It has been 7 weeks since I had my partial hysterectomy. I still have my ovaries, but they took everything else. Through the hysterectomy recovery there were a few items that I could NOT live without and that truly made hysterectomy recovery so much easier. I thought I would share this list with you!
I had a laparoscopic partial hysterectomy. They made three incisions on my abdomen. One on each side about 3 inches above my hip bones and one through my belly button. Surgery went well and for the most part, my hysterectomy recovery was pretty good too. I would not have faired well without a few items so I just had to share with you!
1. Loose Fitting Clothing: I have been a LuLaRoe fan for a while now and I wore LLR to the hospital knowing that I would need something comfortable and easy to wear. Well I lived in LLR leggings and tops for 2 full weeks. The leggings were better than any other brands in my closet, simply because the waist band does not bind in any way at all. If I had to do it over again, I would buy more LLR (Protip: find a distributor that is going out of business and buy their stock, because you can get some amazing deals)!
2. Belly Binder: One of the side effects that I did not prepare for was how sore my stomach muscles would feel. It felt like my insides were trying to fall out of my belly button. It wasn’t pleasant, but I found these awesome belly binders to wear which gave me enough support to feel human and heal. I did ask my doctor about these before I purchased and she gave it the absolute go ahead! That “swelly belly” is real folks and you are going to want the support.
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| Photo Credits: CT Sinus Center |
3. Ibuprofen: I am NOT a doctor, but my OB recommended that I take Ibuprofen. Problem was that she told me this when I was in recovery and no one was there with me because they would not allow my nephew back there. Fast forward to day 3 of recovery and she calls to check on me and I tell her that I am not sure the pain killers are helping and that I am so swollen. This is where she reminds me that I needed to take Ibuprofen to help. Yeah, within 2 hours I was feeling a million times better. Stock up hystersisters!
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| Photo Credit: Symi Well Being Center |
4. Massage: The gas pain from surgery is real. It moves into your shoulders, neck and jaw and you feel like you have been hit by a bus. Relief comes from movement and let me tell you that the best thing that I did was schedule a massage during my hysterectomy recovery. I had the therapist work my upper back, neck and jaw and the gas was pretty much gone when she was done. Best. Decision. Ever.
5. Stool Softeners: I don’t think you need a visual here, just know that narcotics prescribed during hysterectomy recovery can back you up and you will hate yourself if this happens, so just get these, use them and you will thank me later. Oh and drink water, drink all the water, only drink water.
6. Help: You need help, accept it, deal with it and enjoy it. Hysterectomy recovery is a major surgery and I should have taken more of it. No joke people, do not get a puppy, let your kids stay at their grandparents and have your spouse stay home to take care of you. You need a good 3 days of solid help and maybe a bit more. I could not have done this without my mom and my husband. They were really great!
I feel great and am so incredibly happy that I had this surgery. I never once had second thoughts or was worried about anything. I didn’t realize how terrible I was feeling. I didn’t realize how much energy that I did not have. I didn’t realize how freeing it would feel to be period free. I didn’t understand how much my body, family and psyche needed this. No joke people, I am nearly a new person and I feel like I got my life back. The items I listed above were so helpful in recovery and I hope they help someone else facing this too! If you are curious about how my recovery went, check out my recovery post as well!
Mimi G.
April 6, 2018 at 10:28 pmI saw your advice online – thank you!!
Had a hysterectomy with chemo in mid 2016 and it was followed by significant so-called swelly belly.
Just ordered compression underwear and a belly binder which I did seek doctor approval for beforehand, and I also just started to take ibuprophen and probiotics/digestive enzymes for bloating.
But wanted to ask you – a year later, how is the swelling and bloating for you – were you able to contain it noticeably in the year since it’s been that you posted your advice?
Laura
April 7, 2018 at 11:50 amHi! I am so glad you stopped by. It will be a year for me in July and I still have a bit of a swelly belly hanging around. I cannot lose weight like I had been and constantly feel the bloat. However, compared to what I was dealing with, this is nothing. I will say that I still feel tugging inside from scar tissue. If you check out my Instagram you can see some photos of me, I dont look pregnant anymore, but I do still have a pooch.
Selena Gasbarro
April 18, 2018 at 7:26 pmI just had my hysterectomy and your info was helpful, thank you!
Laura
April 18, 2018 at 8:27 pmYou are very welcome. It was the BEST decision I have made to date. Take care healing and make sure to take it easy!
S. McElroy
May 15, 2018 at 9:41 pmI just found out I’m having a radical done soon and will be preparing myself with your ideas. Thanks for the info.
Laura
May 15, 2018 at 9:44 pmI know it is a bit overwhelming, but it is still the best choice I have ever made! Good luck!
Beba
June 21, 2018 at 8:32 pmThank you. I’m having mine next week and I’m freaking out as days passes..Im afraid of the pain. 😢 Great advices, thx!!
Laura
June 23, 2018 at 3:44 pmGood luck! Let me know how it goes.
Tiffany
October 6, 2018 at 7:41 pm3 days post op thanks for the post
Laura
October 7, 2018 at 7:19 pmYou are welcome! Hope you are healing well and starting to feel somewhat human again.
Jo
November 6, 2018 at 4:37 amHi! Thanks for the advice. I’m 5 weeks post op… How long did you need to wear support pants for? I’ve bought big knickers but still find myself walking round holding my belly!
