When I was getting ready for my explant surgery, I was nervous I would forget to pack something important. I thought I’d help others by putting together a list of the top 5 items that are highly recommended to bring, and that I used myself. I have also included several other things (26!) you might not have thought about, to help you on your trip and with your healing.
- Loose comfy clothes that you can pull on and off without extending your arms.
- Pouch or lanyard to hold your drains.
- Pillow or two for extra support for sleeping and for the trip home.
- Water bottle with straw that doesn’t leak.
- Smooth Move tea for constipation.
Here is a little more detail on why these items are so important, along with the additional items you might want to consider bringing.
At the bottom of the page I have included a printable pdf list you can use to cross off items as you pack.
1. Loose comfy clothes that you can pull on and off without extending your arms
One of the most important things to focus on when packing is bringing comfy clothes that are easy to get on and off – shirts with buttons or wide necks you can step into, and loose pants that are easy to pull up without struggling work well.
This is not the time for yoga pants – as comfy as you may usually find them. The struggle to pull them up and down is not a strain you want during this time!
Don’t make the mistake of bringing too many clothes, since you’ll mostly just be resting and taking it easy in your room after surgery.
Depending on your length of stay, I recommend 2 pairs of pajamas, 2 button-up or wide neck shirts, 2 loose-fitting pants, and 1-2 hoodies or cardigans. That should leave plenty of room for some of the extra comforts and necessities in the list.
These pajamas are super soft and get a lot of rave reviews in the support groups:
2. Pouch or lanyard to hold your drains
You may or may not have drains put in, depending on if your surgeon feels you need them.
But if you do, they usually stay in for 1-14 days, and most women find they’re a bit of a pain. Try to focus on the fact they’re there to help drain what shouldn’t be inside your body and they’re helping you recover. Embracing them for their purpose will help get you through!
You want to support the weight of the drains and keep them from getting caught on things, and a drain pouch or lanyard will be extremely helpful for this.
3. Pillow or two for extra support for sleeping and for the trip home
If you have room in your car you can bring along a pregnancy or wedge pillow.
If you want to keep things simple, use the pillows provided at the hotel or Airbnb. You can ask ahead of time if extra pillows are available. Use them to help prop you up so you’re more comfortable.
4. Water bottle with straw that doesn’t leak
This makes it easy to keep it on the bed with you (no reaching). An attached straw is even better so you don’t have to tip it up with your arms.
I learned this the hard way when I realized the water bottle I bought had to be tipped every time I drank, which was not good for my arms. Luckily my husband found a leak-proof one close by at Walmart.
Here is one you can order online that is similar to what I used.
5. Smooth Move tea
This is to help with constipation from anesthesia and pain medications. I’m telling you this is a miracle worker! Or you can try magnesium or stool softeners.
Start taking whatever you choose right after surgery to avoid getting to a point where you’re very uncomfortable. You want to be proactive on this one, or you’ll probably regret it.
I made a tea at bedtime on the same night as my surgery, and by the next morning I was good! I highly recommend the peppermint flavour Smooth Move Tea, as the regular flavour tastes like black licorice. If you really like black licorice then it might be right up your alley.
26 additional items you might not have thought of…
Antibacterial wipes
To clean doorknobs, switches etc. at the hotel room or Airbnb, to lower chance of infection.
Arnica gel and arnica tablets
Consider taking tablets before surgery, with your surgeon’s approval, to help with bruising.
Gel can be applied around breasts and where you are sore, but just make sure you don’t apply it to incisions.
Baby wipes
For when you can’t shower and for stinky armpits if your body is detoxing. I bought natural wipes and they were such a help!
Blanket
For warmth and comfort on the drive home. I brought a throw and used it at our Airbnb all week while I was watching shows on the couch, and used it in the car as well.
Books (paper or Kindle) and other things to pass the time
Great when waiting for your pre and post-ops, and for resting and healing. Other things you can bring to help pass the time while you are resting are magazines, a deck of cards, a sketch pad and drawing pencils, a journal, and a laptop or tablet.
Cell phone charger – 10’
Bring a long charger if possible, to make sure it reaches you in case plugs are at a distance. I kept my phone right beside me on the bed in case I needed to call my husband if I was in bed resting and he couldn’t hear me.
Chapstick
Many women find their lips are really dry after surgery.
Compression socks
If you have low blood pressure, to help prevent clots (put on before surgery as it will be too hard to put them on after).
I have low blood pressure but I didn’t use these myself since my surgeon uses his own compression during surgery. I also just made sure I got up and walked around at least once an hour. See what your surgeon recommends.
Cough drops
Your throat might be sore from intubation.
Crackers, granola bars
For snacks and to eat before pills so you’re not taking them on an empty stomach.
