I recently had an acquaintance share that she was having a hysterectomy in the coming weeks. I figured this would be the perfect time to share a list of the top things that helped me with my hysterectomy recovery. It is what I like to call my hysterectomy recovery kit.
I was blessed to have an amazing doctor that I trust and felt incredibly comfortable with. Even so, we are not given much info to prepare for those first few weeks post op. I found myself scouring the internet for tips, joining Facebook groups for what worked for other women, and making sure I had what I thought I would need in the weeks leading up to my surgery. I am a planner and like things organized so for me it was important to get all the things ready and be able to relax heading into surgery day!
My Hysterectomy Recovery Kit
Here is my list of the 12 things I was so grateful to take advantage of and helped ease my recovery as I got through those first few weeks after my hysterectomy.
U-Shape Full Body Pregnancy Pillow
Don’t let the word “pregnancy” deter you from using this! It is incredibly useful to be comfortable and feel “safe” in your space. Your front will be sore, your sides will be sore, honestly, everything will be sore!
This pillow is so nice to just envelope and support your body while in bed or even on the couch. I am a side sleeper so this helped so much to still allow me to prop myself in ways that didn’t hurt my side or stomach. I also had a new puppy at the time and another dog that slept in bed with us so this was something that provided a barrier from cuddly pups and stray paws smacking me! LOL!! And added bonus, it has a washable cover. Check it out on Amazon here.
You can also use a regular body pillow or multiple regular size pillows to support yourself but you will definitely need the support!
Postpartum Belly Band
An abdominal binder post surgery C-section belly binder wrap is a must-have. For me, having pressure on my belly and added support on the abdomen was a life saver! I woke up from my surgery in quite a bit of pain and discomfort and asked for a belly binder to be put on immediately. Let me just say, it gave me instant relief and comfort!
Having that constant pressure and “hug” on my belly was so nice. I would remove it occasionally to let my abdomen get air but wore one similar to this for about 4 weeks post surgery. As I started moving around, walking, and getting out of the house, the binder gave me a sense of security.
I do suggest discussing with your doctor prior to your surgery though and make sure it is something that is alright for you to use. Besides, it helped pull that meno belly in too!
Ice Pack
I ordered a reusable ice pack that was large and could wrap around my belly and onto my sides a bit. I made sure it was a soft material and was able to wrap around my back. This made my hysterectomy recovery a little better.
Ice has always been a big comfort to me over heat so I knew I would need a handful of ice packs ready to rotate in the fridge. It helped so much those first few days in keeping my pain under control.
I also made a couple ice packs myself with this recipe I found on Pinterest from “The Frugal Girls” for An Easy Homemade Ice Pack that is moldable and reusable. This is what you need- 4 cups water, 1.5 cups rubbing alcohol, and a gallon size freezer bag. You will add the water and rubbing alcohol to your freezer bag and seal it then place it flat in the freezer. The combo of the two ingredients makes the best moldable ice pack!
Charco Caps and Stool Softener
I read a lot of comments on the Facebook groups (Hysterectomy Sisters, Hysterectomy & Menopause Support Group) I was reading through about having the Charco Caps to help combat the gas after surgery. You will have added gas and if its too much, this should help :).
And you definitely want to grab a bottle of stool softeners and start taking them. You can even start the day before your surgery but check with your doctor! Trust me when I say you will be glad you did! The last thing you want to do in that first week or so of recovery is to strain to go to the bathroom. Because of all that has happened in your body and how sore those areas will be, you are not going to feel good about over pushing to poo! Trust me this is a must for your hysterectomy recovery kit.
In fact, if you are like me, you will be freaked out and scared to go for the first time. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way! Just take those stool softeners and be patient. Please just touch base with your doctor on these two over the counter meds though just to be sure they are all good to add to your recovery.
Hysterectomy Pillow for Abdominal Surgery
I read a few suggestions to have a small firm pillow waiting for you in the car for your drive home after surgery. It is supposed to help you by putting it in your lap and then the seatbelt over it. You can also put a lil pressure on top of the pillow as you drive and go over any bumps in the road. It had a pocket for an ice pack (or heat) too! This is the one on Amazon bought.
