Hi Dee
Sorry you are also having to go through this - what us women have to go through eh?!
pre-surgery
1. I would say before surgery keep yourself physically active and busy. I walked a lot as I am not a fan of the gym but generally build up your physical health.
2. I also drank raspberry leaf tea as I read it helps tone uterine walls. Stopped taking it a week before surgery and will resume it 3-4 weeks post surgery.
3. I also too a multi bit and ate healthy in the run up to my surgery.
4. Have frozen ready meals ready for when you come home after being discharged. You won't be able to stand for long cooking meals so have some prepared that you can just heat up. Lots of soups too.
5. Avoid getting constipated before surgery.
Post surgery;
As soon as I came around from
The anaesthetic all I remember is a nurse's voice asking me if I wanted a hot cloth to soothe me, I said yes jald asleep and remember feeling this lovely warm wet cloth being draped
Over my incision and honestly it bought such instant relief. She gave me this thrice in a space of a few minutes. If you get this option, take it!
I was on morphine but was taken off it after a day. I wasn't happy they took me off it because thier argument was I had hardly used it. Where as I felt they had hardly given me the time
To use it! Anyway, that first night of being off morphine i was in pain and was given tramadol. I reacted badly to it and really suffered so my suggestion would be is to stick
To painkillers that you know are ok with you. I'd never taken tramadol before so it was a bad decision for me. Anyway: drink a lot of water . as much as you can whilst you have a Catheter.
Day 2: I was given a towel bath and made to sit in a chair. I'm
Not going to lie but it was painful. However stay on top Of your pain meds. You will fine.
For me, the first 5 days were difficult but the pain was controlled where the incision was. It was the pain in my lower back that was a nuisance to me. I guess that was because I found sitting in a recliner was better than lying flat. So pressure was felt
More in my back.
I started my period on day 3 (was expecting it) you may bleed anyway from the surgery and that's normal so maybe given a sanitary pad to wear. All I can say is take your own! The one hospital have me was long
And thick and just felt like a brick between my legs so I had no comfort!!
Use a pillow or comfort cushion to press against your abdomen for when you cough laugh or sneeze. I have to admit. I didn't realise how painful it can be if you cough sneeze or laugh but the cushion helps
Tremendously. I am on day 14 post op and still use it albeit much less.
You will need it for the ride home.
Make sure you ask for help when you get home. I was lucky my mother has been looking after me, but have some ready made Meals frozen and ready for when you get home.
My diet consisted of soups, broths and steamed veggies, things easy on the stomach. I avoided dairy foods smd drank juices at room temperature. That was my personal choice as dairy foods sometimes aggravate my chest and can cause coughing which I wanted to avoid at all cost!
I needed help dressing and bathing but by day 7 I felt as though my body was clicking into place and had more energy. I am 14 days post surgery and feel so much better already.
Take your time in recovery, don't over do it - I pulled a muscle already trying to get ahead of myself so would
Say after surgery eat well, rest plenty, try to walk a little everyday.
I wish I had seen this leaflet before the surgery. It tells you how to help yourself after surgery: https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/Myomectomy_NBT002026.pdf
Hope it all goes well for you Dee. Do ask any questions, everyone has different experiences but I think my recovery has been really good so far
sitara
Xxx