Hey y'all, I'm about to have my letter for top surgery and I want to start collecting the post-surgery kit (compression socks, dry shampoo, etc.). If all goes to plan, I'll finally get this load off my chest by June. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions or insight as to what I should get. I understand some supplies are unexpected. Any help would be appreciated.

This may be a start:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,151041.0.html

I posted a video on the above thread.

--Jay

I got dry shampoo but never used it. I was able to wash my hair in the sink. Nothing special just the little handheld sprayer. I used tongs, like kitchen tongs to grab things out of reach. After your drains are removed I have to cover the nips with neosporine and gauze. So get a bunch now. Also get some extra strength tylenol. It's the only over the counter pain med I was allowed to take. I'd advise you to move all necessary items that are in cabinets or shelves to counters or lower shelves. I couldn't reach above shoulder height for over a week. I didn't need compression socks. I'd gather button downs too. I've been building up my stock for months. Also sneakers you can slip on are important. I was rocking my vans atwoods, tied really loose. people say wear sweatpants I found regular pants to be better as I could undo them, makes it a lot easier to pull them up and down.

Also I have a lot of details in my tumblr if you want to check it out the link is in my signature below.

Don't forget boredom beating things. TV and Netflix can get old fast.... I also did not need compression socks, which is good because I have such a special dislike reserved just for compression socks thanks to the multiple surgeries and hospital stays I had to have last year. I personally can not see how one could get them on and off without assistance. Once the nurse wasn't going to fight me over them they were promptly....removed.

Also you may want to try dry shampoo before relying on it. Back before transitioning I had color (bright neon colors...) extensions in my hair and couldn't always wash it in the shower and I had a really hard time finding dry shampoo that worked. Most of them made me want to wash my hair even more.

A shower head with a hose is sooooo much more useful, and maybe someone to help you wash your hair while kneeling over a tub or leaning over a sink?

Shirts that you don't have to pull over your head are nice. I got lucky since my mom is a seamstress and had a hysterectomy years earlier. To prepare for her surgery we got some tshirts and cut the fronts in half and then added snaps after hemming and altering the cuts to look nice and professional (mom owns a sewing business). So far they have gone through my mom's surgery and both of mine. They were very comfy to sleep in also.