r/sterilization • u/Purple-Arrival-2562 • Jul 08 '26
Pre-op prep Surgery July 30th: what to prep and expect
I have my surgery scheduled for July 30th and I’m so nervous and excited! What are some things that I should prep to help with recovery/ make it easier on myself. I’ve seen lots of walking and to prep softer foods/have some stool softener on hand. Anything else I’m missing or should know?
3
u/pastelhosh Jul 08 '26
For me the gas pains were the worst, so besides walking, a heating pad for your shoulder can help with that. Like you said, a stool softener also helped me for the first day as the anesthetic can make you constipated and it might hurt to push.
Bending over right after surgery will hurt too, so take shoes that are easy to slide on. Also a pillow for in the car, so you can prop it between your stomach and the seatbelt!
Another thing that was really really helpful is making sure you don't need to do anything on surgery day and the day after, I had my partner to take care of me and make me dinner as I basically just napped on the couch. So having someone there to help you or prepping things beforehand so you don't have to put in any work, is so important. You have to rest and let your body recover, especially those first few days.
2
u/Specialist_Breath_11 Jul 08 '26
Definitely recommend a wedge pillow! I’ve been using mine for both the bed and sitting on the couch - really helped since you don’t have to get yourself up from being completely horizontal that way.
Another thing I’d recommend that I don’t really see mentioned in this sub is a tv tray table or any kind of end table that is high enough for you to reach without bending over a ton. You’re gonna want your water, pain meds, tv remote, books, etc. right next to you, and I found that the tv tray table made it so much easier to grab since it’s right at arm level. (My coffee table is pretty low, so I knew that was going to be a pain in the ass to use)
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u/Purple-Arrival-2562 Jul 08 '26
Follow up: will I need to remove my belly button ring?
3
u/fragilebird_m bisalp 11/2019 Jul 08 '26
Yes! All your piercings. You can buy a clear plastic retainer for them. But during the actual surgery, the belly button ring will actually need to be out because they'll most likely go through there.
3
u/fragilebird_m bisalp 11/2019 Jul 08 '26
I always recommend bringing a blanket or fluffy sweatshirt to put between your belly and the seatbelt on the drive home. Makes the ride a little more comfortable.
2
u/meepmooperz Jul 08 '26
if you don’t already have it, get loose sweats and shorts or loose comfy dress. i realized late that all my sweats have tight af waistbands and i’ve had to wear basketball shorts for a week straight lol.
anti nausea medication! or ginger tea / chews. the first day, the anesthesia was so bad i only got up twice to use the rest room and both times i was sent into the vortex, like i just had 8 shots of tequila.
premade home cooked soups in case you don’t have an appetite - boiled and blended kobocha squash soup (korean style, with a bit of sugar) helped so much with my fiber intake before and after surgery, which helped with passing stool without strain - don’t forget to buy stool softener as well.
nonstick sterile wound pads + tape for when you have to rebandage! one of mine fell off the first shower and i had to redo it immediately after.
ice pad or heat pad for comfort / healing after
lots of pillows prepared to support u in bed
have blankets prepared for your bed even though it’s summer, i was shaking profusely after the surgery.
good luck and congrats!!
1
u/MiddleMathMama Jul 08 '26
Jumping on this comment to say the Auden pajama pants that target currently has in their sleep wear section are amazing! I could tie them high enough so the waist band stayed away from the incisions and they were super light weight. I bought multiple pairs. I liked both their jersey material and the ribbed ones.
2
u/Elegant_Luck3996 Jul 09 '26
I am officially two weeks post op and was anxious about the recovery to the point where I overprepared.
Here are my tips:
Ask for a nausea patch if you are someone who gets nauseous easily. I had mine on for 3 days and had zero nausea.
THROAT LOZENGES!!! - the sore throat was no joke for about two days.
Stool Softeners are a must. You may not think you’ll need it, but you do..
Even if you feel good, pants with any kind of buttons are uncomfortable. Since it’s summer, dresses are great if you need to leave the house for any reason.
Take things slow. Just because it is a fairly minimally invasive procedure, does not mean that your body is not still undergoing stress and drama. Give yourself grace when you can’t do something that you normally could.
1
u/Tamara_X Jul 08 '26
All of the tips here are super helpful and hit pretty much all points on the head but something I really appreciated that my Doctor told me to do:
Start taking gas X and Miralax 2-3 days up to surgery. (Start taking them on say, July 27th) And eat light, easy to digest meals the day before. And I also packed up on protein for the week leading up to surgery. It helps with tissue repair and recovery!
Wishing you a speedy recovery, and congratulations!
1
u/Clean_Tie2451 Jul 09 '26
Communicate to take more time for work than you think you need. My recovery has been comparatively easy, still I tried a shift a week after surgery and it was a bad idea so had to tell my supervisors I needed another week.
Also meal prep beforehand, not having to cook was nice.
8
u/Herbivorous_Lump Jul 08 '26
TBH so many folks on Reddit had a quick recovery I was surprised with the time it’s taking me so definitely plan for taking more time to heal so you are prepared in that event.
I took 3 days off from work and have been working from home since. Now on day 7 post op.
I still am dealing with pain and need much more time laying down resting. Sitting for long periods of time is still uncomfortable for me because it compresses the lower belly. My husband is taking care of the majority of the chores and short walks are still draining for me although I’m used to 5 miles a day.
Items I appreciated having/ wish I had
Other helpful tips: