What to Bring for a Hospital Stay After Shoulder or Elbow Surgery

Our patients often ask us what to bring when planning to have an inpatient surgery (one that requires a short hospital stay before going home). Generally speaking, the hospital will provide basic items you may need like shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste; however, we recommend that you also bring things that will make you feel comfortable. Remember, you are not sick, you are recovering from surgery! Please refer to the lists below while preparing for your visit.

What to Bring:

• Photo ID
• Insurance card
• Advanced Directive
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, facewash, lotion)
• Hairbrush or comb
• Comfortable clothing—loose shirts, either button-up or tank top are easiest to put on, as are pants with elastic waistbands
• Robe to wear over hospital gown
• CPAP machine (if you use one)
• Contacts/glasses/hearing aids
• Assistive devices you use at home (walker, cane)
• Entertainment (tablet, book)
• Medication list*
• Pillow/blanket (the hospital does provide these, but they are often not as comfortable as what you may have at home)
• Phone (a manual phone is provided, but you might want your cell for the saved contacts and other uses)

What to Leave at Home:

• Valuables (jewelry, cash)
• Medications*
• Cigarettes and other nicotine products (really not good for healing from surgery)

It may be helpful to know that you will likely be up walking around in your provided hospital gown and non-skid socks within hours after surgery, and most of our patients go home the next morning after working with the therapists, who will help you bathe, dress, and show you how to safely remove and put on your sling.

Food and beverage are provided and dietary needs can be accommodated, such as if you are diabetic or suffer from celiac disease.  However, you are not limited to only eating the hospital food in most cases, so if your Mom’s strawberry cake or your brother’s barbecue would give you some comfort, feel free to bring it if there is something in particular you would like.

If you have any other questions regarding your upcoming surgery, please contact us at 405-278-8006.

*If you take prescription medications, bring a list of those.  In most cases, you will receive your normal medications or an equivalent med from the hospital pharmacy during your stay.   Some medicines are held around the time of surgery because of risk or bleeding or interaction with other medications, such as anesthesia.  If you take a medication where a device dispenses multiple doses, such as an inhaler or insulin pen, or if you have a unique medication such as one that you pick up at a compounding pharmacy, please bring those medications with you for use in the hospital.  An order can be written for you to take a home medication if it is appropriate in light of your surgery and it’s something that is not available from the hospital pharmacy.  Do NOT bring controlled substances such as narcotic pain medications. If you have other home medications you would like to bring and take, they will need to be in the original packaging with a clear label so that our pharmacy team can verify these medications.

Please click here for the downloadable checklist.

By Oklahoma Shoulder Center PLLC

February 1, 2020