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Packing List For Surgeries
postedOn: 2025-8-20   updatedOn: 2025-8-27   includedIn: Pre-surgery
wordsCount: 804   readingTime: 4 mins   viewers:

⚠️ This log is a personal documentation and not medical advice. Always consult your child’s surgeon or pediatric urologist for individualized care.

This is a personal packing list for our infant/toddler’s hypospadias surgeries, including preparation for airplane travel and multi-day stays. We traveled to Texas for surgery with Dr. Snodgrass and Dr. Bush three times, when our son was between 7 and 22 months old. The following list is based on our experience and aims to help other families prepare for similar journeys.

Clothes

Use cases: Sleep, Daywear, Flight wear, Hyperbaric wear, Spare clothes.

Item Description Recommendation (⭑1–⭑3)
Pure cotton body suit, tops and pants Comfortable for daywear and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Avoid metal decorations for HBOT. ⭑⭑⭑
Sleep bags/sack For safe sleep, easy to pack ⭑⭑⭑
Thick and lightweight blankets Useful for layering in different climates. ⭑⭑
Cotton socks Keep feet warm; avoid synthetic materials for HBOT. ⭑⭑⭑
Sun hats Prevent sunburn during travel and outdoor activities. ⭑⭑⭑
Thin clothes for Texas, thicker clothes for returning home Adapt to climate changes. ⭑⭑⭑

Food And Related

Item Description Recommendation (⭑1–⭑3)
Fresh cow milk Local purchase; bottled milk for travel. ⭑⭑⭑
Milk/water drinking cups Spill-proof and easy to clean. ⭑⭑⭑
Vitamin supplement Helps maintain nutrition after surgery. ⭑⭑
Bottled water Local purchase for general use. ⭑⭑⭑
Solid food prep tools Includes knife, blender, and steamer for preparing baby food. ⭑⭑
Food chopping board Easy to clean. ⭑⭑
Baby eating utensils Spoon, fork, plates, and bowls for feeding. ⭑⭑⭑
Pacifiers & clips Soothing during travel; bring extras. ⭑⭑
Bibs For easy cleanup during meals and travel. ⭑⭑⭑
Burp cloth/towel Multi-purpose for cleaning and feeding. ⭑⭑
Small towel for bathing Can cover waist to help block view of bandages. ⭑⭑
Water kettle For keeping water warm, cooking food, and preparing milk. ⭑⭑
General kitchen tools Includes pans, steamer, and peeler for food preparation. ⭑
Food scale/measuring cups Optional; for accuracy. ⭑
Baby food containers For freezer storage. ⭑⭑
Prune juice/puree Helps prevent constipation. ⭑⭑
Bottle/straw brushes For cleaning bottles and straws thoroughly. ⭑⭑⭑
Detergent for bottles/straws For cleaning feeding equipment. ⭑⭑⭑
Foldable basins For washing bibs and bottles while traveling. ⭑⭑

Other Daily Care

Item Description Recommendation (⭑1–⭑3)
Night light lamp (portable) Less disruptive for nighttime care and medication. ⭑⭑
Crib mattress For comfortable baby sleep. ⭑⭑
Absorbency underpad Makes diaper changes less messy when catheter is in and urine may drip continuously. ⭑⭑
Disposable gloves For hygiene during care tasks. ⭑⭑
Sterile gauze pads For protecting and cleaning around the catheter. ⭑⭑⭑
Thermometer For monitoring fever. ⭑
Nail clipper/scissors For daily nail care. ⭑⭑
Diaper For post-operative use. ⭑⭑⭑
Cloth/swim diaper Protects catheter during bathing. ⭑⭑
Diaper bag For organizing essentials during travel. ⭑⭑⭑
Waterwipes For gentle cleaning during diaper changes. ⭑⭑⭑
Bottle/pacifier wipes For quick cleaning of feeding items during travel. ⭑
Baby bath tub/rinser/towels Purchase locally for bathing needs. ⭑⭑
Bath toys Keep bathing fun and distract from catheter. ⭑⭑
Sponge towels For gentle sponge baths. ⭑⭑
Nasal aspirator For nasal cleaning. ⭑⭑
Saline water For nasal cleaning. ⭑⭑
Alcohol wipes For disinfecting surfaces and skin. ⭑⭑
Snoofybee Helps prevent accidental pulling of catheter during diaper changes. ⭑⭑
Tooth brush/flosser For daily oral hygiene. ⭑⭑
Baby shoes For travel and outings. ⭑⭑

Toys

Item Description Recommendation (⭑1–⭑3)
iPad/stand/charger Pre-download videos for travel and post-op distraction. ⭑⭑⭑
Silicone toys/cars Portable and safe for HBOT. ⭑⭑
Books of interest for baby Portable, for post-op entertainment. ⭑⭑
Toy cars/vehicles For play and distraction. ⭑⭑
Bath toys For fun during bath time. ⭑⭑
Screwdriver/Victorinox For installing batteries in toys. ⭑
Batteries for toys Bring extra batteries for toys. ⭑⭑
Sensory bins/Playdoh/Water Wow books For sensory play and distraction. ⭑⭑⭑

Surgery Related Medications Or Care Products

Item Description Recommendation (⭑1–⭑3)
Tylenol For pain relief after surgery. ⭑⭑⭑
Ibuprofen/Motrin For pain and inflammation relief. ⭑⭑⭑
Aquaphor Healing ointment for skin care. ⭑⭑⭑
AZO Standard Helps prevent urinary discomfort after catheter removal. ⭑⭑
Laxative (Pedia-Lax, Miralax) Helps prevent constipation. ⭑⭑
Manuka honey May help with skin reactions and healing. ⭑⭑
Trimethoprim sulfa or equivalent Prescribed antibiotic. ⭑⭑⭑
Water/medication dispenser For accurate dosing. ⭑⭑
Liquiband skin adhesive Optional; may help with fistula after catheter removal. ⭑⭑
UTI test strips Optional; for monitoring urinary tract health. ⭑

Travel Essentials and IDs

Item Description Recommendation (⭑1–⭑3)
ID documents For parents and child; required for travel. ⭑⭑⭑
Health insurance card For child; required for medical care. ⭑⭑⭑
Toys/books/tapes For entertainment during travel. ⭑⭑
iPad (pre-downloaded videos) For entertainment during travel. ⭑⭑⭑
Diaper bag (with essentials) For organizing and carrying essentials. ⭑⭑⭑
Car seat/bag For safe travel and transport. ⭑⭑⭑
Stroller For easy mobility during travel. ⭑⭑⭑
Cleaning/sanitizing wipes For cleaning and sanitizing. ⭑⭑⭑
Zip Loc Bags For storing dirty clothes and diapers during travel. ⭑⭑⭑
Surgery-Preparation
Pre-Surgery Questions To Doctors