Items to Consider Getting for Hospital and Home Recovery

[My Laparoscopic Colectomy Low Anterior Resection is January 7th]

I have been picking up ideas of things to have at the hospital and at home during recovery. Add to the list in the comments if you have additional items not shown here:

+ ABDOMINAL BINDERS: I heard to consider shorter ones if you're smaller.

+ NIGHT GOWNS: Yes, even for guys. They make them. It avoids the issue of trying to get oversized PJs so the waste band doesn't hurt. And they recommend getting ones that completely buttons down the front for ease of putting on as well as letting Doc's/Nurses check the abdomen without lifting the whole thing up.

+ PJs: For times when you want actual pants on, but I've heard oversized ones help keeping them from being too tight with a swollen abdomen as well as wearing them high. High waisted underwear is an idea too, for the same reason.

+ SLIPPERS: Slip-On type because you can't bend down.

+ HERBAL TEAS: Take them to the hospital. Fennel helps with digestive gas. Peppermint helps restart bowel functions and with CO2 gas from a laparoscopic surgery that can make its way to your shoulders. And good old Diverticulitis Tea that has peppermint plus a bunch of others that do various things. (I always have Calming Blend brand on hand anyway).

+ SOFT/FLEXIBLE ICE PACKS: The hospital will have them. Get some for home.

+ ADULT WIPES

+ DIAPER RASH CREAM: A friend recommended - Boudreaux's Butt Paste Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Cream

+ MOUTH SPRAYS: CariFree Spray helps the pH level in your mouth for cavities and bad bacteria. Biotene Dry Mouth and Fresh Breath Moisturizing Spray helps moisten your mouth from the anesthesia and dry hospital air. TheraBreath Dry Mouth Oral Spray is a popular retail choice that uses enzymes to stimulate saliva which helps fight bacteria.

+ BRACING PILLOW: Small, firm pillow to hold against your abdomen when you have to cough or sneeze to give resistance and keep your insides from moving around.

+ GRABBER: To grab things that are too high up, too low down, or too far away to grab by hand.

+ DISPOSABLE BED PADS: Like the ones they put on the beds at the hospital. Just in case you don't always have control of BMs. That way you can save washing sheets frequently.

+ BIDET: I got one off of Amazon for under $40. I haven't received it yet but they're pretty easy to install.

+ 10 FT CHARGE CORDS: To keep your phone charged. The closest outlet to your hospital bed may be too far away for a 6 ft cord.

+ BED EXIT ASSIST IDEAS:
--- A BED RAIL was recommended.
--- POWERED ADJUSTABLE BED. Pricey but I've seen them for as low as $300 and they're nice to have anyway. I have one so a bed rail isn't as important and won't work. But I ordered a...
--- BED LADDER ASSIST: Picture nylon straps made into a ladder with 1 end tied to the foot of the bed and the other within reach so you can "climb" the ladder with your arms to help sit up.
--- FREE: Roll on your side to get out of bed - some say they did fine rolling on their side and didn't need any of this to get out of bed.

+ WEDGE PILLOW: On a non-adjustable bed they help lie/sleep upright a bit so you lessen the angle at your hips to lessen the abdomen stretch when laying flat.

+ RECLINER / POWERED RECLINER / POWERED LIFT-RECLINER: I considered a Lift Recliner but with the adjustable bed I'm not going to get one.