Essentials
The essentials are items that you may need. If you have questions, contact the hospital prior to the day of your surgery. If they have medications, records, or imaging studies, you may not need to bring duplicates of these, but if they don’t have these available you may need to bring these yourself.
Medications - in original containers, if your hospital pharmacy cannot provide for youRecent x-rays, MRIs, or other scan you have had doneInsurance documentationAny crutches, braces, or other devices needed after surgeryDocuments requiring your healthcare provider’s signatureAny other preoperative documents (some hospitals keep on file, others have patients keep these)Identification
Clothing
Hospital clothing serves a purpose, but that purpose is not making you feel comfortable! After most elective surgical procedures, you can often wear more normal clothes within a day or two of surgery. Take a few items of clothing to the hospital to have available once you can get rid of the hospital gown.
Nightgown/PajamasRobeComfortable clothing (sweatpants, loose shirts)SlippersShoes
Toiletries
Hospitals will stock basic supplies, but like most any organization that you don’t call home, you will miss your usual toothpaste or your normal razor. Having a few of these personal comforts will make the other changes (the new room, the hospital sheets) a little less uncomfortable by giving you some of your normal comforts from home.
Toothbrush/ToothpasteRazorSoap/ShampooFeminine Hygiene ProductsTissues
Other
You’re likely to be busy in the hospital. Between surgery, rehabilitation, and recovery, you may not have as much free time as you think. However, you also don’t want to find yourself bored. Bring a few things to keep your mind occupied (a good book or some work to get done) just in case you have some down time.
BookPen/Paper
What Not to Bring
Anything that you would be upset you lost should be left at home. There are some items you may decide you can’t live without, even for a few days. However, anything you can’t easily replace should be left at home.
JewelryValuables
Check Before You Bring
Cellular phones (some hospitals do not allow these to be used around hospital monitoring equipment)Personal computer
Consider the value of these items and how secure they will be at the hospital. Hospitals are safe places, but they are busy environments where personal items can go missing.
