Care packages & baskets
How to Put Together a Surgery Recovery Care Package
After surgery, people often struggle with dry mouth, limited movement, boredom and clothes that rub on dressings. A recovery package that tackles those problems — loose clothing, bendy straws, lip balm, a hands-free phone mount and easy entertainment — is far more useful than anything decorative.
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Match the package to the surgery
Ask the family what kind of surgery it is (as much as they're comfortable sharing). Clothing and mobility aids vary a lot between, say, knee surgery and abdominal surgery. When in doubt, choose items that are useful for anyone.
Item-by-item list
Clothing that's easy on incisions
- Loose, front-opening tops or button-up pajamas (good after shoulder, chest or breast surgery)
- Wide-leg or tear-away-style pants for leg and knee surgery
- High-waisted or very soft waistbands for abdominal surgery
- Grip socks and slip-on shoes — no bending to tie laces
Eating and drinking
- Reusable bendy straws for drinking while lying back
- An insulated tumbler with a lid and straw
- Sugar-free mints or lozenges for dry mouth (ask if they're allowed)
Comfort
- Unscented lip balm
- A small pillow to hold against the abdomen when coughing (many surgical teams recommend splinting with a pillow)
- An eye mask and earplugs
- A soft throw blanket
Hands-free help
- A flexible phone or tablet holder that clamps to the bed rail or table
- An extra-long charging cable
- A reacher-grabber tool for picking things up without bending
Entertainment
- Audiobooks or podcasts on a gift card
- Puzzle books with easy-grip pens
- A streaming service gift card for long afternoons on the couch
For the recovery at home
- A meal train or meal delivery gift card
- A shower chair or long-handled sponge (ask first — the care team may provide guidance)
- Offers of practical help: driving to follow-up appointments, picking up prescriptions
What to skip
- Heavy, hard-to-open packaging
- Strongly scented products
- Food that conflicts with post-operative diet instructions