Items You to Include in a Post-op surgery Pack

Idea credit goes to my previous spouse’s entrepreneurial birthchild — a post-op care package for the trans-masc loved one in your life.

Suddenly you become aware that you have a trans family member — or, maybe you’ve known this all along — forever. No matter because now, said loved one is now finally at a place where they’re crossing the bridge to top surgery town.

What a delight! How totally rad for them. You wanna support them, yes?!

But how? !?

You send or bring them a well thought out and impeccably executed care package.

Boom. Clearly supportive mic drop.

If you’re looking for a little heads up on what to send or put into a loving care package that (gasp!) will also be useful and appreciated by the recipient, well, here goes:

Suggested Item List

Most important here, folks, are the classic button-down shirts. Even if your loved one already has some — go ahead and get a couple more to eliminate stressing about laundry during that first week or two post op. Full button-down because post op patients cannot be trying to wrangle those post-op pecs, or elevate their hands/arms up above their head to wriggle into a t-shirt that will inevitably get spilled on and will also chafe the recently relocated nips. So — button down shirts. Winter = Flannel. Summer=Short sleeve button downs, ya dig? Hoodies — yes but with a full zip. Cardigan? Yes. Vests — also as long as that bitch has a full vertical zip.

Mederma scar strips. Manuka honey infused bandages. Scar Tape. Kling. First aid and basic bandage supplies. Stock them up on stuff they’ll need in that first week or two. These could be pretty sizable scars. How ‘bout we all just treat those hard fought scars with care.

Gauze. Gauze. Gauze. Gauze. It bears repeating above and beyond a mention in #2. Gauze is essential to keep newly relocated nipples in place. Nobody wants to wake up have a nip shrivel up and fall off after surgery. It’s a thing that can happen, a known surgical complication. Let’s all send gauze and send positive thoughts that the nips heal exactly where the doctor left them.

Straws. Drink out of straws. You don’t have to be swinging that cup all up and down and moving your arm, which will mean you’ll move your chest less, and things will be…. better for you for a bit. Embrace the straws. It’s not childish unless it’s ecto cooler and a Hi-C juice box straw ok?! Send a few packs of the eco-friendly straws that don’t kill sea turtles. Wash and reuse, mmmkay?

A fanny pack or an around the waist tool pouch. Akin to a waitress apron — lots of pouch pockets of varying depths. So post op loved one can carry and reach stuff without having to twist their torso to reach a back pocket. Ya dig? Phone, tissue, meds, remotes, post op drains.

Give them something to occupy and entertain! Send a book or magazine, or subscription to Audible, Netflix, or an online streaming service. They’ll have a lot of low movement down time during recovery and will need to read/watch/listen to something!

Snacks. Send Snacks. What even is a care package without some snacks? RIGHT? You’re the one that loves them — you choose the snacks.

A hat. The bed head will be wicked and enviable the first week. It’s unlikely to feel cute after that first week.

And remember — you are sending support and love. That’s it.