So… I’m going to hospital next week. Never fear… before you start praying for my recovery or mourning a world without me, it’s no biggie. Just minor surgery that requires me to be in hospital for a few days.
It is, however, my first EVER stay in hospital. Well since I was born. So, that would be 47-48 years ago. Which seems like yesterday. #not
Anyhoo… although I’ve visited many a friend and family member in their sick / post-baby-delivery bed I’m currently contemplating my hospital bag, and am a tad stuck.
Naturally I’ve included the important stuff: phone, charger, iPad, books and so forth. But I’m starting to consider what to wear while there – my hospital couture if you like.
My surgery is out of town so I’m not going to be bombarded with visitors. Disheveled-ness is almost certainly warranted although I do have a hairbrush and deodorant on my packing list.
But here’s where I come unstuck.
My mother is adamant I should take a dressing gown. And is concerned about my lack of pyjamas.
However… I don’t own a dressing gown. And I only own one set of PJs. And that’s not cos I sleep naked, but rather I mix and match various t-shirts / long-sleeved shirts and loose fitting trousers; some of which are PJ pants, the others just comfy baggy pants.
Although I’m sure I’ll be clad in an attractive hospital gown for surgery, I’ll be up and wandering the corridors after afterwards so am thinking something less PJ-like would suffice without a dressing gown. If cold I’d wear my faithful Nike sweatshirt, or a not-too-nanna-like cardigan.
And while I’m confessing to my hospital couture failings, I should admit I don’t own slippers. Just socks with sticky things on the bottom to stop me slipping over (a requirement in my last apartment with floating shiny timber stairs – #lessonlearnedthehardway).
So I’m figuring my rubber-soled espadrilles will suffice. They can serve a dual purpose… for my trip TO hospital and for hikes further than the loo.
Have you been in hospital?
Any advice when it comes to hospital couture?
Original pic from Pixabay
July 7, 2016
Good luck with your surgery and I hope everything goes fine and your stay is not long. My first stay in a hospital besides birth I was two years old and had been bitten by a poisonous snake (copperhead) and almost died! The last time I was in there it was gall bladder surgery…I hope there is no more for a while!! 🙂
July 7, 2016
I’ve always had this kinda pathetic fantasy about being in hospital and having someone else to take care of me for a change. Although I didn’t actually want to be sick of course!
July 7, 2016
I don’t own a dressing gown or PJs. I just wear old leggings/pants and tshirts as PJs. I say just wear whatever is comfortable for you and that doesn’t have pressure on the wound site or allows easy access for the medical team to check where they need to.
July 7, 2016
That’s what I’m thinking Vanessa.
July 7, 2016
Your couture sounds totally okay! And you know what? I have a dressing gown and slippers (both the fluffiest and pinkest) given to me by my kids for Mother’s Day and while they make me feel like a princess at home there’s NO WAY I’d be seen dead in them in public lol! You do not need a dressing gown or slippers. I’ve had a few overnight stays in hospital and comfort is key. Soft pants and sweat shirt will do for both in and out of bed! All the best with the surgery. x
July 7, 2016
Thanks Shauna. I’m even thinking I’d like to be wearing a bra as I wander the corridors!
July 7, 2016
I agree with Vanessa, I am not the biggest fan of pjs either. Trackies and comfortable tops. Stuff that is easy to put on and doesn’t put pressure on wounds etc. I love my uggs in the hospital but hospital floors kinda gross me out so I wanted more than socks and it is cold down here so I liked the warmth. In summer though thongs would probably be fine! Hope all goes well.xxx Also some snacks because hospital food can be awful!
July 7, 2016
I figured I could wear my bedsocks to the bathroom (am really hoping to get a private room!!!) but the other shoes for the corridors!
July 7, 2016
Hi Deb .. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Have been in and out hospital a few times. I have never taken a gown with me. I would go with what’s comfortable and what you are ok to be seen in walking around. Also depends on whether you will be physically limited post surgery?
