7 Things You Should Never Take With You to the Hospital When Having Surgery

When having surgery, there are items that you are required to take to the hospital, such as a photo ID and a list of your medications. There's also your favorite book that you'll want to have with you to make your stay a little more comfortable. However, some things should not be taken to the hospital even if you think you can't live without them. I will venture to say that your doctors won't let you die from email deprivation because you left your laptop at home.

To help you decide, here's a list of items that you may want to leave at home and some reasons why you should.

1. Food and Drink

Chances are good that you will be on a doctor-ordered diet for a few days after surgery. All of your dietary needs will then come from the hospital cafeteria. It's not exactly savory, but you'll need to eat that diet and that diet alone so don't bother gathering up your favorite foods and drinks for your hospital stay. Besides that, you won't have any conveniences such as a refrigerator, microwave, or can opener in your recovery room.

2. Clothing

When you feel sick at home, it always helps to put on your comfy flannel pajamas, wrap up in your silk robe, and walk around in your fuzzy slippers. And you know that at the hospital you will be wearing a flimsy gown that is too big and flashes your rear when you walk. You may be tempted to pack your go-to lounging around garb. But, in the hospital, you risk losing or even ruining those coveted comfort jammies. Leave them at home and look forward to wearing them when you get back home.

3. Nice Linens

Let's face it, hospitals don't exactly brag about their high-thread count sheets or plush pillows. And unless the sheets on the hospital bed are at least 500-thread count and the pillow under your head is made of memory foam, you might find it hard to sleep. You think that you may get better, even more recuperative rest if you take in some of your own quality linens. I wouldn't recommend that you do. Like clothing, linens are likely to get lost or ruined while you are recovering in the hospital. If you absolutely cannot fall asleep on those hospital linens, the nurse can always give you something to help you sleep. But if you're like me and want to take as little medication as possible, you might find that a sound machine (one that produces sounds of ocean waves, nighttime crickets, etc.) can help lull you into a more restful peaceful sleep, even while you're lying upon those minus100 thread-count linens.

4. Scented Candles or Air Freshener

Aromatherapy is effective at easing you into the right mood and frame of mind to accelerate healing. The flickering flames of candles alone can create an atmosphere of peace and relaxation. And, anything would improve the sanitary yet unsettling smell of hospital rooms. However, lighting candles and fogging the room with Febreeze is not the best of ideas for two reasons. For one, the aroma that pleases you may sicken another. Even when you are in a private room, the aroma can waft throughout the corridors and into other patient's rooms. And two, certain products that alter the air may cause complications for other recovering patients, especially ones with conditions such as asthma.

5. Jewelry

Jewelry should never be taken to the hospital, and this includes your wedding set. Before surgery, you will be required to take it off, all of it. This is the time when jewelry can get lost or even stolen. (Sad but true, jewelry frequently does get stolen in the hospital.) Save yourself the hassle and worry by leaving all of your jewelry at home, where it will be safe and sound. Remember, you are in the hospital to heal, not be a Fashionista.

6. Credit Cards or Cash

There is not one thing that you need to buy in the hospital. Your food, room, and maid services are all included in that huge bill at the end of your stay. Like jewelry...cash, credit and debit cards are easily stolen or lost while in the hospital. You don't want to leave the hospital with less money than you came in with or even worse, a stolen identity. So leave the pocketbook and wallet at home.

7. Work-Related Items

Cell phones, laptops, briefcases, and anything else related to work should be left at...well, work. At the hospital, focus on your recovery. You can focus on your work duties later when you return to the office. Stressing over work related issues would only interfere with your rest and serenity and hinder your healing. Save the work for when you are back in tip-top shape and can really get things done.

Not having to worry about the items mentioned above will leave you with more peace of mind so you can focus solely upon your healing. After all, isn't that why you are going into the hospital in the first place - to heal, right? Trust me, you'll never miss any of these items, and they will be waiting for you the same as you left them when you get home.

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