Top Surgery Supplies: The Comprehensive List
Medically reviewed by Jennifer Richman on February 18, 2025.
Below you will find a comprehensive shopping list of mandatory and suggested supplies for your recovery from top surgery. Each item comes with an explanation of why it is either mandatory or could be helpful for recovery – both from patient and provider perspectives. The lists are divided into three categories:
- Medical supplies and supplements for after top surgery
- Bathing and hygiene supplies for top surgery patients
- Comfort and convenience items to help ease your recovery
Patients should purchase the items they will use for surgery prior to their surgery date. Simple preparation and organization of your home recovery area can help you feel safer, more comfortable and more at peace after surgery. We highly recommend keeping your phone and emergency contact numbers by your bedside.
In addition to the items in the lists below, we advise patients to:
- Maintain a low-sodium diet: Sodium can increase your chances of post-operative swelling, which in turn can increase the recovery time. For two days before surgery and two weeks after, it is recommended to consume no more than 2000 mg sodium daily to help maintain a healthy healing process. For tips, visit genderconfirmation.com/blog/low-sodium/
- Keep your recovery space free of tripping hazards: This can include removing any charging cords or cables on the floor or wearing socks/slippers with a grip on the bottom to prevent slipping.
Depending on the type of surgery you have, the following purchases may be helpful to you. Some of the items on the list below are mere suggestions from former patients; you may not need to buy any of them, but they can help provide you greater ease and comfort during recovery.
We suggest that you review the items now and make a list of those which apply to your situation. If you are uncertain, please ask your care team.
Medical Supplies and Supplements
| Item | Description |
| Stool softener (usually necessary) |
Your care team will likely send an order of stool softeners to the pharmacy to counteract the common side effect of constipation of many prescription pain medications. |
| Tylenol and/or ibuprofen (usually necessary) |
Once you are off prescription pain medications, ask your care team what dosage of over-the-counter pain medications they recommend for you. Please note that you should not take ibuprofen, NSAIDs or aspirin during the two weeks before or the first week after surgery as this can lead to bleeding complications. |
| Benadryl (optional) |
Some patients find Benadryl helpful to manage post-op itchiness. |
| Nausea medications (optional) | For those who are prone to nausea, having nausea medications at hand during the first week of recovery (while you are taking so many meds) can be a tremendous help. Medications will be prescribed by your care team. |
| Ice packs or packs of frozen vegetables (optional, usually not needed) |
For top surgery, ice packs are optional. Placing ice over your bandages for a maximum of 20 minutes every hour can help reduce inflammation. |
| Cough drops and/or ginger chews and tea (optional) |
Some patients find cough drops helpful during the first few days after surgery as anesthesia and breathing tubes can sometimes cause dryness. Ginger chews and ginger tea have also been recommended by patients to help with an upset stomach. |
| Scar care treatment: silicone gel and/or sheets (usually necessary) |
Once your incisions have healed, usually around 3 weeks post-op, you can use silicone scar treatments to help your scars heal. Massaging silicone scar gel into your scars and/or placing silicone scar sheets over them can help reduce their size and discoloration over time. |
| Sunblock, SPF 30 or higher (usually necessary) |
Since scars take 12 months to mature, you will need to protect them from UV rays during the first year after surgery. You should keep your chest completely out of the sun for the first 3-6 months post-op, and then use sunscreen afterwards. |
| Vitamins and herbal supplements (optional) |
You should check with your care team about which supplements you should wait until after surgery to start taking; some can cause complications or increase bleeding risks if they are taken before.
Vitamin C can help with wound healing. Arnica Montana and Bromelain can help reduce bruising and inflammation. Probiotic supplements can help balance the internal flora after taking antibiotics. |
Bathing and Hygiene
| Item | Description |
| Rinse free bath sponges, sponge and/or baby wipes (usually necessary) |
During the first week after surgery, you cannot get your surgical site wet. Patients can bathe themselves with sponges, rinse free bath sponges and/or baby wipes during this time. |
| Long-handed bathing sponge (optional) |
Due to limitations of arm mobility, patients without detachable shower heads or portable bidets may find this option helpful for bathing themselves. |
| Detachable shower head and/or portable bidet. (optional, very helpful for patients who struggle with not being independent post-op) |
Some patients struggle with a lack of independence during the first-week after surgery. Limitations on arm mobility can make it difficult to bathe yourself and even wipe yourself after using the restroom. Some patients find that movable, detachable shower heads and portable bidets help them clean themselves. This can be especially helpful for patients who do not feel comfortable asking their support person to help them clean themselves after using the restroom. |
| Refrain from strongly scented products | Scented products (like deodorants or soaps) can irritate healing wounds, especially if you have sensitive skin. |
Comfort and Convenience
| Item | Description |
| Loose, button-up or zip-up shirts (usually necessary) | We recommend wearing loose, button-up or zip-up shirts during recovery so that you can easily get dressed without straining yourself or exceeding mobility limitations. |
| Extra pillows (usually necessary) | Elevating your torso while you lie down, especially while you are sleeping, can help reduce inflammation. Not to mention, most patients will do most of their activities their first week post-op (eating, drinking, watching TV, reading, etc.) while sitting up in bed. |
| Bendy straws and a light-weight water bottle (usually necessary) |
Staying hydrated is essential for a smooth recovery. A bendy straw can help you drink liquids with arm limitations. Likewise, we highly recommend finding a water bottle that is under weight restrictions (<5lbs when full) and placed in a convenient location (like on a night stand). |
| Mastectomy pillow (optional) |
Patients that choose to get a mastectomy pillow have found it helpful for the following reasons. It helps protect the surgical site, giving it an extra layer of protection–e.g., when you get into a car after being discharged from surgery and have to put a seatbelt on). Most mastectomy pillows have straps so that you don’t need to hold on to it to keep it on.
Many mastectomy pillows also come with pockets, which can be used to store and hide the drains so that they are not visible in public. The pockets can also prevent drains from getting stuck on things–e.g., doorknobs when you enter rooms/buildings. Not to mention, the pillows can be used to hold ice packs in some cases. |
| Bed tray or laptop table (optional) |
Some patients find this helpful for eating in bed and/or using their computer |
| Back scratcher (optional) | Many patients report that with mobility restrictions and the other discomforts of recovery, a back scratcher provides much- needed relief. |
Request a Free Surgical Consultation Today.
All virtual and in-person consultations with our board-certified surgeons are free. Once you fill out this form, our patient care team will reach out and guide you through every step to get to surgery.
Suite 1010, 450 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 780-1515
Fax: (628) 867-6510
GCC business hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
GCC phone hours are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
GCC phone hours are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Board Certification
& Memberships
Copyright © 2023 GCC (Gender Confirmation Center). All Rights Reserved.