If you’re waiting for your surgery date, you’ve undoubtedly considered what to wear and what not to wear. It may be tough to adequately prepare for surgery if this is your first time, so we’ve created this guide to assist you.
What to Wear The Day of Your Surgery
During your surgery, it’s recommended to dress in loose, comfortable clothes. Consider where you’ll be having surgery to determine what garments would work best for your incision site and the dressing that will cover it during recovery. Wear clothing with broad arm and leg openings to prevent the material from rubbing against the incision site. For surgical wear, the following loose-fitting garments are recommended:
- Sweatpants: Loose exercise pants or sweatpants with an elastic band will help with not putting any pressure on your belly or other regions.
- Shorts with a loose fit: If you’re having surgery, wear shorts to avoid your trousers rubbing against the dressing afterward. Of course this depends on the time of the year, warm or cold weather.
- Button-down shirt: As you change into your surgical gown, a shirt with buttons in the front is simple to take off and put on. This is especially helpful if you are receiving surgical treatments such as tummy tuck or breast augmentation surgery.
- Slip-on shoes: If you’re having arm lift surgery and won’t be able to easily slip on or tie your shoes, wear shoes that are simple to remove and put on.
- Hair tie or elastic band: Before surgery, you may wish to tie your long hair into a ponytail or braid and secure it with an elastic band to keep it out of the way.
What Not to Wear on the Day of Your Surgery
When deciding what to wear on your surgery day, there are a few things you should avoid doing or taking with you that you should keep in mind. It’s vital to remember that you’ll be recovering in the hospital or at an outpatient clinic, and you’ll be wearing the same clothing you were wearing before the treatment.
Leave these things at home when deciding what clothing to wear during surgery:
- Body piercings and jewelry: All jewelry, including your wedding ring, should be left at home. If you can’t remove your wedding band off your finger, let your surgical team know. They may be able to cover it with plaster or tape to protect it.
- Shoes that need tying: Wear shoes that are easy to slide on and off. You may also have difficulties bending down or tying your shoes with your hands, depending on the kind of surgery you had.
- High heels: If you’re undergoing any kind of surgery, you should avoid wearing high heels. High heels are difficult to walk in, and you may struggle to maintain your equilibrium following your surgery.
- Tight trousers, underwear, pantyhose, and knee-high stockings: After abdominal surgery, tight pants, underwear, pantyhose, and knee-high stockings may be difficult to wear. It’s also possible that you’ll have trouble putting your pants back on following your treatment.
- Mouth Appliances: To avoid loss or injury during surgery, remove your dentures, retainers, or elastic bands from your braces.
- Makeup: Makeup should be avoided throughout the treatment so that your doctor can precisely inspect your skin and ensure that your circulation is good. When you’re under anesthesia and don’t have a blink reflex, makeup may cause eye damage.
- Perfumed skincare products: Deodorant and other skin products might leave a residue on your skin, which can irritate the incision site following surgery.
- Contact lenses: You shouldn’t wear contacts while undergoing surgery, since you’ll be asleep for the majority of it. On the day of your procedure, avoid using contact lenses and instead go for glasses that can be removed easily.
- Prosthetic devices: If you wear or use any prosthetic devices make sure to let your surgical team know so they can properly prepare.
Keep in mind that the day of your surgery is probably not the time to be particularly stylish. It’s a great day for looking great within limits. Leave expensive valuables and jewelry at home, and dress comfortably and in loose-fitting clothes.
There is a possibility that you may need to wear bandages and compression garments after surgery, so don’t wear anything too tight that may restrict your movement. The objective is for you to be as relaxed as possible during the process so that you have a pleasant experience from start to end.
