• outlet extender

  • particularly helpful if you are traveling with your whole family, there are probably not going to be enough outlets for all of your devices​​

​

• plush blanket

  • the hospital does have blankets, but I was so so thankful for my queen sized, fuzzy blanket from target, 10/10 would recommend ​

​

• big bottle of body lotion

  • not sure if it was just me, but I felt really dry throughout my stay (especially my hands and feet)​

​

• bottled water

  • very very very important to stay hydrated!!​

​

• sugar-free gum

  • some nights you are going to feel like dog poop and you don't have the energy to get up from bed to brush your teeth... gum is a nice and easy way to clean out your mouth a bit

​

• any food that you like to eat

  • try to think of some meals/snacks you like before surgery -- the hospital food wasn't AWFUL but definitely wasn't my favorite

  • sometimes I had a really specific appetite and only felt like I could stomach some foods, so it's good to have some of your favorite options on deck

  • especially once you get off the IV meds and switch to oral meds, you don't want to be taking those on an empty stomach. 

    • if you like the cereal Mini Wheats (high in fiber), I found that those did a really good job getting something in my stomach, especially during the night hours of pill taking

    • sometimes I would just eat 5-7 mini wheats and take my pills and go back to sleep 

    • the hospital has graham crackers and saltines if you prefer those though :)

​

• shampoo, conditioner, and gentle body wash​​

  • whatever you normally put on your hair is fine, but my skin was extra sensitive and irritated after not being able to shower for more than a week. make sure your body wash doesn't irritate you at all :)