PRODUCTS BY SURGERY
Products by Surgery
Real products, real recovery, and the occasional lesson learned the hard way. These are items I used, along with a recommendation I shared with a fellow patient. I clearly explain which surgeries I experienced firsthand.
My Essentials for Almost Every Surgery
These are the products I found useful across several surgeries, from hospital essentials to everyday recovery comforts. Some of the simplest things made the biggest difference!
Button-Down Short-Sleeve Pajama Set
Personally UsedI used button-down pajamas after all my surgeries because they made dressing easier. I bought a size larger for comfort, especially with leg compression, and think they could be useful after an arm lift too.
View on Amazon →Drain Holder Pouches
Personally UsedI pack these for every surgery, whether I expect drains or not. They cost very little, and when I do not need them, I give them to another patient who does.
View on Amazon →Hospital Socks with Grips
Personally UsedWarm, fuzzy, and comfortable in bed, these were just what my perpetually cold toes needed during hospital recovery.
View on Amazon →Open-Toed Slippers
Personally UsedI packed slippers for walking around the hospital and hotel. They were easy to slip on, and I could wear them with socks when my feet were cold.
View on Amazon →Electrolyte Sticks
Personally UsedI like having individual electrolyte sticks packed for travel and recovery. They take up hardly any room, and I can mix one into water whenever I want something other than plain water. Check with your care team if you have fluid or electrolyte restrictions.
View on Amazon →Body Surgery Silicone Scar Tape
Personally UsedI bought this scar tape ahead of time for my body-surgery recovery. I waited until I was home and my surgeon confirmed my incisions were ready before using it.
View on Amazon →Restorative Protective Cream
Personally UsedMy surgeon recommended this for home use once my incisions had reached the appropriate stage of healing. Timing matters, so follow your own surgeon’s guidance.
View on Amazon →Betadine Antiseptic Cleansing Foam
Personally UsedI kept this at home for washing my hands while managing recovery supplies. Clean hands were one of my simplest home-prep priorities.
View on Amazon →Hibiclens Antiseptic/Skin Cleanser
Personally UsedI used this at home as part of my incision-care routine when changing dressings. Follow your surgeon’s directions on whether, when, and where to use an antiseptic cleanser.
View on Amazon →Facelift & Neck Lift
These are the products I used for my facial surgery and recovery.
Adjustable Wedge Pillow System
Personally Used · Facelift & Thigh LiftI used my adjustable wedge pillow system while recovering from both my facelift and my thigh lift. Having a way to adjust my position made setting up a comfortable resting spot much easier.
View on Amazon →Head Wrap / Head Scarf
Personally UsedI used mine as an inexpensive shawl on the flight over and to discreetly cover my facial compression garment on the way home. A kind nurse in Istanbul even showed me how to wrap it.
View on Amazon →Extra Post-Surgical Facelift Compression Wrap
Personally UsedI wanted a backup facial compression wrap at home. Having a spare made the recovery routine a little less stressful.
View on Amazon →Bed Recovery Support Pillow
Personally UsedI used this pillow in bed while recovering from my facelift. It was part of my at-home resting setup.
View on Amazon →Soft Silicone Scar Sheets
Personally Used · Facelift & Neck LiftOnce my surgeon gave me the okay to begin using silicone scar sheets, I practically lived in this stuff! It was soft, pliable, and easy to use around my facial scars, especially behind my ears where I had incisions from my neck lift. I was thrilled with how my scars healed, and this became one of my favorite recovery products.
View on Amazon →Silicone Scar Gel
Personally UsedMy surgeon recommended silicone gel when I got home after my facelift. I used it before eventually switching to silicone scar tape.
View on Amazon →Straw Wide-Brim Sun Visor Hat
Personally Used · Facelift & Neck LiftDon't laugh, but after my facelift I wanted to enjoy the pool without exposing my healing scars to the Southwest sun. My solution? I wrapped a black tank top around my head to cover the sides of my face and the scars near my ears, then topped it off with this wide-brim straw visor! It was adjustable, stayed snugly in place, and worked beautifully for my rather creative poolside outfit. Sometimes you just have to improvise!
View on Amazon →Thigh Lift
My practical essentials for the hospital, hotel, trip home, and recovery at home.
↳ Adjustable Wedge Pillow System — also used for my thigh lift; see my description above.
Knee Support Wedge
Personally Used · Thigh Lift OnlyI used this knee support wedge during my thigh-lift recovery to help me get comfortable while resting. It was part of my thigh-lift setup, not my facelift recovery.
View on Amazon →SheWee Type Device
Personally UsedAn absolute lifesaver after my thigh lift, both abroad and at home. I finally learned what it’s like to pee standing up. All these years, and now I know!
View on Amazon →Enema Bulb
Personally UsedThat first bathroom visit after a thigh lift is an eye-opener when you cannot sit comfortably on the toilet. This was part of my personal recovery kit, but check with your surgeon before using an enema.
View on Amazon →Tear-Away Capri Pants
Personally UsedI wore these in the hospital and at the hotel after my thigh lift. Easy-opening clothing was far more practical than trying to maneuver into ordinary pants.
View on Amazon →Tear-Away Post-Surgery Cotton Shorts
Personally UsedThese made dressing after my thigh lift easier, and they were a fun surprise for my surgeon, who thought they were a great idea.
