Hysterectomy soon - what else do I need?

[hippospot]

I've lined up a cleaner and some help.
Husband is WFH anyway.
I've stocked up on peppermint tea, thick sanitary towels and prunes.
I have some elastic-waisted trousers to wear afterwards.
I will do a massive online shop beforehand.

Can you think of anything else I might need to buy or organise?

Surgery is keyhole and I'm slim and active, mid-40s. Am really hoping the recovery will be straightforward.

Many thanks.

Pain killers
Loose T Shirts?

YES! Thanks. I'll stock up.

Borrow/hire a Zimmer frame to get hold onto to when you use the loo for the first few days. And get a medical corset - absolute lifesaver.

Hello, I’m on the waiting list for one too. I had my pre-op today so hopefully not too long a wait now.

I’ve made a list, I have lip balm on it in case of dry mouth/lips after surgery and flip flops for in the shower if you need to use one there I was also told and something to do like read or watch on an iPad etc.
Hope that helps a bit and good luck !

Medical corset - where can I get one?
I have crutches already - do you think that would work in lieu of a zimmer frame (my house is a bit small for that)?

@UnbalancedMum good luck to you too. I have pre-op tomorrow and have a date in two weeks (am going private).

Needing to shield for two weeks beforehand is the biggest challenge right now.

Hi, I had a hysterectomy 7 years ago, out next day, shopping 2 days later, driving after 1 weekand new ft job 2nd week. I did not use, a zimmer framr, or a medical corset, had kids at home and no other adult to help. I was early 40's. Pain wasnt really an issue and I walk quite slow anyway.

Do some batch cooking beforehand to put in the freezer so you'll have some meals ready to just defrost when you come home.
Have a small table next to you through the day whether you're resting in bed or on the sofa,that way you can keep things like water,painkillers,book,snack etc close at hand without having to move about too much.

Medical corset (just a stretchy wide belt!) from any chemist or the hospital can give you one.

Big knickers that come up to your waist

Hot water bottle or heating pads as your shoulders might ache

Long charging cables so you can use your devices in bed and be plugged in

Some foods and drinks that you traditionally like when you are ill (for me its bacon sandwiches and mac n cheese and sugary, milky tea)

Lots of pillows for the bed so you can prop yourself up and even put some under your knees

A fuzzy blanket to go around your shoulders

Good luck

I had a keyhole hysterectomy at 45. Out the same day, pain was manageable. Back to work after 6 weeks.

You really don't need medical corsets for keyhole surgery.

That being said, I had a keyhole cysts removal and was out of action for a month. The general anaesthetic just made me exhausted for weeks, sleeping 14 hours a day!

I had keyhole hysterectomy plus tubes and ovaries at Christmas. It sounds like you are well set. Don’t bother with the corset, I would take a pillow or cushion from home and hold it against your abdomen when you try to turn, sit up or stand. It really helps and you can put it over your abdomen before putting the seatbelt on when going home. Drink plenty of water and use the lactulose/ Sena stuff they give you so you don’t get constipated. Both consultants said don’t try and be brave, take the drugs offered and the ones you are sent home with.
Good luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine

Oh and I don’t think you will need a zimmer, just take it slow and easy

Following with interest as I’m on waiting list for hysterectomy (who knows when as everything delayed due to Covid 🙁)
Some really good tips here everyone thank you.
Hope the surgery goes week for you hippospot

I would have really struggled without a big body support pillow that I had. I really found it uncomfortable to lie flat, it was as if all the wounds stretched. So I would prop myself up against this pillow. It was a godsend.

No need for crutches or a medical corset. I was 36, fairly fit, and recovered well. Went back to work after two months.

marmite51 would you mind saying where you got your pillow from? I’d welcome a recommendation. Thanks.

I actually borrowed it from someone I knew who had already had a hysterectomy. It was U shaped. If you Google u shaped pillow I think it was the first one on Amazon.

Sorry, can't seem to copy the link!

marmite51 thank you 🙂

I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy five years ago. I was/am over 60, overweight and limited mobility at the best of times.

I was up and walking to the loo within 2 hours of returning to the ward, home next morning. I live on my own and managed fine with cleaner and supermarket deliveries. Didn't need anything stronger than paracetamol, although constipation was a bit of a problem initially. I was warned that, even if I wasn't in pain, I needed to avoid lifting*/bending stretching for the full six weeks and then gradually increase activity. This is to allow internal healing to take place.

Very very tired for several weeks though.

*nothing more than a kilo. I was specifically advised to only half-fill kettles.

I haven’t had a hysterectomy but I have had two emergency c sections. By far the most useful thing for me was peppermint oil, as the wind afterwards was awful. I don’t know if it would be the same after keyhole surgery though.