure* you should be taking that much?'). Soft cardie for sitting up (soft cotton T-shirt excellent idea). My own hospital kit includes a long cotton nightgown & slippers, and I have a mini-toiletry kit which includes cotton wool and a nice toner (not a drying one; micellar water is perfect), a rich hand cream (I use l'Occitane), a nice face cream, a brush and comb, and as well as toothbrush and toothpaste I take a pack of Airwaves as well. And to help drink lots of water, a little bottle of squash of some sort. Finally, iPod, and either a pile of books or, these days, a Kindle and/or iPad and relevant chargers; you may end up doing nothing but sleep, but better by far to take stuff you don't need than to be lying awake at 3am with nothing to read, listen to or do . . . Oh, and a small teddy bear called SP who has been with me for years and *many* hospital trips . . . GOOD LUCK! We'll be thinking of you. xx

[Barnclown in reply to Carcrashgal]

WOW.: GREAT LIST! Thanks so much carcrashgal! I just popped into l'occitane yesterday for a few little tubes... now I'm vvv tempted to take my old friend Bonzo the soft teddy along....never too old...even @60+!?👌☺️

[Carcrashgal in reply to Barnclown]

Absolutely NEVER too old! The thing about hospitals is that they're frankly pretty unpleasant places: they smell (yes, of disinfectant, which is good, but all the same), and the worst thing is, they're so *noisy* - and you're always been awakened to have temperature and blood pressure taken, for the consultant to show off his handiwork, for the anaesthetist to check yo';re okay, for the nurses to hand out medication, for the orderlies to give you meals and tea and hot drink at night - and all these are *good* things too, but my gosh, it's had to relax! As you'll have gathered, I've spent a lot of time in these places, and the key thing I've learned it to make *myself* as comfortable as possible. Hopefully you won't be in too long, so you won't need all the stuff I'm suggesting - but better safe than sorry

I hope it all goes smoothly; let us know. Love Jo xx

[Barnclown in reply to Carcrashgal]

You put it so well...it's a few years since I spent the night as an inpatient...and things change...my earlier inpatient experiences seem to have sort of blanked out of my memory, but your comments bring things back. you're a great help...all of you who've replied have helped me a vvv great deal. And this is really only a little op too...but rather delicate & a bit spooky. Thanks so much! XO🌻🍀

[Carcrashgal]

Hi - just wondering how the op went? Well, I hope, and that you're now safe back home and recovering. xx

[Barnclown in reply to Carcrashgal]

Hello! I thought about you this morning and have been planning to get back to you...but you beat me to it!

The day of the little op was Friday...I was so well prepared thanks to the help from you & the others that I literally walked onto the ward calm & smiling ....the rain meant my husband dropped me off at the entrance & went to park the car while I headed straight up to the ward feeling ok about everything (pretty much)

The whole experience could hardly have been better...except the poor woman in the bed next to me was sent home due to a backlog which meant they couldn't get to her...and this was after we'd sat there for hours waiting...luckily my op did take place (she was on a diff list to me)! And the other glitch was that when the surgeon came to see me pre op, she said that in the confusion of going over to e-hospital (digital everything) the load of info I'd given during 2 hours of pre-op assessment a fortnight ago hadn't got through to her....so I had to condense it all down into a few sentences then & there....which, amazingly, I pretty much managed to do!

The hospital was clean, the nurses were lovely....everyone was so helpful & nice....I met several great women patients on my ward & the mixed ward thing hardly affected us because sexes are separated by walled bays along a corridor. There were plenty of bathrooms/loos, which were all really well turned out & equiped. They introduced me to THE best earplugs ever (Arco makes them)

Anyway, the op seemed to go fine: they gave me some fancy anaesthetic due to my various issues, which suited me v well....and the morphine post-op was delicious. The surgeon found nothing seriously sinister, but has taken biopsies. My plumbing got going ok, but of course is v sore, so they kept me in overnight as expected. Extra low blood pressure finally picked up...so was home by late afternoon yesterday....Woozy but happy...about to go take a nap now. Yes, am sore, but not unbearably so...and I can't say I feel infection coming on, fingers crossed

All of which means am now sending you (+ everyone else) a BIG thank you for making all the diff to me...I am so glad to have had such a positive experience...this will stand me in good stead for the inevitable "next time"...I've got a really good "hospital packing list" document live on the home computer now thanks to you all

So: 👌👌👌👍👍👍👏👏👏you guys are great: don't know how I'd manage without you & our wonderful forum. Thanks so much

Take care XO😘👋