TAH: Upcoming hysterectomy 9/5: Is there a checklist to prepare for recovery?

Hi Ladies,

I'm glad I found this forum and will be doing a lot of reading over the next few weeks as I prepare for this surgery. I'm still in the sad stage that I'm going to be loosing my uterus. I've had a 20 year battle with fibroids that has finally come to this conclusion. I've done everything I could to avoid a hysterectomy. I've had 2 UAE, tried birth control pills, diet & exercise. And now I feel like the fibroids have won.

I'm starting to accept this decision and now I'm looking for all the information I can find to make sure I have everything I need to ensure a smooth recovery. I will have my daughter to help me but I want to make things as easy as possible for her (she suffers from mental illness) as she gets overwhelmed and stressed easily. I want to have a brave face for her so she knows that I will be ok.

I want to get to the place were I can celebrate, like this lady I know at church. When I told her I have to get a hysterectomy she gave me a high five!! Talk about bewildered. I just stared at her. She was so cheerful and bubblie saying that I can join the "wear white all year" club. She's given me something to look forward to and I can't wait to feel like she does now.

So if you guys have a checklist of everything you should have for recovery at home that would help me a lot.

Blessings,
Virginia

Hi Jinn to HysterSisters!

I am so glad you found this site. Here are 10 Tips for Preparing for Your Hysterectomy. Be sure to read the related articles.

What I found most useful were the following:
-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 and driving. You may need this assistance (at some level) for 2 weeks or more. Here are a couple of articles that may help:
Assistance after Hysterectomy
Living Alone and Recovering from Hysterectomy

Can someone from the church help out if your daughter gets too overwhelmed?

It can be hard to lose your uterus, something that has made its presence known to you, for better or worse, for decades. And now that is being taken from you by force. It is okay to feel sad about this. I mourned the loss of my uterus, cervix, tubes and ovaries for a long time. The intensity of these feelings diminished with time, but can still return now and again.

It is also okay to celebrate that which you cannot do now but will be able to after your surgery - like where white whenever you want. This is a process, and however you feel is correct. And this feeling can change from day to day, or even hour to hour. It is all good.

Just remember that you are not alone in any of this. We are here for you and understand how you feel.

I had a grapefruit sized fibroid pressing on my bladder, so I celebrated being able to go places without always making a beeline for the nearest restroom, or carrying a purse full of tampons and incontinence pads. For your recovery, in addition to what Marestail has suggested, I would recommend a few items that can help with that all-important first post-op bowel movement. Taking regular walks has always been my top recommendation for this, so be sure you have a good pair of walking shoes; also look for bungee laces and a long shoehorn, so you can slip them on and off without a lot of effort. Helpful grocery items to have on hand include peppermint tea, ground flaxseeds, whole grain cereal, prunes and prune juice, frozen cherries, dried apricots, and magnesium rich dark chocolate and pumpkin seeds. Also look for something to elevate your feet while sitting on the toilet, like a Squatty Potty or a low stool; this can help to prevent straining, by properly aligning the rectum, so the poop can pass through more smoothly. Other helpful household items include a grabber for picking up small objects off the floor, and a power bar, for plugging in your electronics without any undue bending or reaching. Also look for activities to occupy your recovery time, like maybe a new game or puzzle app for your mobile device, a Netflix binge, books you've always wanted to read, some adult colouring books, or a favourite hobby. Check our "hints from members" forum for more ideas, and mark your calendar for our September 3 Open House Chat Thread, where you'll have an opportunity to meet and chat with your surgery week sisters. Best wishes for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery!

Thank you Marestail and Tiger_Eye so much for the kind words of support and encouragement.

I'm putting all these items in a checklist for myself to have in place over the next few weeks. This is a great help.

I will have some church family and a close friend to help me & my daughter through. I tend not to ask for help when I need it because I don't like to bother anyone. And it's a shield of me not wanting to be let down by people. But for this recovery, I know I have to kick that pride right out the door.

I look forward reading all the advice and everyone's story. And I have the Open House Chat on my list.

Thanks again and many blessings.

I had a total hysterectomy via Davinci for cancer on August 2nd.

Here are my tips:

No need for pillow for your tummy going home - just hold the seatbelt so it doesn't tighten.

Keep bladder empty by going to bathroom frequently but make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

Prep meals ahead of time.

I was able to go up and down stairs easily from the first day.

I did not need naps and so far (9 days later) I still don't. I went back to work 8 days post op.

I add this to say that everyone is individual and I had no issues whatsoever.

	Quote:
No need for pillow for your tummy going home - just hold the seatbelt so it doesn't tighten.

You may not need one, but it's a good idea to use a small pillow under your seatbelt in case of a sudden stop. You'll be glad you did.

Each patient recovers at her own pace. Some recover more quickly than others. Don't assume anything, but be ready. Not everyone will need a daily nap, but after being a member here for more than nineteen years I realize that most women DO need a nap for at least a week or two and perhaps more. Follow your doctor's instructions. We are happy for those who have an uneventful recovery, but we understand that most women will be out of work for at least two weeks. Not many are driving at four days post op, and much depends on what type of hysterectomy is performed.