Pre-op Hysto List
I really benefited from the supply lists here before my surgery. This is what worked for me. I'm 4 mo p/o and have already sent it to a few friends and it got rave reviews.
Pre-op List X=I got this but didn’t use it
*=These things were in the bag I took to the hospital
Post surgery snack* (something high protein) Cottage cheese/full fat yogurt was my go to because dry things tasted bad because I was so dried out from being intubated during surgery.
Puppy pads for couch X (there was very little p/o bleeding)
Favorite pads*
High waisted underwear (elastic waist bands pressing on your incisions is no bueno)*
Caboo flushable wipes
Heating pad
Cherry juice
Prune juice (I mixed a glass of prune and cherry juice together daily for the first week)
Miralax X
Comfy pants with wide stretchy waist band* (multiple pairs for at least 4-8weeks)
Large comfy tshirt/hoodie*
House dress X
Peri bottle X
Hysterectomy pillow*
Hard candies*
Extendo grabber X
Gas-x X (but should have used it)
Peppermint oil and cotton balls* (In case you feel nauseous after surgery, ginger candies also help)
Tucks X
docusate sodium
sennosides
Water bottle*
Large covered water cup with a straw for keeping with you
Ibuprofen
Tylenol
Gatorade or other electrolyte drinks
Large body pillow for sleeping in bed
Tips Start your pre-op instructions the night before early. Don’t be like me and stay up late finishing them.
Start hydrating a few days before surgery and stay super hydrated for at least the first few weeks. This helps things keep moving
Start going for short walks the first day home. Even if it’s just on the sidewalk from one side of the house to the other. This also helps keep things moving.
For me the gas pain in my shoulder from the CO2 for surgery was the worst. The heating pad on my shoulder really helped, especially at night.
Set a timer for your pain meds so that you don’t have any break through pain for the first 3-4 days.
Even if this means waking up super early in the morning or late at night.
Keep your hysterectomy pillow on you or nearby in case you need to cough or sneeze, it helps to hold it close to your body when that happens.
You will need the hysterectomy pillow to go home, because the seatbelt pressing on your belly is terrible and bumps in the road will feel terrible for at least the first 2 weeks.
Make a list of shows to watch ahead of time so you don’t need to think.
Do a big shop for your favorite comfort snacks and meals. Make sure you are eating a big protein snack at least twice a day.
Have a big protein snack before going to sleep. If you wake up in the night/early morning and can’t go back to sleep, get up and have a high protein snack. Your body is rebuilding itself and protein helps it keep working. Protein facilitates healing!
The night before I made a big pot of veggie, bean and ground beef soup to eat for the first night. (Protein. See the theme?)
Things will taste weird for the first few days because your mouth and throat will be dried out.
Just keep hydrating and prioritizing wet foods like soup/stew.
Have someone make a Meal Train for you and have your friends bring you meals every other day for the first 2 weeks. I almost didn’t do this but it was a life saver. You will have lots of leftovers.
Commit to spending the first 2 weeks on the couch. Then start with having one task a day for the next week. You will be extremely tired, so go back to the couch/bed frequently.
You will need an afternoon nap/chill out period for at least the first 5 weeks.