I purchased a small one like this but wish I would have seen this bigger one at the time. The larger one looks like it will fit that homemade ice pack and it also comes with its own gel pack. If I had purchased the larger one, I would have used it more! Although I did use the smaller one I purchased to prop myself up too! Here is a link to the larger hysterectomy pillow. Although either would make a great hysterectomy recovery gift.
Reacher Grabber
I did not purchase one of these but did wish I had a few times in the recovery process! It is not advised to be doing much bending after surgery, especially in those first few weeks, and this is a tool that will definitely help avoid bending. If you drop something, set something to far away, your remote slipped to the bottom of your bed, this is the tool to help with all those things! To be honest, I could probably benefit from having one of these all the time to reach things in my tall cupboards!
Folding Lap Desk
I did debate on this but in the end, I was glad I had purchased it. It made things so easy when I would be in bed. It helped if I was eating, reading from my kindle, working on something to keep me busy, and kept me from resting things on my torso in bed.
If you work from home and plan to do some work while recovering in bed, this will absolutely be needed! There are so many different ones to choose from on Amazon. Click here to choose.
Adult Coloring Books and Markers
I know, this seems silly but you are going to get bored! I don’t know about you but I can only handle so much tv at a time and even though I love to read, it can get boring real quick. Having these funny books and a set of markers gave me something to focus on and keep my hands and mind busy without being out of bed.
You really just need to have a few things close that can help break up the monotony of laying in bed the first few weeks. Grab a crossword book, sudoku, word search, any kind of activity book and just have them to help the time pass. These are also funny and make great hysterectomy recovery gifts.
Here are some of the ones I found on Amazon that I love. My Hysterectomy Recovery Coloring Book, Dual Tip Markers, and the My Uterus and I Broke Up Activity Book.
Accessible Bin, Basket, or Box with Meds, Snacks, Activities
I told you I’m a planner and need things organized! This is something I put together a few days before my surgery and had it on a small table on my side of the bed, easy for me to grab. I filled it with a few of my fave protein bars, a little candy, chips (whatever you like to munch on and doesn’t make you sick) so I would have easy things to grab if I got hungry or needed something to take with a medication.
My husband was not always home and neither were my boys so this way I knew I had access to some grub. I made sure I had water too and any medications I would need through out the day. If your doctor gives you pain meds you won’t get it till after surgery but make sure to add it to your box.
I also put all the silly coloring books and markers in my bedside bin along with my kindle and small planner. Anything that you think you will need and be accessible to you should be put into your bin/box. This way it can also be placed next to you on your bed during the day if you are alone so its very easy to reach and use what you have in it. Doing this before hand helped me to feel prepared and less stressed because I knew I had all the things I could possibly want right next to me and I had put it all there.
I think getting a cute little organizer like this one, maybe even adding things to it, would make a great hysterectomy recovery gift!
Recliner
I understand we all may not have one of these at home. We don’t own a big recliner and by about the second day I knew I needed something else besides my bed.
My bedroom is upstairs and my husband was adamant about me not using the stairs at all the first week and even into the second week. He didn’t want me to be using them without someone near in case I was lightheaded or dizzy and might fall. I started getting very uncomfortable laying and trying to prop myself up in bed. My rheumatoid arthritis was making it even more difficult to get comfortable and causing extra pain and discomfort.
To fix this my husband took a section from our sectional couch that still had a working recliner and brought it upstairs to our room to give me another option. I didn’t think it would be necessary or needed but it totally was. It helped so much to be able to sit in the recliner in a position that took pressure off my back and hips and allowed my upper body to be more upright without putting pressure on my abdomen. I hated having to admit that the man was right! LOL!
Anyway, if you have one, consider moving it into your room to help you get more comfy when needed. (And yes, I’m talking about the recliner, not the man but if the shoe fits!) I think I even slept a couple nights in it too! And if you don’t have one, see if you can borrow one from a friend or family member! Also, interestingly, they have some decent priced recliners on Amazon that would fit the bill.
