Hi all,
Hope you are all doing well. This is my 6 week post op today and I just wanted to share some of my best tips for recovery with you and some things to maybe avoid! lol
Tip 1 ~ Please don't move around too much straight after surgery! When I woke up I felt like I needed to pee, so I asked for a commode. They helped me sit on it but nothing happened, so I then stood on it, in a squatting position, feet on seat, and tried hard to squeeze some urine out ... I think I was still in a drunken daze from the aesthetic ... I just remember the nurse remarking how agile I was for my age!! lol
They hadn't long taken the catheter out so my bladder wasn't actually full, it just felt like it.
Anyway I couldn't pee, but later, when on the recovery ward, I was in a lot of pain. So they had to give me more pain meds which made me feel a bit sick and light headed. I'm sure it's because I moved about too soon and put pressure on my insides. So please Don't do that. Bad idea.
I did pee eventually and it took about half an hour to trickle out... I think they thought I'd fallen down the loo! So don't panic. It will all go back to normal eventually. If you have problems just ask a nurse to scan your bladder and they can pop a catheter back in for awhile if need be, but it's usually fine.
Tip 2 ~ Lay down, a LOT, for first few weeks, esp if you have had your cervix removed. It takes time for those stiches to heal and they do it quicker without any extra pressure on them. ( those bowels baby! ) Take short walks around the house of course it's good for you but lay down as much as possible, even sitting is not so good at beginning.
Tip 3 ~ Since we mentioned bowels, you know what I'm going to say ladies: Stool softeners are a girls best friend! Plus lots of water, fruit, soup and soft foods. It really helps a lot believe me!
Tip 4 ~ Take hot salt baths, sea salt if possible. As soon as you feel okay with it and your doctor says it's fine. I was worried at first but checked with my hospital and they actually encourage it after first few days after a laparoscopic hysterectomy. It may be different for you so always check. I think I had a mild infection , slight smelly yellow discharge, (euwhh, sorry, ) and red, itchy incisions around week 2. Obviously if you think you have a serious infection you must check with your doctor. For me though I found the hot sea salt baths cleared it up quickly. They also really helped with the pain and swelling too.
Tip 5 ~ When you feel able, try to go out for short walks in the day light. I found it helps to get outside and you feel more normal and lifts your mood. Take a soft cushion with you and maybe a husband. One to sit on and one to lean on. The cushion comes in handy in the car too, also the husband, if you need someone to drive you places! Try to find somewhere you know has a bench nearby. Don't try to walk too far to begin with but set a little goal to walk a little further every few days. Have rest days in between and lots of hot salt baths!
Well I think that's my main top.tips. I hope I have helped someone or at least cheered you up a bit. At only 6 weeks post op I feel almost back to normal although I am still taking it nice n easy. Just listen to your own body basically. There is light at the end of the tunnel and you will be there much sooner than you think, so hang in there!
6 weeks post op today and feeling good, my top tips for recovery.
