Must Have Hysterectomy Recovery Items!

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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.

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!

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.

Edit:  One of my awesome readers suggested that taking GasX helped immensely.  I did not personally do this, but I would have tried anything to move that gas!

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!

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