You’ll be at the surgical center 4-6 hours total. Don’t overpack. The 9 things that matter: front-button shirt for the ride home, slip-on shoes, ID + insurance card, phone + charger, list of medications, glasses (NOT contacts), discharge clothes that work over a sling, the contact info of who’s picking you up, and patience for the post-op grogginess.
1. A loose, front-button shirt for the ride home
You’ll arrive in regular clothes; you’ll leave in a sling. Wear a button-front shirt or zip hoodie when you arrive — same shirt comes home with one sleeve hanging loose around the sling.
Don’t wear a t-shirt. Don’t wear a pullover. Don’t wear anything you have to get over your head.
2. Slip-on shoes
You’ll be groggy from anesthesia. Tying laces with one hand on pain meds is asking for trouble. Slip-ons, velcro, or any zero-tying option.
3. ID, insurance card, and surgery paperwork
Required for check-in. Bring originals. The surgical center will likely have you sign more forms post-op too.
4. Phone + charger
You’ll be in pre-op for 60-90 minutes before they wheel you in. Charger because you may sit in recovery for a while. Don’t forget the cord.
5. Your medication list (including OTC and supplements)
Bring a printed list. Anesthesia and post-op recovery teams need to know everything you take, including supplements (some affect bleeding). Stop NSAIDs and certain supplements per your surgeon’s pre-op instructions.
6. Glasses — NOT contacts
You can’t wear contacts in surgery. If you need vision, glasses. Bring a case.
7. Discharge clothes (loose pants, no zippers)
Elastic waist sweatpants or joggers. NOT jeans. NOT anything with a button or zipper you’d need two hands for. The sling will be on; you can’t reach across your body easily.
8. Confirmed ride-home arrangement
You CANNOT drive home. The surgical center won’t release you without a driver. Confirm 24 hours before. Have a backup. Bring their phone number on paper, not just in your phone.
9. Realistic expectations
You’ll be groggy for 6-8 hours. You won’t remember half of post-op. The nerve block makes the arm feel disturbingly absent — that’s expected; it wears off in 12-24 hours and pain meds bridge the transition. Bring patience.
What NOT to bring
Frequently Asked Questions
From the Inspired Comforts collection.
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Sources
- American College of Surgeons — Preparing for Surgery
- American Society of Anesthesiologists — asahq.org
