Hi Emily,
Well, first off, congratulations. This is a huge step (in the right direction) and hopefully the beginning of a new life and freedom for you.
What can I say...there are 3 areas that you need to prepare:
1. your pre-op kit: loose and comfortable clothing for both your hospital stay and your post-op stay in a hotel or hostel while you are down there. Loose tops, stretchy pants, loose waistbands for when you have the indwelling catheter and leg bag hanging on.
I also found it useful to have velcro-type sneakers or slip-on shoes that I do not need to bend down to put on. Flip-flops that you can slip into for hospital showers and easy walking the hallways.
Big t-shirts with wide sleeves to get over I.V. bottles and for comfortable time in bed. I always take a pair of warm socks because I get cold feet post-op, a hot water bottle (I now use cherry-pit filled bags that you can have heated in the microwave for back and shoulder pain post op. )
A loose and comfortable back belt can be useful but not before 4 weeks post op...it can hold everything in when you start walking a bit more (obligatory here in France! They oblige you to buy it pre-op)
Throat spray...I cough due to the throat intubation during the surgery and I get a very scratchy throat (hell post-op)...so I have an anaesthetic throat spray that calms things down immediately (Chloraseptic spray, in the States).
Smells are important to me and hospitals...stink. So I take in little spray perfume samples that I spray on my pillow or around me to ease the stink and give myself some pleasure. I also like to keep a nice smelling pillow...it makes sleep easier.
Your favourite neck pillow, a bathrobe that is to put on (think about I.V.s ) and stretch pants of jogging pants or large shorts.
Face cream and body lotion or oil to massage your skin and hydrate.
Music. Your favourite music, books, magazines etc (or just your computer or notebook)
For the post-op stay in the hotel: More of the same and lots of rest. Popsicles, non-carbonated drinks like easy juices, herbal teas and Gatorade.
Easily digestible foods like canned tuna and sardines for the protein, cold cuts, protein shakes etc (avoid nuts, peas, beans, chickpeas, corn, mushrooms, pineapple, fruit and vegetable skins, stringy anything, lumpy, chunky, or thick foods).
I like a high protein diet (meat, fish, chicken...) and blended soups or puréed vegetables for a post-op diet. You need smoothing stuff that goes through easily, especially when your stoma is still an infant.
When you get home: More of the same. No bending, stretching, pushing, pulling, lifting, twisting etc. So make sure that you have everything that you will need easily available and anything that rolls under the bed will just have to stay there until someone else gets it for you!
Time to call in all chips, markers and debts. Get everyone who loves you or just owes you a favour to pop in to give you a hand with the laundry, cooking or to do the shopping for you. NO, you cannot vacuum or wash your floors...avoid getting into the bathtub...you may not be able to lift yourself out!
Line your mattress with a protective liner or put a 'blue pad ' under you for the first months...If you have neither then just sleep with a thick towel under you for the first while. Better safe than sorry...If you have a sudden leak, you can just change the towel and not the whole bed!
Good luck...and ask questions, lots of questions...We are all here for you.
Sharon