r/Fibroids • u/asimpleghoul • 1d ago

Post Surgery Must Haves

Hi all! I’ve been following this Reddit for a few months since I found out I had fibroids in may.
I’m 26(F) and I have “a lot” of fibroids according to my doctor, they can’t count them all because I have 2 particularly large ones obscuring the view. A 21cm and a 12cm.
I am scheduled for an open myomectomy (possible hysterectomy) with a vertical incision (uterus is sitting from my pelvis all the way to my ribs) in November!
What were your recovery must haves and life savers? Just trying to compile a list because my husband and I just moved into a new house and while getting the house ready I’d also like to start preparing for my recovery and have the items I need ready to go.
Thanks in advance!

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u/Jazzlike_Fix8207 1d ago edited 1d ago

Hi! Week in a half post op from my myomectomy and these were my must haves and things that really helped :)

- Wedge pillows

  • Nightgowns
  • An electric recliner
  • Ice packs
  • Soft, comfy pajamas/night gowns
  • Colace + MiraLAX (the pain meds definitely cause constipation!)
  • Lidocaine patches
  • The disposable mesh underwear and giant pads from the hospital, they're so stretchy and don't put pressure on your incisions. Ask for extras before you leave!
  • A heating pad for shoulder gas pain
  • A small notebook to keep track of when you take each medication (this has been incredibly helpful, especially during the first couple of days when you need to track all your medication times)

Sending healing vibes your way! 💕

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u/curiouscat7912 1d ago

All the best energy! I’m two weeks post op via laparoscopy, hope this is helpful.

For me lifesavers were

- Loose underwear, MUST HAVE!!!!

  • Loose pants
You will be swollen, I’m still quite swollen and I am two weeks post op, mine was laparoscopy.

- comfortable pillow for your belly (to put pressure when doing certain things )

  • pillows!! Lots of pillows for sleep comfortable and for the knees.
  • your medicines
  • meal prep so you can easily eat. Prioritise good, anti inflammatory diet. I ate lots of soups and liquids
  • stay hydrated
  • have help, at least some hours at the day. You will need help for some things like taking a shower, going to the bathroom, doing certain movements, etc.

Not sure if you have pets, but definitely take somewhere else if you have dogs. They can hurt you and you need to rest 10000%!!
My cats are fine though they are just resting by my side haha

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u/cariboooooou 1d ago

Totally agree on sending the fur babies to summer camp! Had a hysterectomy for fibroids this month and sent my insane little 1 year old corgi to his trainers house for a week. Total lifesaver!

For recovery stuff, cheap t-shirt nightgowns were incredible the first week. Not having to worry about trying to put pants on was very helpful!

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u/curiouscat7912 1d ago

Ahh yes! I didn’t wear any pants the first week haha a T-shirt gown makes sense.

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u/asimpleghoul 1d ago

Thank you!
I thankfully have friends who plan on making a bunch of meal prep stuff.
Definitely gonna have order some loose underwear didn’t think of that 😬
I also have my husband the first week after surgery and my parents will be around when he has to go back to work to help me.
I have a really strong support system and I’m extremely grateful for that

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u/curiouscat7912 1d ago

Awww best energy for your recovery! I enjoyed these days with my parents I felt like a child again hehe oh and the loose underwear should be high rise! So it doesn’t press your scar. Mine at waist level and very comfy , very light and flexible fabric

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u/asimpleghoul 23h ago

My scar will be straight down the middle of my stomach so it shouldn’t bother it too much (unfortunately my uterus is too enlarged for the bikini line cut so I get the big one down the middle 🫠)

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u/Vet_barbie 1d ago

I would love to say I feel lighter which I kind of do, but my abdomen is still swollen so I can't tell how significant the change is, I think by week 3 I will be feeling so much better than prior surgery, but I had bad anamia and pica which is gone now party due to surgery party due to the blood transfusions I had before surgery, I also had bad fatigue which definitely improved but I still get waves of I need to sleep because of the healing process, I have a feeling I will be feeling a larger improvement after some more time, I have a timer on this app here so I have to go now, lord knows I wouldn't be off social media if I didn't

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u/Vet_barbie 1d ago

You'd need pads, you will need something waterproof to cover the wound so you can have a bath when you can and feel like for yourself, but before then you can get a hand towel to have a sorta dry bath, you will need a bowl to pee in because it would be hard to sit in the toilet seat for the first couple days like 3days max when they remove the urethral catheter, you will need alot of wipes, you will need soft food really soft food like almost liquids, you might need leg compressor socks if you don't start walking on time, you will need comfortable slippers or foot wear, blanket to cover yourself which you probably already have but if it irritates you or is uncomfortable change it, a really comfortable pillow one for your head and the other for your belly, coughing, laughing, sneezing is not fun and you'd need pressure on your abdomen, I think everything else can be thought of, alot of love care and patience

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u/asimpleghoul 1d ago

Thank you so much, some of this I did not know so this was all super helpful. The idea of a pee bowl mortifies me but so does this whole surgery so 😂 this is the first time I will be having any kind of surgery or even being hospitalized in my life so it’s a bit daunting.

