Having major hip surgery next week. Advice? What to pack?

I wish you good luck first of all.

I had a mastectomy last year and before I did, I googled helpful hints for that kind of surgery. I got some great tips and things that I never would have thought about.

I packed a bag for the hospital, but didn't use much becuase I was so out of it and just kind of sleeping. I did use my phone and bought an extension USB cord so that it could be plugged in and charged all the time. I used it instead of the hospital phone to connect with family and I would play a game once and a while. I packed other things like an ereader, pectin throat losenges for the dry throat that surgery gives me, a comb and dry shampoo, lip balm, lotion, tooth brush. And make sure that you have extra large, easy to use clothing to come home in. I thought my button up shiort was good because it was a size up, but it didn't button with all the swelling.

The other thing for me is that I couldn't sleep in bed for about 6 weeks because I couldn't sit up on my own and it hurt. So I rented an electric recliner for a month to sleep in. That was one big tip I got off the internet that really paid for it's self.

As for anxiety - oh mine was through the roof. By the time the surgery date came, I was so anxious and I broke down in the prep room and told them they had to give me something right then and there because I was having anxiety attack. Up to surgery I tried to keep as busy as I could. I made a list of things that needed to be done: shopping, cleaning, moving thngs around. If I felt anxiety, I'd head to the gym or work it out. And I talked and talked and talked with my husband. Basically, you need to do whatever you can to keep the anxioety at bay. And the day of surgery, tell them how you're doing so they can help you with it.

You'll come back and update after surgery, please? I wish you well and if there's anything else I can answer or suggest or whatever, let me now.

When my friend was hospitalized for an extended period, she asked me to bring some nice smelling soap to wash her hands.  I would also take my own pillow.  Best wishes for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

I forgot...I cooked meals for the freezer. I made single serve portions of things that I could easy heat on my own. I have really great coworkers who brought meals for me and DH. DH was working all day and would come home and heat something up for us and just relax with me instead of having to cook a meal.

No advice, but wanted to wish you well.

I lost my favorite pillow my Grandma made for me that way. I was kind of dopey from the meds and all sweaty. A nurse changed my sheets and didn't know it was my pillow and it got tossed into the dirty laundry bin. By the time I realized it was gone the laundry had been taken down to the laundry room and it was anyone's guess where my pillow was. So, unless you're scheduled for a long extended stay in the hospital I'd leave my pillow at home. You don't get a lot of sleep in the hospital anyway.

Wishing you a successful surgery and a quick & easy recovery.

I had a week stay in the hospital last week after surgery for ovarian cancer, and then more recently an overnight stay for a hernia that I developed from the previous surgery.

The outfit I wore home was the outfit I wore to the hospital. I made sure it was something easy to get on and off and comfy, even going without a bra...super loose.

I had brought a puzzle book, tablet and cell phone. I never used the tablet. I was sleeping so much that between the sleeping, and not having an attention span, the TV was enough. I did check my phone for FB a few times, but really the time I was in the hospital was a blur. Your phone charger with a long cord is helpful. The only thing I really used that I brought with me was lip balm, and a case for my glasses.

The hospital I stayed out provided lotion and tooth paste and a brush.