Anyone who knows me knows I am a highly organized person. I attribute my organizational skills to my lists. I have lists for everything: ranging from managing my 3 businesses to personal to-dos. I am old-school with my lists, I have a yellow legal pad of paper and I write things down as they come to mind. I take great pride in crossing off the completed task with a thick black sharpie marker. Some people may think I am borderline OCD, I call it being on top of things. After all, for me, if I don’t write it down, its not going to happen. Being 7 weeks out from my left PAO surgery, I have a new set of lists. I have the “to-do list before March 26” (that is my departure date) and the “ultimate PAO surgery trip packing list”. Below is my PAO packing list (does not include personal items for the week before surgery). It is a bit unique as I am flying to California for my surgery. My recovery will be split between my sister’s house in California and my home in Colorado, and I am buying two sets of a few things to have in each place. I have compiled my list from referencing my friend’s PAO blog and from my hip dysplasia reference book. If you are soon having PAO surgery, I hope you find the below list useful! (note: most of the items that I noted as “order” – I am ordering from Amazon.com, they seem to have the best prices. I provided links when available) Packing list for surgery and hospital stay: (REVISED 5.22.14 to actual items I used)
- Photo ID and insurance card
- Toiletries: favorite facial cleansing wipes, favorite lotion, lip balm, deodorant, brush
- Hat (wear from hospital)
- shirt and loose PJ pants – wear to/from hospital
- slip on shoes – wear to/from hospital
- mp3 player, headphones and charger
- cell phone and charger
- eye-mask and earplugs
- throat lozenges (throat may be sore after breathing tube)
- few personal trinkets: my favorite crystal and stuffed animal
- crutches and walker
- Bag to carry everything
- A nice comfy, soft blanket
For Home Recovery:
- Walker with basket
- Mobileg Ultra crutches
- Raised toilet seat
- Shower chair
- Long handled sponge for showering
- Leg lift
- “Reacher” device
- Water bottle with screw on lid
- Ice packs
- Elevated leg rest
- Lots of pillows for support (2 behind back, 1-2 under knees when sitting)
- Tray for meals in bed
- Awesome ass cushion (aka Forever Comfy seat cushion) for wheelchair and flight home
Hip2bHippy 
In addition to a regular toothbrush and toothpaste, I also packed the Wisp single use disposable toothbrushes with built in toothpaste for my hospital stay. I found these easier to use the first couple days when I was mostly in bed.
I’m at day 8 post op right now and I’ve been wearing knee length button down sleep shirts since I left the hospital. They’re easy to maneuver and provide good coverage when walking around the house with crutches or the walker. I haven’t even tried to put on underwear or sweat pants yet.
Beth, thank you for the helpful tips, I will certainly add those to the list! Wishing you a speedy and full recovery! Best, Jen