Laura
November 6, 2018 at 1:52 pmHi! Glad to hear that enjoyed the article. I wore the belly band for about 10 weeks. I started wearing jeans around week 7
Chrissy
December 13, 2018 at 12:05 amI’m currently recovering from my hysterectomy and I agree with everything on this list. Lol. Although I noticed you said you had a partial hysterectomy. Did they leave your cervix? A partial hysterectomy is removal of the uterus but not the cervix. A total hysterectomy is removal of the uterus and cervix. The removal of the uterus, cervix, Fallopian tubes and ovaries is called a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. If they left your ovaries but took your uterus and cervix you had a total hysterectomy.
Laura
December 13, 2018 at 5:34 amThey took my uterus and cervix but kaiser categorized it as partial. I know I don’t have a cervix lol.
Jaimie Goss
March 18, 2019 at 10:57 pmI’m having mine in a week. Insert Angel’s singing. I’ve been in pain for months. Tell me about sitting in a regular chair after surgery.
Laura
March 19, 2019 at 5:26 amYAY! It really has been life changing for me. I thought I would have so many emotions, but truly, the only ones I ever feel is thankful and happy. Sitting for me was completely fine. In fact they had me sitting in a chair and getting myself dressed about 3 hours after surgery. The gas pain is what is killer.
Katrina
March 30, 2019 at 7:21 pmI’m having a medically necessary hysterectomy in a week and a half, I’m freaking out and really anxious about the after – the pain, the healing, etc. Really appreciate you putting this up and I’ve already hit up Amazon and got a belly binder ordered, loose clothes, lots of help, and ibuprofen are either stocked or on thier way. Is there anything else I should look into?
Laura
April 1, 2019 at 5:41 amI was exactly the opposite in terms of my anxiety. I was so excited because finally I would not be so darn sick and feeling like death. It seriously was the best choice I have ever made in terms of my health. For me the toughest part of the recovery was the couple days after surgery when the gas pains began. I called a friend that does massage and had her give me a full body massage with some focus on my neck and shoulders where the gas was trapped and that helped a lot. Maybe scheduling in a massage.
Trinette
March 31, 2019 at 12:50 amThank you for this information and the comments made. I’m having a hysterectomy in Mid May and am looking for as much advise as I can get.
Laura
April 1, 2019 at 5:41 amYou are so very welcome! Women have to share our experiences and I wish I would have had this information prior to mine.
Sarah
April 6, 2019 at 10:50 pmI’m having my hysterectomy in 6 days! I’m having a total with my right ovary staying in. I’m super excited about getting a hysterectomy. How far post op were you when you got a massage? By the way, I have Kaiser too and they approved my surgery the same day they received it from my gynecologists office. I figured they’re tired of paying for me to go there every 2-3 months.
Laura
April 8, 2019 at 11:00 amYay! Welcome to club Hyster-Sister! It is the best decision I have made. I was about 4-5 days post op when I got the massage. Kaiser is no fun, but they were great with surgery!
Lana
May 21, 2019 at 12:56 pmWere you able to lay on your stomach 5 days post op?
Laura
May 21, 2019 at 12:57 pmyes, but not comfortably. I was still pretty swollen
Chandra Harris
May 8, 2019 at 10:06 pmYes, I was looking for feedback.
My name is Chandra, I have several fibroids and a enlarged uterus, having a total hysterectomy in June, every one says that I am going to feel good. Curious about after the surgery and how long did you rest?
Laura
May 13, 2019 at 12:48 pmHey Chandra!
I apologize for taking some time away from responding to comments. I am a teacher in Colorado and it was a rough week for us here. I was up and moving the same day, but really my body needed a couple weeks to really get to feeling better. You are healing from a major surgery. Just take the time and rest. I was able to move and do a lot right away, but I probably would not have been as swollen, tired and sore if I would have just rested.
Susie
May 14, 2019 at 8:15 amI am scheduled for total hysterectomy next month and wondering which would be better to wear home from surgery, LLR Carley or the LLR leggings? Like, did you choose the leggings for some support or would my Carley be better since it’s looser? Thanks for sharing your helpful tips!
Laura
May 14, 2019 at 8:19 amI personally wear very few dresses so the leggings were something that I felt most comfortable in. However, if you are more comfortable in a dress then go for it! Just choose something you are going to be comfortable in and make sure your panties either ride low or up high 😉
Lana
May 21, 2019 at 12:59 pmI’m having a hysterectomy on Friday 5/24! I’m also a Lularoe Retailer! Please message me at lanakdesign@gmail.com and I can totally help you with your Lularoe Search! Carly is awesome but leggings, IMO are just going to hug you and give enough support. I have mine ready for the next 2 weeks so I’m at least happy I can be comfy during the recovery. Really scared of the paid. . happy to move on to the next stage in life and get rid of this pain and bleeding!
Laura
May 21, 2019 at 1:02 pmYay! The pain is manageable as long as you stay up on the anti-inflammatories and the pain meds for a few days.
Stephanie
June 8, 2019 at 9:00 pmThank you thank you thank you for this article! I’m having a total (keeping my ovaries 🤞🏻) in36 days (but who’s counting) and getting really nervous. Many articles I’ve read dwell on the bad stuff and very few say if it was worth it in the long run. I’m half excited and half terrified, you’ve set my mind at ease…even if it is just for tonight. At least I feel like I have some sensible ideas to help prepare for the big day!
Laura
June 9, 2019 at 10:17 pmIt is SO worth it in the long run! 2 years out almost and I feel BETTER than ever and everyone I know that has done it would agree! Good Luck!