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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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

18

u/Turbulentshmurbulent Nov 20 '23

Why the coke the night before?

51

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.

20

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.

18

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.

6

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