What to wear in hospital?

mscholtz

OK I know this is a really weird / strange post, but I don't want to wear PJ's all day in hospital.

I am going in for a stomach separation and umbilical hernia operation (and small tummy tuck) on Thursday (Aust time) and will be in hospital for about 3 - 4 days.

I don't want anything too tight as it is possible that I'll need tubes / drains (sorry gross I know) but I don't want to look frumpy and feel all depressed (as if I'm in my PJ's all day I can get a bit down).

Any ideas??

Obviously I'll need to take PJ's / Nighty, Dressing Gown, Slippers etc, but what else can anyone else suggest.

I did say it was a strange request / post!

thanks in advance

Monica

16 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from yublocka

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh! That’s a great question. How about comfy lounge clothes? I did that when I went to hospital. Remember to bring socks, your own pillow covers and blanket. Makes it feel more like home.

Ops are grotty. Good luck and take care.

16 years ago

mscholtz

Active Member

Thanks Angie - comfy lounge clothes hey - hmmm ok will go through my wardrobe and raid it tonight to see what I have.

Otherwise, I'll be going shopping tomorrow.

Any other tips, apart from socks etc?

I have heard the trusty Vaseline works a treat for lips (so that is on my list too!)

16 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

I had hand surgery a few months ago, and someone suggested slip-on shoes, which was great advice. Although you're not doing anything to your hands, you might be sore when you leave, and it might be hard to bend down to tie your shoes. Although sometimes it's fun to make your husband/significant other do this.

Good luck with your surgery!

16 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Wow, I hope that all goes well, and take care of yourself!

None of this is from first-hand experience, but just random ideas off the top of my head, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt.

Maybe yoga pants would be comfy - the kind that are loose at the waist and are meant to be rolled down to the hip. If you have abdominal surgery, I'd imagine you want the least structured hem possible. If rolling the waistband down hurts, you could leave it up around your waist and it would be loose around your abdomen. I also wonder if unstructured wrap shirts in very soft fabrics might feel nice since you could adjust how tight you want them to be.

I don't know if it was just a winter thing, but a few months ago American Eagle had little slipper socks that were so soft and fuzzy. They had a fabric strap (kind of like a pair of Mary Janes in sock format) and rubber grips on the bottom. I'd imagine that would be great for feeling as warm and comfy as possible, but not slipping on hospital floors.

Since it sounds like you're looking for a pick-me-up to avoid looking/feeling frumpy, maybe you can find a very soft but stylish robe/dressing gown, kind of like these?
http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....LEEP_ROBES

16 years ago

mscholtz

Active Member

Thanks for all the tips, I'll have to take notes!

Kari, you are correct, I am looking for a pick me up! I know I'm going to be in pain and not be too happy, but I thought if I didn't look too bad, it may improve my overall mood / frame of mind.

So far I have the following:-

dressing gown,
slippers
nighty or PJ's
bed socks (with non slip bits on the bottom of the feet)
Hair brush
shampoo and toiletries
casual clothes:- suggestions include - dress with cardigan, yoga pants (roll down top) wrap shirt,

I have also heard not to bring anything that needs to go over your head, as it is hard to lift your hands up that far after abdo surgery.

Oh I forgot to mention, I'm in Australia so it is going into Autumn (Fall) for us. So it can be hot outside but cold in the hospital.

I'll look forward to checking this link again tomorrow to see if there are any further tips.

thanks again for all the suggestion.

Monica

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Here's the thing, Monica -- if you're going to have any tubes or an IV, they may prefer you to wear the dreaded gown because other clothing that has to be pulled on and off in the regular way can disturb the medical apparatus that is connected to you.

Also, without being graphic, let me say that there are many opportunities to ruin clothing in the hospital. A stained gown is easily changed, but you don't want to be worrying about wrecking new clothes.

I would vote for comfy, snazzy new lounge clothes for when you get home, rather than for the hospital stay.

16 years ago

mscholtz

Active Member

thanks April hadn't really thought of it that way! I was just thinking that I didn't want to feel to .... "frumpy" and "tired" looking. So I thought clothes might be a good pick me up.

But I take your point, I'll be going shopping tomorrow, so I'll see what I can find that is comfy, I may even take it - depending on how I feel, and how many IV's / Tubes I have I may not even wear it until I get home.

thanks again for the alternative insight April - hmmmm off to bed now.

16 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

If hospital gowns would indeed prove to be the most practical, then perhaps you could take along a colourful pashmina or large wrap (preferably machine-washable).

I'm always cold and I can imagine a gown isn't very warm when you are sitting up in bed or in a chair. And the pretty colours might cheer you up too.

Just a thought...
Take care and make sure you get enough rest afterwards.

16 years ago

Anonymous

Since the hospital gowns don't cover very well, ask for a second one and wear one backwards and one the normal way to keep more covered.

16 years ago

Lena

Active Member

Hi Monica. I didn't take anything except slippers and toiletries and mp3 player when I had my abdominal surgery several weeks ago (but I didn't stay as long as you will). I didn't have any complications, but I'd imagine it's better to wear a gown (at least the first day or two) so that the nurses have easier access to whatever they need to do.

Your list sounds good. I also brought slip on shoes and yoga pants to wear on the trip home. Not very glamorous, but easy to put on.

Good luck with your surgeries and take it very easy!

16 years ago

Lee Hovey

Active Member

When my friend had surgery that required cracking her chest, she lived in cute zipper front sweatershirts for weeks, she had them in pretty colors and even patterns. If you get a nice quality one the sweatshirt is soft on the inside, so you can wear them without a shirt underneath. The zipper ( as opposed to bottons) will stay closed. Its easy to get into (no liftin arms), and easy to provide acces to the wounds when needed. If you can find one that doube zips, so it can unzip from the bottom up, you can preserve decency yet still get access to the tummy.

16 years ago

mscholtz

Active Member

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions, there is certainly lots to think about.

Lena, I actually went and bought a cute pair of slip on shoes to take to hospital and some Yoga pants today as well.

Love your idea about the double zipper tops LeeHovey! Will have to see if I can find any around.

16 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Good luck with your surgery and recovery afterwards mscholtz. If you can get someone to help you put it on, a shorter or cropped singlet under the gown can be good for keeping you warm and comfy and for preserving modesty. It also gives your doctors easy access to your tummy to see your drains, and to your chest and back (which they will want to listen to every day). Hope you don't have to stay too long in hospital!

I'd also suggest bringing some snacks and some reading material. You may not feel like eating at first, but once you're feeling better hospital food is very unappetising!!!

Oh and deodorant/body spray/something to make you smell nice. Especially if you're not up to showering at first.

16 years ago

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