Comfy Night Gown/Sleep Shirt
Before my hysterectomy I would sleep in a tank top or t-shirt and sweats or shorts. When setting things aside and in a spot that I could easily direct my husband to grab me or quickly change on my own, I realized that sleepwear would probably not be cutting it!
Why? You are not going to want anything putting pressure on your waist or having to pull up and down more than you have too. You need to make sure you have comfy underwear that are looser than normal. I did not have any bleeding after I left the hospital but some women do experience spotting and bleeding. Although I did make sure I had some pads (I already had them in a cupboard but it had been quite sometime since I had to use them) sitting next to a pile of clean, comfy underwear that I didn’t care too much about.
I think I may have even ended up ditching my underwear after a few days of not experiencing any bleeding or spotting. Also, I took the time to invest in some comfy, loose, mid length night shirts/ gowns. I was so glad I did too! Made it easier when I went to the bathroom, got up for any reason, and was laying in bed. No added pressure and it covered the important parts!
A Journal and Pen
This will depend on the kind of person you are but I suggest throwing a small journal in your basket. If you are taking pain meds, it will give you a place to keep track of when you take them and stay on schedule. It will also be helpful to write down any questions or concerns that may come up to ask your doctor or nurse.
I barely remember much from the first week at home and to be honest, even the second week is a little hazy. It is hard to remember things when you are recovering from such an intense surgery and it helps to write things down. You and your body are also going to be going through some major changes and adjustments. It’s not just hard physically but also mentally and emotionally. It might be helpful to have the opportunity to journal how you are feeling.
I think it is also good to write down things that you are experiencing. For example, if you are spotting it would be good to keep track of how long it goes on and any physical changes you aren’t sure about. Maybe you just need a place to keep track of the books you read and shows you binge watch.
Being Prepared Helps Ease Your Post Hysterectomy Stress
So there you have it! I hope this hysterectomy recovery kit list is helpful and comes in handy while you prepare for your hysterectomy.
I know I was insanely nervous and stressed leading up to my surgery date. There are many reasons why a woman has a hysterectomy and it is not the same for everyone. Some reasons are simple and some are more complicated. For some it is a relief and for others it can be unwanted but necessary. And just like the reason (or reasons) leading one to that surgery day, the feelings that accompany it can be different for each of us too. I was very worried I would feel like “less of a woman” or that part of me was missing after the surgery. But for me, I have not felt that way at all. I put myself into the mentality that I was having parts removed that were causing me unnecessary, intense pain and their purpose was done.
It was so relieving as the weeks went on and my body healed. I felt lighter and like a new woman. It helped that I talked about it a lot with my husband and my mom. I also had a few close friends that were very supportive. I found that just being very open and bringing up my surgery helped other women (even women I was just conversing with in passing) open up and talk to me about their experience.
My Best Advice For You Post Hysterecomy
I urge you to talk about it! Ask the women around you questions and share with them! I found it very helpful to join a Facebook group for women who were getting ready to have or had already had a hysterectomy. If you do, just read it all with a grain of salt! Remind yourself that not everyone has the same experience. Do what you need to do to feel comfortable going into your surgery day. And, don’t be afraid or too proud to ask for help at anytime of your recovery. Let friends and family drop you food and help take care of you!
As a SAHM, I was so excited to not do laundry, house chores, or be cooking dinner for those first few weeks after surgery!! I may have written a bunch of lists and taped them up all over the house for my husband and boys. At least I knew I did all I could to help them survive while I was laid up:).
Hysterectomy Recovery Can Be Hard, Give Yourself Grace
If you are headed into a hysterectomy, I send so many healing vibes your way! Hopefully this list will help you feel more prepared and relaxed! Listen to your doctor and do not do too much too soon! Enjoy the little stay-cation and give yourself grace.
It really does affect your whole being and take a solid year to get back to your normal. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or call your doctor at any time if you are concerned about something you are feeling or experiencing. Load up your Netflix watch list, add those books you’ve been meaning to read, upload some new games on your phone, spoil yourself with some new jammies, and get that basket of goodies filled and ready! Take each day as it comes and just rest 🙂
If you want to read more hysterectomy posts and resources click here.
Thanks so much and talk to you soon!
Sarah ~ Wife at Midlife