Surgery Preparation
**Disclaimer: I am by no means a medical professional. Any items within this blog, please confirm with you doctor or medical provider. If you are having an emergency, please call 911.**
Preparing for a planned surgery is very similar to running a marathon. There are a ton of things you can do that can make the entire process more difficult or easier for you. In my experience, I searched high and low to find the things that helped more with my recovery journey. I will admit, I bought a TON of items, but I used all of them! I think I had a pretty good list of items, and wanted to share with those who may need help with preparation.
Myomectomy Home Recovery Checklist
1. Make sure all employment items are in order – When you are recovering, the last thing you want to worry about is work. Given this, make sure that if there is paperwork you need to have filled out that you do this prior to going into surgery. Also make sure you let you’re supervisors know well in advance so that they have time to make accomodations. You will need time to recovery, so keep that in mind.
2. Call your insurance provider – It’s important you know what is covered in regards to your surgery. Make sure you understand what you out of pocket cost are going to be, so that medical bills don’t hit you like a ton a bricks.
3. List of Helpful items (and why they are helpful)
a. Bed Wedge Pillow – This is a pillow that literally props you up. The truth is after you myomectomy, you will have a very hard time laying flat. I slept with this item for the first 3 weeks of my recovery. It’s really important that you get an adequate amount of rest, so making sure that you have this pillow I feel is critical. It was definitely a game changer for me.
b. 2 Cold Packs – The reason I say two cold packs is because if one melts you have the other one ready to go! These are helpful for when you first get out of the hospital for minor aches and pains.
c. Pluggable Heating Pad – This honestly was my best friend. From laying down for the majority of the day, and when the gas pains hit, this can help soothe the pain. It also can help with backaches as well.
d. Walker—If you are one of those people that won’t have much help your second week after surgery, a walker could be useful. I used it to help me get out of bed, not necessarily for walking.
e. Gas medication – This was SUPER important. I can’t tell you how painful it is to eliminate gas after your surgery. Make sure you have a box of these handy for when you get home
f. Stool Softeners – since your abs have been put through a lot, you will need stool softeners to help pass bowels. Of course ask your doctor about this before taking any medication
g. A Low Maintenance Hairstyle – You are going to be in bed for a little while, so make sure you have a protective style or a low maintance hair style that you can maintain.
h. Lay out your clothes for the next two weeks – The last thing you are going to want to do is find clothes to wear when you are sore and cranky. Prior to surgery, make sure you lay out all the clothes you will need to wear (including underwear and socks), so that you don’t have to look for anything. Caftans are a great outfit choice! They are loose and lightweight and kind of cute.
i. Underwear without bands – Make sure you get comfortable underwear that will not irritate your incision. There are ones online, but the ones for the hospital are the absolute best. Be sure to ask for some extras before you get discharged
j. Binder Garment- This helps when you go on your walks to stand up straight. Because of your incision sometimes it makes you walk a little funny. The binder garment helps with you posture after the surgery
k. A firm pillow – You are going to need this after your surgery. A firm pillow is your best friend for when you need to use the restroom, cough, sneeze, and sometimes talk
l. CBD Oil – It’s legal in some states, but this really helped with the anxiety and pain management. If you get the edible kind you can put it in foods and soups
m. Pack a bag for the hospital – Make sure that you take an overnight bag with you to the hospital
n. Cue Up the Streaming Services – Look up TV you want to watch, trust me you will have time
o. Make a Schedule for Care – Talk to your friends and love ones to make sure you have a schedule for your care. This will help with the recovery process. You need to allow other people to do things for you. My first two weeks, I was lucky to not have to do much. If you can’t have someone stay with you, having someone around who can cook you food and take out the trash is also helpful.
Surgery is a big deal, but it’s not anything you cannot conquer!! Trust your body, quiet your mind, and think about how great it will feel to not have these aliens inside of you.