What supplies do I need to buy for hysterectomy and pelvic prolapse surgery recovery?

[Shelydon]

I am having surgery in August for a hysterectomy and POP repair.  I have never had any type of surgery, so I am unsure how to handle recover.  Any suggestions of things I'll need on hand at home when I get out of the hospital?  Maybe things I'll need for my 24 hours at the hospital as well?

 

Thanks

[KathyBC]

I brought a book, of course.
Couldn't lift anything for quite some time afterwards. Kids helped me hang clothes on the clothesline. They pretty much had to do everything with that. It was a happy day when I could weed the garden.
After a few weeks post-op, I found OTC menstrual products irritating and got a friend to hook me up with some cloth products.
Other than that, best decision ever.

[Terabith]

Miralax or other laxative to help with pooping afterwards.  A notebook to write down when you take pain meds.  I alternated pain meds with tylenol for awhile.  

[Spryte]

Buy the very best, cushiest, most wonderful heating pad you can find. Seriously.  

Prep easy food ahead of time.  

They aren’t kidding when they say don’t lift.  Don’t vacuum either.

Wishing you a quick recovery!

 

[prairiewindmomma]

HysterSisters is a great resource!! 

[Selkie]

I just had a hysterectomy and prolapse repairs in May. I was very nervous beforehand, but I agree with @KathyBC - best decision ever! 

I stayed one night in the hospital and they provided almost everything I needed - gown, toothbrush, toothpaste, pads, snacks, drinks. 

I would recommend bringing an extra long charger for your phone. 

One handy tip is to wear the same outfit home that you wore to the hospital - that way you don't have to pack an extra outfit. Wear something comfy (I wore yoga pants, a loose t-shirt, and slip on shoes). If you will have incisions, you might want to wear something without a waist band, like a loose dress. 

Have OTC pain meds on hand at home. I alternated Tylenol and Motrin for the first couple weeks (didn't take any prescription pain meds because they made me nauseous). Also, your doctor will want you to take a stool softener for the first few weeks. Colace is the brand my doctor recommends. 

I spent the first couple weeks on the couch, with a basket on the coffee table that held all my necessities - books, hand lotion, chapstick, etc.

My dh and kids did everything - all the laundry, cleaning, animal care - for the first several weeks. My doctor didn't want me lifting or bending over or doing anything other than resting and walking.

I started cooking simple meals at around week 4, and doing a little light housework at week 5. I'm at week 11 now and feel great. I can't ever lift over 20 lbs. again (doctor's orders, to protect the prolapse repairs), but that is no big deal.

If you're on Facebook, there is a group called "Hysterectomy Support and Shared Experiences" that is very helpful. 

That's all I can think of now, but let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!!

 

 

[KSera]

11 minutes ago, Selkie said:

 I can't ever lift over 20 lbs. again

Is that standard for prolapse repair?

[Selkie]

8 minutes ago, KSera said:

Is that standard for prolapse repair?

Yes. No lifting, moving furniture, shoveling snow, trying to open a stuck window - those are all examples my doctor mentioned.

[KathyBC]

And I actually obeyed them for the first few years.

[lauraw4321]

Do you mind me asking what kind of prolapse repair requires you never lift more than 20 pounds again?

[Selkie]

39 minutes ago, lauraw4321 said:

Do you mind me asking what kind of prolapse repair requires you never lift more than 20 pounds again?

I had a prolapsed bladder, a cystocele, and a rectocele.

[Shelydon]

9 hours ago, KSera said:

Is that standard for prolapse repair?

My doctor said not to lift heavy things until 6 month mark to let tissues heal.  I lift heavy things (50lbs plus) like horse feed, shooting targets, hay bales regularly.  If I wasn't allowed to lift heavy things ever again, I would not have surgery.

[Shelydon]

 

Thanks everyone.  I might need to hire house keeping help for a few weeks.

[Spryte]

10 hours ago, prairiewindmomma said:

HysterSisters is a great resource!! 

HysterSisters is still around?!  Cool!  I loved them back in ‘99 when I had my hysterectomy in my 20s!  Ancient history.

OP, definitely hire help around the house.  Seriously.  Prep what you can, and plan on not lifting. Mine was a straight hysterectomy, no repairs, and still the no lifting was important.

Get some good books and tell everyone to get on board with the plan.

Then, when you are tempted to overdo (which you will be!) tell your peeps to keep an eye on you and make sure you don’t. Make it into a light hearted game if you have to, offer prizes if they catch you and stop you from lifting or doing things you shouldn’t.  

Overdoing will extend your full recovery time.  Don’t ask me how I know … 

[Selkie]

19 minutes ago, Shelydon said:

My doctor said not to lift heavy things until 6 month mark to let tissues heal.  I lift heavy things (50lbs plus) like horse feed, shooting targets, hay bales regularly.  If I wasn't allowed to lift heavy things ever again, I would not have surgery.

The lifting restriction has been a little bit challenging because I also have horses and am used to lifting hay bales and horse feed. But doing that type of heavy work contributed to my prolapses, so I’ve had to re-think how to do things and rope my dh into helping.🙂

My surgery was necessary because the cystocele was at the point where it could have caused kidney damage if not repaired, plus my quality of life was pretty awful due to the discomfort.

My doctor said that because I am fairly young (52), there is a good chance I’ll need to have the surgery re-done in the future. I’m trying to put that off as long as possible (hopefully forever!), so I’m following her recommendations to the T.

[Shelydon]

8 hours ago, Spryte said:

HysterSisters is still around?!  Cool!  I loved them back in ‘99 when I had my hysterectomy in my 20s!  Ancient history.

OP, definitely hire help around the house.  Seriously.  Prep what you can, and plan on not lifting. Mine was a straight hysterectomy, no repairs, and still the no lifting was important.

Get some good books and tell everyone to get on board with the plan.

Then, when you are tempted to overdo (which you will be!) tell your peeps to keep an eye on you and make sure you don’t. Make it into a light hearted game if you have to, offer prizes if they catch you and stop you from lifting or doing things you shouldn’t.  

Overdoing will extend your full recovery time.  Don’t ask me how I know … 

I've already told them that they have to help me not lift or bend.  I know it will be hard for me.  I am just do what needs to be done and never ask for help.

[elegantlion]

I had a hysterectomy in October. The stool softener was a wonderful thing. 

I bought a few new books, some baggy pjs and a long pj night shirt for comfort. I found baby wipes helpful as well for times you just want to freshen up. 

I hope your surgery goes well. I wish I could have had mine years ago.

[Terabith]

I bought new underwear one size bigger with soft waist band.  I appreciated them.  I also ordered these wrap things that I could put over the incisions and put ice packs inside.  They were really helpful, but I had a 13 inch incision, not the laparoscopic surgery.  https://www.hysterectomystore.com/perfect-pocket-abdominal-binder-with-2-cool-packs/

[fairfarmhand]

My mother had those “old lady” style house dresses, you know, gathered at the neckline, falling loose around the body… that she wore after her surgery. Even at age 15, I thought how comfy (and ugly) they looked. Mom only ever  wore those things in her recovery, she never wore them again. I remember vividly the colors and patterns because they were so not normal for my mother to wear. 😄

[Shelydon]

Thanks everyone for the tips!

I checked into housekeeping for 6 weeks, but the minimum cost would be $1000, so I am going to skip it and hope my kids will keep up with everything.