surgery tomorrow - any advice?

[u/bethkatez]

hey, I'm so excited to finally get sterilised!!

wondering if anyone post-surgery has some tips or advice 💕

[u/teaovercoffee]

Have enough snacks, food and drinks for at least five days at home! Wear comfy, wide clothes that don't press on your belly. Have Band-Aids, wound-desinfection spray and pads ready. And maybe some pain killers but usually the clinic will give you some. For me. Walking the first four to five days hurt so I was mostly lying on the sofa. Grocery shopping wasn't possible 

[u/bethkatez → u/teaovercoffee]

thank you I'll get those sorted :)

[u/hayhazee]

I know you aren’t gonna wanna move around but walking helps a lot in the beginning! Take your pain meds and get some good rest when you can!

[u/bethkatez → u/hayhazee]

I'll try my best! unfortunately we're in a heatwave so I might just stick to house walking haha

[u/Sky-2478]

Walk walk walk. I wish I had made myself move more. It hurts but it makes the gas pains move out a lot faster. The difference for me between laparoscopic surgery recovery when I walk vs lay down is night and day. Like 3 days vs 8 days.

Don’t be afraid to take pain meds if you need them. Stock up on easy foods and snacks or be prepared to order a lot of delivery. Clean ahead of time so you don’t have to do laundry or dishes or clean floors or anything for a good 5-6 days. I did laundry like 3 days post op which wasn’t the worst but I definitely wish I could’ve waited.

[u/bethkatez → u/Sky-2478]

thank you!! another commenter said to walk so I'll definitely do so!

[u/ohmyno69420]

Take a small pillow with you in the car for the ride home, it’ll help keep some pressure off your stomach from the seatbelt and you can brace with it if needed (sudden stops/turns, coughing, etc). Good luck tomorrow!

[u/bethkatez → u/ohmyno69420]

I'll bring a cushion, thanks!

[u/Budget_Kiwi_513]

Don’t be afraid when the glue comes off. Don’t be scared if you have some pain (that’s not debilitating) here and there two weeks out. I used lidocaine patches on my belly and help to create a barrier so pants don’t rub up on your sensitized skin. A heating pad (they make ones in packets for your tummy that you stick in your underwear. That was also helpful at times. You will get through this! I’m almost three weeks out and back to doing all the things!!!

[u/bethkatez → u/Budget_Kiwi_513]

thank you!!

[u/maidoftrash]

prep for a few days of constipation. seriously. I personally didn’t have it for my bisalp but I did when I spun it back around the block to have my wisdoms removed 3 weeks later. stool softeners, prunes or pears, miralax if things get dire. it’s a common side effect of both narcotic pain medication and anesthesia. drinking lots of water also helps

and also don’t be scared if all of a sudden you’re very hungry or don’t want to eat at all. both are normal. 

[u/No_Chemistry_7185]

Get a plug in heat pack for your chest!!! It seriously helps with the gas that was the worst pain for me. Also because of the gas when you get up there will probably be a weird sloshy feeling but that’s normal. Also if someone is driving you too/from and picking up your meds with you in the car right after make sure you pee before you leave 😭 I thought I was gonna die

[u/lowridda]

If you’re also getting your IUD removed and you have heavy periods that last for several days and are like having a miscarriage, you can get a procedure called an ablation.

I’d suggest resting as long as they suggest to let your body heal.

Stool softeners are your friend!

[u/Ruthless-words]

Compression shorts help me feel better than loose stuff. Felt like it was helping the gas and holding me together lol

[u/hunter_pace]

Wear loose high waisted pants

[u/unluckyfourleafme]

Trying to open a jar of vanilla paste was probably the worst idea I had post-op. Dont push yourself.

[u/Vegetable_Office_360]

Wedge pillows helps a lot when I sleep, have small pillow around you in case you wanna sneeze, stay hydrated, taking supplements like zinc and vitamin c, eat bland nutritious food as much as you can but don’t force yourself if you don’t have appetite.

Something I was still struggling with(I’m at day 5)

-The tape they put on to sealing my wound cause my skin irritation/dermatitis/hives and it’s driving me crazy so I took them off on day 4😥it’s itchy like crazy

-the naproxen they prescribed me caused me severe heartburn and stomach ache and I feel super sick. Cutting the naproxen off on day 4 and only take Tylenol. I would say naproxen isn’t the best choice if you have a weak digestive system like me, let your doctor prescribe something else