Hi everyone!!
Good luck on your upcoming surgery. Make sure you check out the tips on here. I wish I had known about this site BEFORE my surgery. I'm 5 weeks post op.
Here is my tip: ask your doctor what do they do to try and prevent adhesions (and yes, there are things they can do).
As soon as you can, get up and walk. When you get home, don't overdo it but walk just for a few minutes if doc says it's ok. They should encourage you to do some light walking. I made a mistake by not doing that and basically doing nothing for 3 weeks because of pain. After research, I found out that walking could have prevented (possibly) getting adhesions which I will tell you hurts like hell.
Also, and this is just my opinion...I didn't do this and I regret it. I had a total hysterectomy. Removed everything. I WISH I had gotten a second opinion before I agreed to this. I'm a nurse and I should have known to do that. I feel like my doctor pressured me into it and I just did it. Some people obviously need to do it but I really think in my case, we could have tried something less conservative. So, don't hesitate to do that.
Oh..and ice to the belly helps so much!!!
I had no idea this surgery would be this hard and my doctor didn't tell me what to expect. Download the book here. Ask questions. Know what to expect. I had things happen that are "normal" but I didn't know that. Educate your support system. Don't compare yourself to anyone on here. You will see some people doing great and you will wonder why you aren't. Our bodies are so different and healing happens differently for everyone. Last thing, don't be surprised if you experience grief or depression. I became severely depressed. Read the articles. It helps. This site saved me from going crazy. Lol! I wish all of you the very best of luck and will be praying for you. Take care!!
Tip for pre op patients