July 7, 2016
I think my usual PJs (that are not PJs) but also with a bra! 😉
July 7, 2016
I took a heap of pj’s on both my recent stays and ended up staying in the hospital gown for the entire stays. It seems to be what the cool kids wear . Good luck with it
July 7, 2016
That’s the only thing I’m a little worried about Bill, that I have to stay in the gown with the ties in the back which NEVER close properly!
July 7, 2016
Comfy tracky dacks and a nice long sleeve or short sleeve t-shirt always works for me. That way if you have to wander to the canteen etc you won’t feel so exposed or PH-ish.
July 7, 2016
Hmmm… hopefully I won’t be there long enough to need the canteen!
July 7, 2016
I am 5-6 years older than you and have not had a hospital stay except for birthing the babies. I would wear what is most comfortable. Wishing you a quick and easy surgery/recovery.
July 7, 2016
That’s Nise’.
July 7, 2016
I took printed soft pants, long line T shirts and cardigans plus a couple of long dresses, as well as Birkenstocks for my endo surgery last year.
One thing I found easier was to take battery packs and charge them rather than charging my phone / iPad. I also have a very long charging cable which came in handy.
Lip balm, hand cream and a roll on perfume oil made me feel nice when I felt very grotty.
July 7, 2016
Oh yes… I have a long tshirt which is like a nightie (I don’t wear dresses, skirts or nighties) could be handy for over my pants. And I’ll definitely need lip balm. Thanks!
July 7, 2016
So maybe a nice cheapie dressing gown so you can chuck that over whatever you feel most comfortable wearing, thinking of you Deb xxx
July 7, 2016
I really can’t be bothered buying one Em. My mother tells me there’s something of my dad’s at her place… but I’m yet to investigate!
July 8, 2016
Okay then borrow one, safe some Moolah too! Otherwise just be comfy and don’t give two whoots about what others think. YOU ROCK xx
July 7, 2016
I say wear whatever your comfortable wearing pj wise. I don’t normally wear a dressing gown at home but did when I was in hospital for back surgery…felt a bit naked without it and plus it can get a bit chilly in hospital corridors. I don’t know what sort of surgery your having but slippers and just easier to slip on and off than shoes (if your going to be sore/ limited in movement in any way). Good luck!
July 7, 2016
I actually just found some old scuffed slip on type slippers (I forgot I had) Sarah (am actually wearing them now as my tiles are cold!) so I might throw them in. They’d be good for my trips to the loo.
July 7, 2016
I *love* PJs, so own far too many than necessary, but not a single dressing gown. I would pack my trusty uggs & sweatshirt. It’s considered “lounge wear” these days anyway, so your assortment sounds fine. And the sticky socks are perfect too. Can you take an audio book too in case you’re not feeling up to reading?
July 7, 2016
Am out of audiobooks but could look into it as have a few days yet. I love flannelette PJs but only if they’re super baggy – which has been a problem for me the last few years.
July 8, 2016
They won’t want you to be wearing pjs because they want to have easy access to your body, sorry for that thought 🙂
You will want to have something long— if a dressing gown is a bathrobe in my neck of the woods, then that’s what you definitely need. You will be paraded up and down the hallway to break up the gas bubbles and you need something to cover your back and bottom adequately. If you don’t have that, do you or can you borrow something to your knees? Just trying to be helpful here.
July 8, 2016
Also, between the morphine pump or whatever they’ll give you, and the grogginess, for the first full day you won’t feel that great and I doubt you can read a book. I couldn’t do anything but sleep or daydream. Bring an audiobook if you have or just a magazine you can skim through. Just my advice again, Deb. You do what you think is right.
July 8, 2016
A magazine is a good idea Rita. Must also find out if they have Wifi for social media purposes – which is always good for killing 5 or 30 minutes now and then!
July 8, 2016
Nooooo Rita. Say it isn’t so! #joking Will ponder on this one…
July 8, 2016
Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and whatever you would wear at home. I’d just ensure its loose and not too tight especially over the surgery site and that it allows the doctors and nurses easy access to whatever body part they will need to be checking post surgery.
