10 Tips to Prepare for Surgery

Preparing for surgery can be frightening... Especially if you have no knowledge on what to expect.

Here are 10 helpful hints on how to prepare yourself for the big day.

1) Talk to others who have had surgery

With the amount of support groups, blogs, and sites about endometriosis out there now, the internet is a great place to start. Whether you read their article or reach out to them directly, they are your best source. They can walk you through any important questions you may have.

2) Take care of yourself

Shave, wash your hair, cut your nails, or anything else you like to do to pamper yourself. Once you have surgery, you may be in too much pain for a few days to take care of these things. Be sure you take out any piercings that may get in the way of surgery. Practice some yoga moves and breathing exercises to help you stay relaxed.

3) Complete bowel prep or fasting (if recommended)

Most surgeries require you to fast after a certain time. Make sure you follow this rule. There are some cases you may also have to do a bowel prep if there is a chance endometriosis is on your bowels. Follow this also. It isn’t easy, but will be worth it in the end.

4) Make prior arrangements

Although laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive, it is still surgery. You are being opened up and they are moving your insides around. You will still be in pain. It is important to let your job know you will be out for at least two weeks. This can sometimes be longer, depending on how exactly your surgery goes. Either way, making sure you take the full two weeks to recover is important, as you do not want to relapse. Be sure you have plans for your animals for the first few days and that you have someone around to help you. It is also important to be sure you have a ride home after surgery, as you will not be able to drive. Have post-op meals already prepared and made for you. Keep in mind, anything light on your stomach and easy to heat up will be the best meals.

5) Pack an overnight bag

I will touch on this in another article, but be sure to pack a bag, just in case. Surgeries all differ and you do not know if the doctor decides to keep you.

6) Find your comfy clothes

Be sure you wear comfy clothes to surgery. You will most likely want to wear them for the next few weeks while you and your incisions recover. This can include nightgowns, baggy sweat pants, shirts, and bras without any sorts of wiring or elastics. Bring a small blanket or pillow to use on your way home, to keep your seatbelt off of your incisions.

7) Clean the house

Be sure you have laundry, dishes, bed sheets, and whatever else you want cleaned.

8) Make things easy to reach

If there are certain things you use on a daily basis, that are at a high level, move them to waist level. You will not be doing any lifting, reaching, bending, or climbing while you recover.

9) Prepare a spot

Be sure to have a spot ready for when you come home. A place that is easy to get up and down from. Somewhere you can lay flat on your back and stretch out your legs. Be sure to fill a bucket of essentials you may want or need to keep right next to you.

10) Organize your medications

Most importantly, if you are on medications, make sure you have them filled and picked up before surgery. You do not want to risk running out of them while you are trying to recover. The hospital will most likely call in medications for you after surgery. Make sure whoever is bringing you home, stops and picks them up.