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What are some things I should bring to the hospital for after the procedure ?

What are some things you suggest that I have when I arrive back at home after the procedure?

Man, it feels like I just did this yesterday. Oh wait I did. Lol

Stuff I’m sure you know: I needed my license, insurance and vax cards. My phone. Comfortable loose clothes. I wore an old set of hospital scrubs. You’ll want long pants to conceal the bag of urine attached to your thigh.

Start taking a stool softener (not laxative) a couple of days before. I took ducolax. Have some milk of magnesia or some other gentle laxative for the day after surgery in case you need it.

You’re going to be on your back for 48 hours. I suggest a gooseneck phone holder so you can watch movies without your hands and arm going numb. A very long power cord.

Step in shoes or flip flops.

Dry shampoo and body wipes. Single use toothbrushes are a good idea too.

Bendy straws!!

A long handled back scratcher!!

A little bell to summon your minion to bring you fresh ice and water. Actually, don’t do this. My wife did not find it funny. I did, but she didn’t. Not even a little bit.

Baseball hat if you are like me and your hair looks crazy after laying in bed.

Snacks, lots of snacks

Headphones

2 insulated ice bags and access to a lot of ice. We brought our Opal ice maker. It makes the small dot ice which works great for ice bags.

Ideally your mom, but since that would be awkward a very patient friend or partner that you won’t mind seeing you in just a jock strap.

I think that covers it.

Best of luck!!

I would also add a heat pad. The first few days after surgery, your surgeon may not allow you to use hot baths.

I must have travelled real light. Then again mine was outpatient with a 6 AM report time and I didn’t sleep much the night before I had it done. I was fortunate enough to remember to bring myself.

I was a little over an hour drive from hospital. Bring pillow to snooze on way home while someone else drives.

Loose sweatpants or long-legged gym shorts. By the time I got them to gather up discharge papers, I wasn’t overly concerned who saw me or what they saw or whether or not it offended them. I wanted comfort. Things didn’t really hurt but they were sore. Sweats were ideal.

I went home with a drain. I never spilled mine but I can see where it’s possible to do. So bring a towel in case you have to clean up after a spill.

Okay, reporting at 6 AM meant they were ready to discharge me before 11 AM. I would strongly urge you to avoid a walk-in restaurant immediately after the procedure. In my case I had Chik-Fil-A for lunch and ate in the truck.

I get it, no two of us have the same experience. In my case this wasn’t a big deal....a little more involved than going in for the every-10-year colonoscopy but not any worse than a hernia repair. I know some guys get sideswiped by the surgery and end up staying in hospital...some end up in bed for several days. The next morning I hopped in truck and drove 90 miles, picked up son, and drove 90 miles back. I wasn’t being stupid or a hero. I simply didn’t feel that bad.

Use good judgment. Take what you need. Main thing is know thyself.

Thank you for the answers so far!

NeedWood wrote:Thank you for the answers so far!

NeedWood wrote:Thank you for the answers so far!

Hospital urinal. Peeing will be a challenge. Stood in front of the toilet, peed in the urinal (or a wide-mouth bottle) and then poured the contents into the toilet. The first few days after surgery, aiming is a challenge.

Bring the minimum to the hospital, loose clothes, step in shoes, insurance card & ID, & phone (your ride will most likely not be allowed to come inside to get you, the staff will be in touch with your ride, but I liked having the ability to make my own call on the way out of recovery).

At home I liked bags of frozen peas for icing, because they are soft and pliable, easily conform to whatever shape you need, and aren't as cold as ice, so less chance of freezer burn, and more comfortable in you crotch. 2 bags that you can rotate out every 20-30 minutes.

A comfortable set up for reclining (sofa, recliner, or sitting up in bed) with a good variety of sizes and firmness of pillows. Soft fuzzy small socks (baby socks or ladies running socks) make a nice sleeve at night (after you remove your dressings as directed).

Definitely a handheld plastic male urinal. You can get them at drugstores, but call ahead instead of checking online to make sure they have it in stock. They're one of the most frequently shoplifted items, because homeless people use them. I tried just peeing in the sink or bathtub, but had to lean over too far and you don't want to put stress on your core muscles, so the urinal works better.

SAXX brand underwear. They're not cheap, but they have a really good pouch made of separate fabric panels that make a kind of hammock that makes it easier to hold everything upright. Keep the big jockstrap they'll probably send you home in. I have started wearing the jockstrap over the SAXX underwear and it makes for a comfortable but more firm structured way to go around with it held in place upright.

You might want to start eating pineapple now. I read about it right after my surgery and started eating it then. It's supposed to minimize bruising, and best to start eating it in advance. I had very little bruising, not sure if that was the reason, but it didn't hurt.

Dulcolax suppositories for the inevitable constipation from anestheia and narcotics. The suppositories really work fast. That's all I can think of for now, but you can also read my post "New Implant - surgery and recovery" in which I've gone into more detail about my process, having just had the surgery a couple weeks ago. Here's the link:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17451
Good luck!

My implant was out patient so I brought as little as possible. Wife accompanied me so she held on to my phone and wallet, then drove me home. If you're going to stay overnight at the hospital they should have everything you'll need, urinal, towels, gowns, ice, etc. but the best part is nurses to drain your bags. That was the hassle of doing out patient, you had to drain your own bags plus remove the drain bag and catheter the next day yourself.
My guess is you'll only need clothes to go home in. They should give you a jock strap. At home have the couch ready!
Good Luck.