July 8, 2016
Am starting to think I might need a few options! Thanks Ingrid.
July 8, 2016
Treat yourself to a fluffy robe. Hospital blankets are always too thin!
July 8, 2016
I only just bought my first pair of pjs as an adult. In summer, I sleep in shorts and singlets, winter it’s loose pants and long sleeve old tees. I do have a dressing gown though I wouldn’t be caught dead in it anywhere but home. It’s only because I don’t have heating at home so it serves that purpose in winter. Must admit I haven’t been to hospital so Im not sure what the fashion advice would be apart from comfort! Hope all goes well xx
July 8, 2016
My sleepwear sounds very much like yours Sanch!
July 8, 2016
I’d go tracksuit pants/leggings with sweatshirt and a cardigan. Hospitals can get pretty cold from memory (last time I was in was to give birth 23 odd years ago). I’d even bring a rug because they may not have a spare blanket – which they didn’t when I was there. Just wear what you’re comfortable in. There’s no dress code.
I hope it all goes smoothly and you’re out quickly.
July 8, 2016
It’s a private hospital Char so hopefully they’re well stocked with blankets etc… I think the only hitch will be if I’m needing to have a drip in or something.
July 8, 2016
My advice, yoga pants and tank tops- comfy yet still ‘dressed’. More comfortable if you have people visiting you. So hard to take someone seriously in their jarmies 😉
July 9, 2016
And the only pair of PJs I own are Elmo PJs!
July 8, 2016
Sounds like you’ve got it covered. You might like to include a pair of thongs for the shower. Hope all goes well!!!
July 9, 2016
Thanks Janet!
July 9, 2016
The last time I stayed in the hospital I was two, and I’m sure fashion trends have changed since Little Mermaid and Aladdin were popular. 🙂 I don’t own any actual sets of PJs either because I often have issues with the tops not fitting right due to my bust. Like you, I mix various Tshirts with soft pants or shorts. I don’t own a dressing gown, either. Most women I know don’t. I think you will be fine with what you have – as long as you are comfortable in it. I hope the procedure goes well and you’re back home soon!
July 9, 2016
Ohhh…. I’m not sure that Arial or Aladdin ever go out of style! 😉
July 10, 2016
Hi Deb – well you’ve been advised so much, but I feel I just wanted to add my thoughts for you. I have had 22 operations (had bone cancer & SO much else) & this year I had a stroke (bummer eh) but Im ok now thank goodness. I can tell you this – EVERY time Ive been admitted to hospital, you HAVE to change into a hospital gown. Amen – thats it!! Some of the above advice Im sure is from your ‘younger fans’ who I too have seen in hospitals usually after having a baby, they dress like they are just casual at home. Im older than you (but not at a Nursing Home , God forbid) just a single wise woman, and I can assure you, you WILL need a dressing gown because you WILL be in a hospital gown before & after surgery (& yes they dont usually meet at the back to do up, unless one is very slim (Im not), and you WILL be very cold – the anaesthetic makes you cold & shivery, you only get one blankie on your bed, plus the hospitals are keep cool, why I dont know!! And please buy some cheap slippers with a solid sole – unless you are in a luvly private room (doesnt always happen). You have to share a bathroom with others and Im afraid, not even some Ladies are as clean and respectful as you & I might be when you go to the loo and shower. I will not go into details, but I can assure you, you will be glad you have slippers on and a dressing gown. Take your old pj’s as well (just in case). I wear my old Chinese kimono from an op shop as my dressing gown and I wear my blue bling little slippers – yep I dont care what others think, it makes me feel so much better, because -a la natural- after an operation is not my best look!! Yes take a book or mag, the days are VERY long, they wake you up very early, or if you havent been into hospital before, you most probably wont sleep anyway, cause the Night staff are popping in & out to take your temp etc every few hours plus there are usually other very sick people needing attention who inadvertently will keep you awake too. Other than all this, you will be fine my luv – you have no idea what Ive been through and Ive come out the other end – amazingly! Luv your blog, and I hope all goes well as I know it will. Oh one more little hint – you are allowed to have your curtain pulled around your bed if you dont feel like talking to other patients or there are yukky things happening in your Ward. Im a VERY sociable person, but when sick, I just want to be alone (think Greta Garbo said this). Take care Dear Deb, will be thinking of you. See I cant just write : ‘no take a dressing gown, buy slipper’, because I feel you need to know what its REALLY like by someone whose been there-done that once too often. Much luv Cathy xxxxx
July 10, 2016
Hi Cathy and thank you so much for your comment and lovely words. I’m so sorry to hear of your hospital history and realise I’m ridiculously lucky to have made it this far without anything other than a few day surgeries!