I found I was always hungry during the night so I made sure I always had a supply with me since I couldn’t just get out of bed easily.
Ear plugs
There might be noise surrounding your hotel or Airbnb, and you want to make sure you get lots of sleep.
Hat
If you aren’t allowed to shower yet (or don’t feel like it), a hat will help hide messy hair for post-op appointments, or when you go out for a (short) walk.
Maxi pads or nursing pads
To put inside your bra if you have bleeding and to protect incisions if your bra rubs them.
Medication
Any medication you take should be in their original containers if you are flying for surgery.
Neck pillow
Another type of pillow you can bring for support if it works well for you.
Roku or other streaming device
This was invaluable for binge-watching Netflix and Amazon Prime at our Airbnb, since we would have only had local tv stations otherwise.
Pineapple juice or bromelain tablets
For inflammation and swelling. Bromelain is the key ingredient you’re getting from pineapple juice, minus the sugar.
Slippers or fluffy socks
Amazing how much these will comfort you as you rest and heal.
Slip-on shoes or boots
You don’t want to be fussing with laces or buckles for a while.
Soothing teas or lozenges (like Rescue Remedy lozenges)
To help you relax or sleep after surgery.
Tampons or pads
Surgery tends to bring on your period when you’re not expecting it. Make sure you’re prepared!
Tylenol (extra strength)
For pain relief if you don’t feel your pain is bad enough to need prescribed pain meds.
Even though I had a total capsulectomy as well as a full lift, I only took 2 pain meds, and then switched to XS Tylenol for the next 3-4 days. After that I didn’t take anything, and just had some soreness that I could handle.
Vitamin C
To help promote healing, but speak to your surgeon about taking any vitamins or supplements before or after surgery.
Wifi booster
If you’re somewhere the internet might not be strong enough (for streaming Netflix). This came in handy at our Airbnb since the router was on the opposite side of the apartment as the living room tv.
Zipper front compression or sports bras
Find out if your surgeon provides a surgical bra and if they don’t you’ll want to have a couple ready. Look for one that has a longer length so it’s not sitting on your incisions. Read my review here for the bras I ordered and tried out.
Zipper hoodies and/or cardigans
It’s good to have layers to self-regulate for temperature. This also makes your button-up or wide neck tank tops from the summer super useful, and even in the winter by throwing one of these overtop.
Handy things for when you get home
Back scratcher
You might find you’re really itchy from pain meds, detox and healing, so this can be useful to put you out of your misery.
Make sure you reach from below, not above. You should be keeping your arms by your side and not stretching them or you could tear a stitch or cause other damage. I couldn’t find a back scratcher so I bought a long ruler and used that.
Lap tray
This can be handy so you’re not constantly reaching for things. Great to use for eating, for your water bottle, book for reading, and tv remotes.
I personally just had things on my lap or right beside me on the bed at the Airbnb and when I got home.
Step Stool
Hopefully you have one or two of these in strategic locations so you can avoid reaching for things.
Wedge pillow or pregnancy pillow
Sleeping is not the most comfortable thing after surgery, and these pillows can help support you in a semi-upright position.
They may be too large to bring with you on your trip, but if you are driving rather than flying, you could bring one or the other in your car for your hotel or Airbnb, as mentioned above.
I brought a pregnancy pillow and I’m so glad I did! I used additional pillows to prop the pregnancy pillow up more.
Other tips and things to consider
Valuables
It’s a good idea to leave anything valuable at home, rather than take the chance of anything getting lost or stolen.
Air Travel
If you are flying – whether you have someone travelling with you or not – it’s a good idea to phone the airline ahead of time and let them know you will have had surgery and need to be assisted through the airport on your way home.
They will bring a wheelchair for you and push you through – which might feel like overkill – but you have just had major surgery and there is usually quite a bit of walking through the airport and standing in line.
You might also be brought to the front of customs, which is helpful so you can get out of the airport and home to rest as soon as possible.
Travelling Alone
You won’t be allowed to drive yourself after surgery (obviously!) and you really shouldn’t be driving for at least 2 weeks after, so I don’t recommend going alone unless you’re flying, and unless there is a recovery centre and/or nursing care where you’re going.
If you are travelling alone, pack light! Try to take one small swivel-type suitcase or carry-on if possible, to make it as easier to handle your luggage.
Choose what to bring with you very carefully because you shouldn’t be lifting anything more than 10-15 lbs. If you have someone at the airport to help you through, they will most likely handle your suitcase as well. Ask someone for help lifting your carry-on into the compartment on the plane.
The Packing List
This list is meant to help and make things easier for you. It’s not a list of everything you SHOULD pack – you can decide what works for you to bring or leave behind. It’s your journey, and you’re the best judge of what you might want or need.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference to your comfort and healing.
Printable Explant Surgery Packing List
