Being prepared for the hospital will help make your hospital stay as pleasant as possible. There are certain supplies you need to make sure you bring and other things you can pack to make you comfortable. Here’s a list of suggestions for what to bring to the hospital.
Health Supplies and Necessities
- Photo ID
- Insurance card
- Medical records
- List of emergency contacts
- Ostomy supplies
- Pills, just in case the hospital doesn’t carry all of your medications
- Phone and phone charger
- Notebook and pen to write down any information or questions for the doctors
- Underwear
Entertainment
- Tablet or laptop and charger (and possibly an indoor extension cord for convenience)
- Puzzles, DVDs, books, music
- Art supplies
Toiletries
- Deodorant
- Lip balm (Chapstick)
- Dry Shampoo
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Glasses and/or contacts
- Razor
- Tissues (the hospital provides the rough ones, so if you’re partial to the lotion-filled, you may want to bring your own)
- Hair brush
- Lozenges (hospital air can be pretty dry and wreak havoc on your throat)
Comfort
- Sandals for shower
- Slip-on type shoes for short walks
- Earplugs
- Eye cover
- Comfy clothes, preferably short sleeves or long sleeves with zip or button up front so the physicians can access your IV
- Blankets and pillows (if you have specific ones that are “must-have” – otherwise, the hospital will provide these)
- Lotion
- Posters or decorations to make the room as comfy and happy as possible
- Snacks
- Candy for nurses – they’ll like coming to your room!
- Socks
- Slippers
- Heating pad for abdomen
- One of our FB community member suggestions was a “reacher grabber” — one of those claw-type things that can help you pick up things off the floor. Definitely a thought if you’re getting surgery that will make bending over difficult!
If you have any other suggestions about what to bring to the hospital, we would love to hear your list!
Find related articles and resources about ostomy surgery below:
- What is an Ostomy? | Ostomy 101
- Preparing for Surgery
- How to Empty Your Ostomy Pouch Video
- 10 FAQs about Ostomies
- Overview of the GI Tract Before and After Ostomy Surgery
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