I’ve decided to take a light dressing gown of my mother’s. It doesn’t do up but is long and light and will cover up that wretched split at the back of the hospital gown when I wander corridors! Hopefully now I’m all covered. (Pun intended!) xx
July 10, 2016
I love Cathy’s comment. She is spot on about hospitals being cold. Cheap pair of warm and fluffy slippers will ought to do it and a dressing gown. Kmart has a great range of cheap comfortable “leisure wear”. Hospital couture aside, good luck on the surgery. I’m going in for a day procedure next week. I don’t have an overnight stay but still a bit nervous…
July 11, 2016
I’m not sure I’m nervous Grace, but I’m something… a sense of anticipation or something. Perhaps some fear of the unknown.
July 10, 2016
Well.. I have never been to the hospital as a patient myself. But I do work there so I definitely see a lot of hospital couture. 😉 I would advise something that feels comfortable, PJ’s or big t-shirts.. whatever feels good for you. But the most important thing.. Shoes or slippers with hard soles!! I see a lot of patients who only wear socks and they slip easily and you never know what is lying on those hospital floors. Not to mention the sharp things that can lie on the floor. Last week I got something sharp stuck in my work shoe.. Just saying!! 😉
Good luck Deb and I hope you get home soon!
July 11, 2016
Eek! I’m definitely planning to wear my espadrilles to walk the corridors Maureen. They’ve got rubber soles and are really comfy. THey’re closed-in but easy to slip on… even if my feet are swollen or something.
July 13, 2016
I have tried so many times to message you through word press but it won’t send for some reason. I visited my mother in law in hospital a few weeks ago, God it was fabulous. I was actually wishing I could just climb into a bed and stay there. Then Pippa had a small procedure and I was wishing the same thing but it was in the pediatrics section so I didn’t stand a chance. So I hope your hospital is as glamorous as, that the staff are just as lovely and that the food is just as good.
July 14, 2016
I’m out already and really only wore one outfit for most of my time (so I had a lot of excess stuff!). The nurses were just lovely. I would have liked to have seen more (some) of my surgeon after but his office is contactable so I can follow up! I have to admit I was in too much pain for the first night and half a day so didn’t really get the pampering I’d always hoped for! (Guess that’s the problem with hospital… you have to be unwell to be there!)
July 14, 2016
So pleased you are home now Deb and over the horrible experience of pain, but dont be a hero darling, keep your pain meds up every day if you have to. As I said before I have had lots of ops and every time I have been told to keep taking the pain meds as it is so much easier to control your pain if the levels are kept regulated, otherwise too many highs and lows. As for your Surgeon, yep – they are so busy and only do their job and they’re off. My Surgeon told me, after quite a few ops with him, that he cant get personal with any of his patients, as he is so pushed for time to just help each one out in the short time he is allocated. Yes its all a business, but they are very clever people and I wouldnt still be here without my wonderful Specialist/s. Spoil yourself Deb, lay around, stay in your pj’s, and dont do anything. Hope you are much better real soon, luv Cathy xxx
July 15, 2016
Thanks Cathy. I did only see the surgeon very briefly after surgery but the nurses were mostly great. I possibly rushed home a bit too often as I crashed and burned a little today – dehydration I suspect – but am feeling better today and suspect each day will see an improve. Thanks for your lovely comment and good wishes.