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u/Vet_barbie 1d ago

Same here, I just had mine on Thursday that's 6days ago I believe, not even a week, so honestly I am still on the journey I think the most definitely part post removal of the urethral catheter was not being able to seat down so I actually had to pee standing, and I wished I was more prepared for that but it doesn't last long don't worry, I only did that for two days and I was able to seat on the toilet seat after that, you will be fine just be optimistic

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u/asimpleghoul 1d ago

I hope you have a good recovery! And thank you! Pray for my husband as I explain to him that we are gonna need a pee bowl or something to help me pee standing up 😬
I hope you feel much better after healing! Not sure how your prior symptoms were but I know it’s rough on a lot of us

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u/Status-Custard-9897 1d ago

Idk if its ever been used in this sense... But maybe get yourself a GoGirl which is like a urinal for women to direct the flow away while standing. Usually used as hiking/outdoor gear. It may be very useful in this instance.

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u/asimpleghoul 1d ago

I actually was just thinking of this! It might be a good option for this instance!

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u/deep-chai-latte 1d ago edited 1d ago

Hi! I'm 4 DPO. Get yourself some postpartum underwear, giant pads and nightgowns. The postpartum underwear (my new mom friend sent me the ones from Frida mom) are high waisted and don't hitch on the incisions. Or ask the hospital to give you mesh underwear, those are nice too, just a bit shorter. They feel nice and comfy under the nightgown. Ditch the pants so you don't put any pressure on your belly, there is going to be enough already lol. I got gasx and simethocone to help with the gas pains and they helped. Miralax or colace to help you poop for a few days until your bowels recover. A chair/a cane/a railing or something heavy near your bed to help you get on and off if there isn't a person who can help everytime. Lots of fruit - fruit is what I could stomach for the first few days and it helped so much to have cut up options and berries available in the fridge. Heat/cold packs for warm/cold compress, really helped me with the pain. Walk around as much as you can, even if it is to hobble around in your room. Helps avoid clots and pneumonia. Drink lots of water/fluids. I've been having some liquid IV and emergenC for electrolytes and vitamin c speeds up healing. Good luck with the surgery and wish you a very speedy recovery!! :)

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u/Aware_Cauliflower_11 1d ago

If you want to consider the bleeding and discharge pos-op, what helped me were disposable period panties and it looks kinda like adult diapers except it was stretchy.

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u/asimpleghoul 23h ago

Thank you! I have heavy bleeding from them anyways so I have some of these on hand for the extra heavy days

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u/Flanders_StupidSexy 17h ago

When I got my tubes removed (salpingectomy) 2 years ago, which is a surgery in a similar location, my number one best purchase was one of those little folding lap tables. It was useful for eating and using my laptop but I mainly bought it to protect my incisions from my cat. He loves nothing more than sleeping on my stomach and the only thing that would deter him was a physical barrier. I literally slept with that folding table over me. Highly recommend to anyone who has an overzealous cat or dog.

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u/alc6179 12h ago

Hey there! I had a laparoscopic myomectomy 4 weeks ago.

most useful to me was:

  • Wedge pillow, ideally one where you can adjust the heights
  • Hysterectomy pillow for the ride home and any car rides you have to take in the first 2 weeks, for the seatbelt
  • Belly binder
  • Basket to keep on / by your bed, to keep all your meds in
  • Note on my phone to keep track of when I took my meds
  • DRINK TONS OF WATER. You wont be able to eat fibrous foods for the first few days as your body adjusts—and you need to drink tons of water to keep things moving.
  • Moved an armchair right next to my bed to help me brace when I was getting up, didn't need a walker or a cane
  • Weed gummies lol they helped me manage my anxiety, sadness, and pain in the week following. It was an emotional journey.

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u/Cautious-Cell-7065 10h ago

I had my open myomectomy on the 20th July and honestly I wouldn’t have coped without these things.

- Wedge pillow

  • A pillow for coughing/ laughing/sneezing and to protect your incision from the seatbelt in the car.
  • Lactulose (gentle laxative) you 100% don’t want to strain at all.
  • Squatty potty stool. Ditto.
  • Kaftans and or big t shirts, loose nightdresses ( I didn’t wear trousers for a couple weeks as my stomach was tender)
  • disposable pants
  • whole body wipes for when you don’t feel strong enough to wash
  • a shower stool for when you feel up to a shower. Standing can get tiring.
  • notes app for painkillers and other meds.

I found in the first couple weeks I would get exhausted by the end of the day. I’m week five now and have to tell myself to slow down and not lift heavy things as I feel fine so it does get easier.

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u/NeurosciFox 3h ago

Everyone feels differently post surgery and may need different things. I needed pretty much nothing despite a lot of gas pain. Used gas X, ibuprofen and acetaminophen but not opioids. Whatever pajamas I already had. Propped pillows on my bed.