Flying out for my knee replacement in October. What did you pack that you actually used, and what was pointless?

#1Margaret F(Joined Mar 2026 · 21 posts)September 30, 2026, 10:32 am

Some of you will know the saga by now. The knee is booked, the blood thinner plan is agreed, the HbA1c is a number, and I fly out on the eleventh. So the last thing to worry about is the suitcase, which in my house means I have already packed it twice.

What did people take for a joint replacement that they really used? I have a horrible feeling I have packed for a fortnight's holiday with a knee in the middle. And what do I need for the hospital itself, do they give you nightwear or do you bring your own?

#2Alan G(Joined Jun 2024 · 34 posts)September 30, 2026, 2:18 pm

For my shoulder the most useful thing by far was a long phone cable. Every socket was behind the bed. Second most useful was a notebook, because the surgeon said a great many important things on day two and I remembered none of them.

Least useful was everything I packed for "when I feel better". I did not feel better enough to need it.

#3bkk_bound(Joined Sep 2025 · 19 posts)October 1, 2026, 8:44 am

Cardigan. The wards are freezing. Hospital gave me gowns but I was glad of my own loose shorts for the physio sessions. Slip on shoes with a back on them, not flip flops, they'll want you walking and you don't want to be shuffling on a slippery floor.

#4petem1970(Joined Aug 2025 · 16 posts)October 1, 2026, 7:27 pm

Medicines in the original boxes with the prescription in your hand luggage. I had mine in the case once and the case went to Doha without me.

#5Margaret F(Joined Mar 2026 · 21 posts)October 8, 2026, 4:50 pm

Thank you all. Unpacked half the holiday clothes, packed loose trousers that go over a dressing, a cardigan, the slip ons and a long cable. Medicines, notes and the whole folder of letters are in a separate bag that does not leave my side. Flying Saturday.

#6Daniel MarshAdmin(Joined Feb 2024 · 246 posts)October 29, 2026, 9:40 am

Margaret, I hope the knee is behaving. Everyone above has covered the things that really get used, and I'd only add one for the journey home, since you'll be in it shortly: ask the surgeon in writing what they want you to wear or take for the flight, rather than buying compression stockings at the airport, and make sure the case you come back with is one you never have to lift.

I've gathered the whole list into a guide on what to pack for surgery in Thailand, including the folder of paperwork you'll want on the way back, because that's the bag people lose track of. If you get a minute, I'd love to know what you'd add.

#7Margaret F(Joined Mar 2026 · 21 posts)November 1, 2026, 7:15 am

Writing this from the hotel, day eighteen. Knee is sore but doing what the physio asks.

Used: cardigan every single day, loose trousers, slip ons, the long cable, the notebook (Alan was right, I would have remembered nothing). Never touched: two dresses, sandals, the swimsuit, and the guidebook. Surgeon has written down exactly what to wear for the flight and the hospital supplied it. The folder of discharge papers is already in my hand luggage so I cannot leave it in a drawer here.