Of course not all of the below is needed, this list is only provided for a general guideline. You may already have a majority of the below items on hand. Blank spaces have also been added for items that you may want or need that have not been listed.

Pharmacy/Online:

1. [ ] Medications:

   1. [ ] pain meds ________________________________

   2. [ ] antibiotics ________________________________

   3. [ ] blood pressure (if applicable)__________________

   4. [ ] vitamins __________________________________

   5. [ ] other ___________________________________

   6. [ ] other __________________________________

   7. [ ] other _________________________________

2. [ ] Pill Case

3. [ ] Med Time Chart of when to take your meds. We have provided a printer-friendly version for your convenience.

4. [ ] Birth Control meds; don't forget if you are taking birth control that some antibiotics can interfere so in the event that you do have relations, use another form of protection as well.

5. [ ] Wound dressings, gauze pads and rolls

6. [ ] Steri-Strips (ask your surgeon if you will need to replace your own or if you can use them)

7. [ ] Bacitracin, polysporin, etc.

8. [ ] Hibiclens or antibacterial soap

9. [ ] Arnica Montana (www.cosmeticsurgeryshop.com)

10. [ ] Bromelain tablets (www.cosmeticsurgeryshop.com)

11. [ ] Topical arnica(not to be placed on suture line)

12. [ ] Over the counter (OTC) sleep meds like Tylenol PM, or ask surgeon for a prescription

13. [ ] Oral thermometer

14. [ ] Mild stool softeners (like Colace), although ask your surgeon first

15. [ ] Silicone sheeting (BioDermis), or silicone gel (i.e. Cimeosil, Xeragel, Mederma)

16. [ ] Moist Towelettes, make-up remover towelettes. etc.

17. [ ] Vitamin C tablets or capsules

18. [ ] ACE bandages for compression

19. [ ] OTC musclerelaxers for sore backs (ask your surgeon first!)

20. [ ] Hot water bottles/heating pads/microwavable heat packs for your back.

21. [ ] Lubriderm lotion for dry skin

22. [ ] Boxes of Kleenex

Grocery Store:

1. [ ] Bags of frozen peas or berries

2. [ ] Ritz crackers, Vanilla Wafers, Cheeze-its or Goldfish crackers to ease nausea

3. [ ] Bottled water, electrolyte or energy drinks (ask your surgeon if these are acceptable)

4. [ ] Daikon (root vegetable for cleansing the bowels) -- may be best after you are finished with your medications.

5. [ ] Low sodium canned soups

6. [ ] Vegetables

7. [ ] Fruit

8. [ ] Salmon

9. [ ] non-fat cottage cheese

10. [ ] non-fat yogurt

11. [ ] Protein and other meal replacement shakes (watch sugar percentage and vitamin E additives) Ultramet & Myoplex shakes are a good choice

12. [ ] Protein and other meal replacement bars (watch sugar percentage)

13. [ ] Jell-O, puddings, and other soft individual serving size snacks

14. [ ] bucket or large coffee can with lid (for nausea)

15. [ ] ___________________________________________

16. [ ] ___________________________________________

17. [ ] ___________________________________________

18. [ ] ___________________________________________

Department Store or Other:

1. [ ] at least 5 fluffy pillows (3 -4 under your head and back, one under your knees) Some patients like to have one on each side of them, as well.

2. [ ] or if you prefer, body pillow(s)

3. [ ] hand mirror

4. [ ] PJs's, robe, or oversized, comfortable shirts that buttons in the front

5. [ ] pair of slippers (or several pair of thick socks)

6. [ ] support garments, sports bras, etc.

7. [ ] soft hair scrunchies if you have long hair

8. [ ] a whistle, a bell, a walkie-talkie or an intercom system for alerting your caretaker

9. [ ] camera with flash and film, or a disposable camera

10. [ ] journal/notebook

11. [ ] fresh ink pens

12. [ ] lap top with long phone cord (or wireless) and power cord (or borrow friend's)

13. [ ] Gameboy or a Playstation/Nintendo for entertainment

14. [ ] Discman with your favorite CDs to listen to

15. [ ] audio books

16. [ ] books or magazines

17. [ ] fresh batteries for remote, Gameboy, Discman, booklight, etc.

18. [ ] flash light or nightlight for late night bathroom trips

19. [ ] answering machine so you can sleep, uninterrupted. (or borrow a friend's)

20. [ ] nightlights to light the way to the bathroom at night

21. [ ] small waterproof or plastic chair for the shower -- you can suddenly become dizzy from the medications, so this is for your safety. It is great for the first few showers when you are not yet steady on your feet.

22. [ ] ____________________________________

23. [ ] _____________________________________

24. [ ] ____________________________________

25. [ ] ____________________________________

26. [ ] ____________________________________

27. [ ] ____________________________________