dVH/RALH: Upcoming Vaginal Hysterectomy - March 8, 2017

Hello,
I'm 40 years old and the mother of 1. I will be having a vaginal hysterectomy and nervous. Any pointers To prep prior too

Hi DMVm to HysterSisters!

I am so glad you found this site. Your feelings and nerves are very normal. This is a difficult surgery to face and digest.

Having a hysterectomy is MAJOR SURGERY, and recovery takes time. Think weeks and not days. So, you will need to prepare your household for your downtime. Here are 10 Tips for Preparing for Your Hysterectomy. Be sure to read the related articles. What I found most helpful were:

-Meals in the freezer that can be put in the microwave
-Easy foods for breakfasts and lunches
-Loose fitting clothing
-Prepare your recovery corner with pillows and blankets.
-Small pillow to hold against your tummy for coughs and sneezes
-Super clean your house
-Get your hair cut

You will need help with cooking, cleaning, dishes, laundry, shopping, driving, etc. I do not know how young your child is, but here is information on Recovering from Hysterectomy with Small Children. Here also are 5 Things Your Family Needs to Know About Hysterectomy.

Just know you are not alone in any of this. We are here for you.

Hi DMVm,

I would add to Marestail's list:

1. A body pillow so you can sleep on your side and hold it against your belly.

2. A reacher/grabber with soft rubber tips that will actually let you pick things up without bending over.

I found those to be really valuable for my recovery.

To the previous lists, I would add in a few items to get your bowels moving; that includes a good pair of walking shoes, a water bottle, peppermint tea, prunes, dried apricots, frozen cherries, and magnesium-rich dark chocolate. If you're planning to do any binge watching, I would also recommend a power bar, so you can plug in your electronics without any undue bending or reaching. Best wishes for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery!

Thank you so much. My son is 16 years old. The tips you shared means alot. I have begun the super cleaning of my home since reading this. Grocery shopping is next on the list.