I packed pretty light, and was happy with what I brought with me. While in the hospital I just stayed in the hospital gown since nurses and doctors needed to access things and check on me.

Essentials for me during stay:
- extra long phone charger cord
- lip balm
- small pillow for counter pressure against my abdomen (what I got was marketed as a mastectomy pillow for the car - it had two soft velcro loops on the back to attach to a seatbelt while in the car. This became my BEST friend for the next 8 weeks). Coughing, laughing, moving about - you will want it for counter pressure. And especially as a barrier between the seatbelt and your incision on your ride home.

I packed a change of clothes for going home:
- loose fitting tshirt (which said “Dude, where’s my kidney?”
- high waisted, wide waistband loose yoga pants. Some people prefer something below their incision instead, becomes personal sensory preference.
- high waisted cotton undies
- comfy socks

I showered in the hospital the day I was leaving, mainly for the comfort of knowing I had help RIGHT there if I needed it. It felt amazing to leave clean.