Stoma Surgery – What to Take to the Hospital

A question many people have when going into hospitals for stoma surgery is what exactly should they take with them. The last thing you want is to be in hospital and wishing you’d brought something to keep you busy or to make you more comfortable. But fear not, below we’ve got some of the essential things that you should be taking with you.

The essentials

There are some essential things to take with you, these are basically the things you’d take with you no matter where you’re going. So make sure you pack a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, spare pairs of underwear and any other toiletries that you use on a daily basis.

Aside from these, there are also some legal documents that you’ll need to take with you. For example, take a form of ID, any insurance cards you may have, and a list of medications you need to take. If your unsure about any documentation you may need to take with you, you can always check with the hospital.

As long as you’ve got these main items, you won’t go far wrong. There are, of course, other things to pack with you to improve your hospital experience…

Things to keep you occupied

Let’s face it, the time you spend in hospital is hardly going to be exciting and the chances are it’s going to be a bit of a boring experience. So, make sure you pack some things to keep your mind busy. You could take your mobile phone, a laptop, a good book, crossword puzzles, magazines, a diary, your headphones or whatever else keeps you busy in your free time.

Most hospitals do have TVs to watch, but let’s be honest, there’s only so much daytime TV you can watch before you lose your mind, so be sure you to pack some items that’ll help to pass the time.

Some home comforts

Hospitals can feel a bit lonely sometimes so you may want to bring some things with you to remind you of home or your family. For example, you could bring with you some photos of your family, your comfiest pyjamas and even your favourite cushion from home.

There’s no right or wrong way to pack for your hospital visit and it’s completely up to you what you choose to bring with you. Just make sure you remember to take the essentials as well as any other items that will make you feel more comfortable throughout your stay.

If you’ve got any other questions about your stoma surgery, you can always get in touch with one of our healthcare nurses or speak to your doctor for expert advice.