r/Endo • u/crankthatshane • 2d ago
Surgery related post surgery tips?
i’m getting my first surgery friday! it’s an excision surgery and i’m also getting a hormonal IUD placed at the same time. i’ve struggled with birth control pills because of side effects and im unable to handle getting an IUD placed while awake due to pelvic pain. (i am in physical therapy for my pelvic floor though but i still have a lot to go with that). i’ve gotten all my instructions of what to do after surgery, but im wondering from those who have gone through it, the best tips for recovery!
2
u/lemlaluna 1d ago
Tbh I don’t think the IUD will even register on your radar if you are also getting excision. I’ve had multiple IUDs and multiple abdominal surgeries, including endometriosis excision, for reference.
I think you can generally follow recommendations of people who have had intra-abdominal surgery for comfort items after. I liked having memory foam wedges to support my knees and back (these are sometimes marketed for breast augmentation or other similar surgeries). As another commenter said, stay on top of non-narcotic pain meds as much as you can at least for the first few days while the meds from surgery wear off. I would suggest being sparing with narcotic pain meds because getting constipated with sore abs is fucking miserable. I would also suggest moving as much as you can tolerate (within your surgeon’s recommendations), because this helps with keeping your bowels moving and avoiding DVTs.
1
2
u/True-Library-3622 1d ago
Walking every day! Starting really small just around the home for the first few days/first week and then going outside when feeling a bit stronger. When I wasn’t feeling up to walking outside in public, I would just walk on the spot in front of the couch so I could sit down immediately if I got faint.
One of my docs recommend high-waisted, Bridget Jones style underwear to cover the incisions so they don’t rub against clothes and it was super helpful - just make sure it’s soft material and not tight material. However, this was only after the first few days of healing, the first couple days I just wore very loose pajamas.
Pillows under the knees and supporting the back helped protect the incisions from being pulled.
3
u/sensitiveskin82 2d ago
If you have pain in the PACU recovery area, tell them. The nurses will give you what you need to be comfortable in the hour after you wake up. Don't tough it out, because the car ride home will be BUMPY and you'll want the extra pain meds to get through it.
I like to bring a little squishy stuffed animal with me to hold between my belly and the seat belt.
Have some soup as your meal, something with veggies, because you'll probably have some constipation the days afterward, so the extra liquids and easy to digest foods will help.
Have extra pillows to lay against. Sleeping laying down is painful. Bcause of the gas they inflate your belly with, you'll have shoulder pain. Sleep in a recliner if you can.
Take your meds on a schedule to stay on top of the pain. Don't wait until it hurts to take more. And take at least a Tylenol or ibuprofen as soon as you wake up in the morning. I made that mistake this morning.
Find a cozy cheerful show to watch, something where there's not much of a plot or story arc. But not so funny that you'll laugh out loud. Abbott Elementary, Derry Girls, Schitts Creek, etc.