Cosmetic and plastic surgery has been a fast-growing field for decades, with amazing scientific advancements coming out on a yearly basis. These new developments in cosmetic surgery have made the procedures safer than ever, and Grossman Medical continues to book a wide range of plastic surgeries that focus on the face, body, breasts, skin, and a score of non-surgical procedures that can take 20 years off a person’s appearance.
With the volume of plastic surgery procedures increasing, there is a single question that virtually every patient has, but rarely asks, or else they ask but never get a comprehensive answer: what to pack in the “overnight bag” for the duration of your hospital stay. Whether you are only required to stay in the hospital for a day or two after your plastic surgery procedure, or if you will need to stay in the hospital for a week or longer, these are the items you should bring with you to ensure you have a comfortable stay with minimal road bumps.
Even though you will have verified your identity prior to surgery, you will need to do the same for hospitalization. Just to cover all the bases, in addition to bringing a valid driver’s license and your insurance card, consider also bringing your passport and birth certificate. This way, there is no confusion or room for error when hospital administration is pushing all your paperwork through.
Many plastic surgery procedures will have post-op care instructions that will require patients to do some light walking. Usually, a hospital will provide patients with socks that have an anti-slip tread on the bottoms. However, these socks don’t keep your feet as warm as slippers, and they don’t offer any cushioning or arch support for those who need it. If you are expected to walk about the hospital unit floor a few times a day, then you should bring your own slippers from home for a more comfortable experience. Also, remember that when we are comfortable, we are more motivated to follow walking instructions.
Not all hospital rooms have electrical outlets in convenient areas of the room. Usually, there is an outlet within a few feet of the bed, but these can fill up quickly. If you are bringing your laptop, phone charger, tablet charger, or any other devices required for doing work or for entertainment’s sake, you may likely need to use outlets further from the bed. By bringing a power strip extension cord and can make sure you have the freedom to use all your gadgets. Just let the nurse know so that she can help you configure everything to avoid tripping hazards.
Some people feel discouraged after going through a plastic surgery procedure, and even if you are healing beautifully and well on your way to making a full recovery, this feeling is still normal and a very human response to have. Studies reveal that having a few family photos in the hospital room, as well as a memento from a special occasion or event, can help improve optimism and provide a great degree of comfort.
Even though you will likely have a television in your hospital room to help pass the days during your plastic surgery recovery period, TV can get dull quickly. Consider getting a portable gaming system, along with some word search and crossword puzzle books. You should also bring a good book or two, as well as some of your favorite magazines, as hospital gift shops tend to have thin selections.
If your hospital stay is going to be longer than a few days, you may find greater comfort in bringing your own pillows, blankets, and duvet from home. Be sure to ask the charge nurse if this is okay. It shouldn’t be a problem. Your own blankets not only represent frequently used items from home, but they also contain the smells from home that can lift your spirits. Just be sure to wash your bedding before you take it home once you are discharged from the hospital. Even though hospital rooms are regularly cleaned, bringing “hospital smells” home with you can be a real downer as you continue your recovery from plastic surgery at home.
Even though your medications will be listed in your chart, it is still ideal to have a list of all the medications you take on hand. According to the National Library of Medication, the average hospitalized patient is subjected to at least one medication error per day. A study revealed that more than 40% of medication errors are suspected to result from inferior reconciliations in handoffs during hospital admission, transfers, and patient discharges. Of these, roughly 20% result in a level of harm. You can help to avoid becoming one of these statistics by bringing a list of all your medications, and having it taped on the wall in your room next to the dry board, and next to where your chart is kept.
You may be required to wear a hospital gown, but once that order is lifted, you will be much more comfortable in your own pajamas and clothing. Make sure they are loose fitting and breathable, and their clothing shouldn’t interfere with your incisions or prevent access by doctors and medical professionals. Once you can wear your own clothing, ask your doctor, or nurse what type of clothes you are able to wear.
Finally, if you want to get a good night’s sleep, you should invest in some high-quality earplugs. While hospitals are meant to promote healing, sometimes they can get noisy at night, and that noise can carry into rooms. Look for noise canceling earplugs that are meant for sleep, as they will be comfortable and highly effective. Just be sure to let the nurse know that you are using them, so that if you can’t hear her address you, she will know to tap your shoulder to get your attention.
Follow these tips on what to bring for your hospitalization after your plastic surgery procedure, and you can significantly improve the quality of your stay and feel refreshed as you head home to finish out the final days of recovery.
In recent years, the landscape of diabetes and obesity management has been revolutionized by the introduction of advanced medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide. Both drugs have shown promise in controlling blood sugar levels and aiding in weight loss, but they come with their own set of characteristics, benefits,…
Read more...In the realm of diabetes management, breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals offer hope and improved outcomes for patients worldwide. Two medications, semaglutide and tirzepatide, have emerged as game-changers in this field, revolutionizing the treatment landscape. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the mechanisms, benefits, and considerations surrounding these innovative…
Read more...In the United States, obesity and cardiovascular diseases have reached epidemic proportions, affecting millions of lives. Amid this health crisis, a beacon of hope emerges: Semaglutide, a medication initially developed to treat diabetes, now shows promise in addressing these pervasive health challenges. This situation is particularly alarming as…
Read more...