View on Amazon →Phase 2 Compression Leggings
Personally UsedAfter my surgeon said medical compression was no longer required, I used these for a little extra leg support and shaping.
View on Amazon →Blissful Diary Reading Pillow
Personally UsedI used this to set up a comfortable recovery spot on the chaise section of my couch after my thigh lift. It was nice to have somewhere to relax besides my bed.
View on Amazon →Toilet Stool
Personally UsedI included this in my bathroom setup at home after my thigh lift. Bathroom logistics deserve more planning than the glossy surgery brochures suggest.
View on Amazon →Grabber Reacher Tool
Personally UsedI used this while traveling and at home after my thigh lift. When bending down is difficult, being able to pick something up without a gymnastics routine is a gift.
View on Amazon →Adjustable Step Stool
Personally UsedAfter my thigh lift, I knew I would not be able to climb into my friend’s SUV easily. I asked her to bring an adjustable step stool to the airport. Problem solved!
View on Amazon →Gauze Rolls
Personally UsedI found gauze rolls much easier to work with than lots of little pads. I paired them with flexible medical tape from Walmart, not paper tape.
View on Amazon →Trauma Shears
Personally UsedI packed these with my gauze and medical tape so I could cut dressings to the size I needed. Check current airline and security rules before packing scissors.
View on Amazon →Portable Extendable Back Scratcher
Personally UsedWhen reaching behind you risks pulling on tender incisions, a little back scratcher can be surprisingly handy. Better yet, it barely takes up suitcase space.
View on Amazon →For shared hospital supplies, pajamas, slippers, scar tape and skin care, see My Essentials for Almost Every Surgery.
Women’s Swim Capris, UPF 50+
Personally Used · Thigh LiftLiving in the Southwest, so many activities revolve around pool time! After my thigh lift, I wanted to enjoy the water without worrying about my scars getting darker from sun exposure. These UPF 50+ swim capris give me extra coverage, and they've been working really well for me.
View on Amazon →High-Waisted Shaping Capris
Personally Used · Thigh LiftOnce my surgeon cleared me to stop wearing my surgical compression garment, I still wanted something that would help keep everything feeling snug and supported. These high-waisted shaping capris offer light compression, smooth my tummy, and shape my legs without feeling like surgical compression. I've really enjoyed wearing them!
View on Amazon →Butt Lift
Products that made the journey home and everyday recovery more manageable.
Lightweight Airplane Seat Cushion
Personally UsedI used this on the long journey home after my butt lift, and my backside was very grateful for the extra comfort. Check your surgeon’s sitting and pressure restrictions first.
View on Amazon →↳ Portable Extendable Back Scratcher — see my description and Amazon link above.
Breast Lift / Breast Augmentation / Breast Reduction
My firsthand experience is with a breast lift. Some of these items may also be useful for augmentation or reduction, depending on your surgeon’s instructions.
Recovery Shirt with Drain Pockets
Personally UsedThe front-opening design and drain pockets made this a practical choice for breast-surgery recovery, especially when getting dressed was less straightforward.
View on Amazon →↳ Gauze Rolls — see my description and Amazon link above.
↳ Trauma Shears — see my description and Amazon link above.
For button-down pajamas and drain pouches, see My Essentials for Almost Every Surgery.
Tummy Tuck / Mommy Makeover / Lower-Body Lift
I have firsthand experience with lower-body contouring and a breast lift, but not abdominal muscle repair. The products here reflect the parts of recovery I experienced personally; I have not had abdominal muscle repair.
Lipo Foam Pads, 5-Pack
Personally UsedI used these for extra comfort while traveling home after my butt and lower-body surgery. Ask your surgeon whether and where foam padding is appropriate for your recovery.
View on Amazon →↳ Portable Extendable Back Scratcher — see my description and Amazon link above.
See also Breast Surgery for overlapping Mommy Makeover products and shared recovery essentials.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
I have not had an arm lift. This section includes my own useful products and a recommendation I made to another patient, rather than products I tested after an arm lift.
Unisex Baseball Cap
Personally Selected · Arm-Lift PlanningI originally considered this when I thought I might have an arm lift. If you cannot comfortably raise your arms to style your hair, a baseball cap can rescue a bad-hair day.
View on Amazon →↳ Portable Extendable Back Scratcher — see my description and Amazon link above.
↳ Grabber Reacher Tool — see my description and Amazon link above.
Post-Arm-Lift Underarm Cushions
Recommended to a Fellow PatientWhile recovering in Turkey, I suggested these to a fellow patient struggling after an arm lift. Someone I knew had found relief with similar cushions after a mastectomy, so I passed along the idea. She tried them and loved them!
View on Amazon →For button-down pajamas, drain holders, and dressings, see shared essentials and dressings and useful tools.
Travel, Home Recovery & Scar Care
Rather than repeat every travel accessory and skin-care item here, I keep those collections on their own pages. You'll find my airplane comfort items, luggage accessories, chargers, home recovery setup, and additional scar-care supplies there.
Travel & Preparation → | Recovery Essentials & Prep for Home → | Scar Care & Skin →
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which may earn me a commission at no extra cost to you.