Practical Tips for Hysterectomy Recovery

When I had my hysterectomy, I didn’t really have a support group or friends who had been through the same (or a similar) surgery. So for me, recovering from my hysterectomy involved a lot of sending my husband out to the shop for items I needed, or browsing on Amazon (which I can’t recommend when you’re on heavy painkillers). So, I thought it would be handy to share some practical tips to help with the recovery.

To Buy

Here are some things to buy...

Peppermint oil or peppermint tablets

If you have a laparoscopy, the gas they pump inside your abdominal cavity can cause quite a lot of discomfort. Peppermint oil or tablets will help dissipate the gas.

V-pillow

It may be quite uncomfortable to lie down right after surgery. A V-pillow will make you so much more comfortable in bed, as it supports not only your back, but also your sides.

Laxatives

The surgery and painkillers can make you very constipated, and laxatives can help keep everything run smoothly.

Small stool

Bowel movements can be difficult post-surgery due, in part, to the afore-mentioned constipation, but also because the surgery wounds make straining painful. Elevating your feet slightly on a stool when going to the toilet takes the strain off your stomach muscles.

Big water bottle

Drinking lots of water will help with the recovery. Water will flush the anesthetics out of your body and will help with general recovery

High-waisted underwear

I found underwear that covered my belly up to my ribs really helped. High-waisted underwear doesn’t rub where your scars are and keeps everything snug.

Food tray

I spent the first week in bed, and ate all my meals in bed as well. A food tray with a soft cushion on the bottom helped me balance my plate on my lap in bed.

Entertainment

I was far too tired and out of it to read books in the first couple of weeks, so I binge-watched a couple of shows on my tablet (Elementary, Broadchurch, and Grantchester, if I remember correctly). Plan your entertainment ahead of your surgery so you don’t get bored.

To Do

Here are some things to do...

• Place your electric chargers on your bedside table. You’re not going to be able to bend over and you’ll want your devices nearby in order to stave off boredom.
• Pre-make meals before your surgery. Having some home-cooked meals ready to be heated up in the oven or microwave will greatly reduce stress. And you’ll have a lovely meal.
• Walk each day. Even if it’s just walking from the bed to the bathroom and back, walk every day. It will make sure the scars don’t seize up and it will help with constipation and your mobility. Increase the distance you walk every day.
• Have small snacks on hand. At first after surgery you won’t really have a big appetite and nausea might also be an issue. You may just feel like a small snack at first. I found yogurt pots amazing.

I hope these tips will help with the recovery after hysterectomy. Let me know if the comments if you have any tips of your own you would like to share.