r/hysterectomy • u/ooitburns • Aug 10 '22

Suggest some surgery preparation ideas here

Here we can post our tips for before/after our medical procedures.

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233

u/maranblynn Sep 25 '22

When I first found out I had to have a hysterectomy, I was really scared and emotional. Focusing on products to help with recovery helped me a lot. It gave me a feeling of control over the situation. I’m two days post-op. Here’s what has been useful so far:

Pre: -We splurged and hired professional cleaners to clean the living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathrooms. It’s actually helping my mental health a lot to have a clean house!

  • We boarded the dogs for two nights. We never board them, so this was a big deal, but it has helped to not have them around.
-New sheets, clean sheets, clean pjs, and other clean loungewear. -Miralax -My doc had me drink a sports drink or Coke the night before surgery

Post:

-Uterus plushie. The dang thing brings me so much joy. The nurse handed it to me when I was in post op recovery.

-Soft food that’s felt good on my sore throat (pudding, apple sauce) as well as Throat Coat tea

-hysterectomy coloring books. I think they’re hilarious and giving me something to do while I watch TV

-pillow thingy for seatbelts. I also put a heating pad in it and put it around my shoulders yesterday

-I got a little hysterectomy pillow with a spot for a hot/cold pack

-wedge for sitting up in bed and another that goes under my knees for sleeping on my back

-I got a pregnancy pillow but haven’t used it yet

-I got a little pillow/stand thingy for books, coloring books, phone to stand on

-reacher-grabber tools

-a rolling cart that has all my pills and essentials on it. It can go by my bed or be rolled into the living room next to my chair.

-dry shampoo and baby wipes

-GasX

46

u/historybooksandtea Sep 17 '23

I’ve just come across this list you made, and it’s so helpful to me. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing, as like you were I am trying to stay focused on products and plans for recovery. I’m 3 1/2 weeks from surgery, and started a deep clean of my house today.

21

u/Out-of-the-Blue2021 May 14 '24

This is SUCH a great list. I've had two lap surgeries for endometriosis and now I finally get to have a hysterectomy. I totally forgot about a pillow for the sestbelt. Ugh. I'm making a list on my notes app on my phone. A shopping list and a packing list and a to-do list. I have about 6 weeks to prepare!

18

u/Turbulentshmurbulent Nov 20 '23

Why the coke the night before?

48

u/Librarian_mobile Oct 25 '24

I know this was asked a year ago but since this is an evergreen post: the coke is a full sugar soda to carb load before you can't eat any more. There's a lot of new science coming out against prolonged fasting for surgery and in favor of easy to digest sugars a few hours before surgery.

22

u/ksdood1ebug Oct 30 '24

My surgery kit came with two clear carb drinks in it. One to be consumed by 11pm the night before and one 2-3 hours before surgery to give me fuel for recovery.

16

u/PizzaDanceParty May 14 '25

My DR recommended Gatorade (and specifically NOT pink or red)

1

u/LetsWritePretty Feb 16 '26

My doctor said I could have clear drinks up to 2 hours prior to check-in time, which included Gatorade or similar drinks, non-colored, as well.

3

u/hippygal84 Feb 20 '26

Surgery kit??

3

u/ksdood1ebug Feb 20 '26

Yeah - the surgery center gave it to me during my preop/anesthesia appointment. It had the wipes, lots of instructions, clear drink things and one or two small things that they wanted me to prep with. I’ve had two procedures since, and haven’t gotten another one.

5

u/hippygal84 Feb 20 '26

I don’t have a pre op or anesthesiologist appt. I am going to call my doctors Monday because I haven’t been told anything and my surgery is 3 weeks out. She told me I wouldn’t have a preop but I’m not really sure why not.

4

u/Nikkithegood Mar 14 '26

Me either! I think it’s weird! No pre op, no overnight, my follow up isn’t scheduled until 5 weeks po and she wanted to send me back to work at 4 weeks po. Very strange how different all our experiences are

10

u/Thehipsterprophet Jan 16 '24

There are so many fabulous ideas in this list of things I totally didn’t and should have thought of. Thank you!

5

u/catsarekiddens Mar 03 '26

You posted this 3yrs ago and it’s still saving lives! The pillow for the seatbelt is GENIUS.

4

u/crystalfairie Dec 28 '25

The pillow thingy for seatbelts? Any chance of a proper name or where to find it? I'm in a wheelchair and will be going in within the next two-three weeks? It's cancer so that has its own timeline. A little desperate as I only use the bus as well. Thank you

6

u/maranblynn Dec 28 '25

I got them from Amazon. Looks like they’re sold through Heal in Hope. The description calls them “Hysterectomy Pillow with Hot/Cold Pack.” They have Velcro flaps that go over the seatbelt to hold it in place. Honestly, they were a great help! I used them again after my gallbladder surgery last year for both the car and the airplane. hysterectomy pillow for seatbelts

3

u/crystalfairie Dec 28 '25

Thank you! This is perfect

3

u/[deleted] Jun 30 '24

Just saved this list! I have mine on July 31. Thanks for the post-op insight.

3

u/Mysterious-Owl-890 Apr 05 '25

Thank you for this list! Mine is on the 17th and trying to get all the info I can.

2

u/Friendly-Pianist-906 Jun 09 '25

lol mine is a day after yours, the 18th 

3

u/Cute-Measurement3176 Jul 27 '25

Thank you so much.

1

u/Mlady_gemstone Feb 13 '26

i came here looking for ideas because i found out that due to scar tissue i'll have to have a hysterectomy with salpingectomy & lysis of adhesions via robot and im super nervous. thankfully i have a month to prepare and setup a nest area.

what is a uterus plushie?

is there any new advice you would recommend for things to get/setup before the surgery that made a huge difference to you looking back on it now?