In the latest of our new series of blogs sharing hints and tips from members, we asked members of the Online Community, "What do you wish you had known before you had surgery?"
Members shared personal experiences alongside the questions they asked, practical tips and some reassuring messages. This blog features conversations about a range of different surgeries that may be relevant to you. There is also some general advice to help you prepare for surgery and appointments. Click on the blog headings to help you navigate the different sections in the blog.
It’s natural to feel a range of emotions when you are told you need surgery. You may also be looking for information and have lots of questions. The Online Community and the Macmillan Support Line teams are here to help.
If you want to talk through your clinical questions with the Nurses here at Macmillan, you’re very welcome to. Whilst the Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line can’t access personal medical records, they’ll be able to answer clinical questions about a cancer and provide trusted information.
You can speak to the Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line every day from 8am to 8pm. To get in touch you can call 0808 808 00 00, send an email or start a live webchat during the opening hours. Even if you need a listening ear, the Cancer Support Advisors can offer emotional support.
“I didn't realise what a long wait there may be on the day of surgery. A 7am arrival time may mean a wait all day. This might then mean a late arrival on a ward post-surgery followed by a sleepless night if there is a lot going on with patients nearby. If you're being discharged the next day you can be exhausted. The best hints and tips come from people who have had a similar surgery, don't just rely on the hospital leaflet. It's tempting to discount some advice and think "oh I won't need that" only to find those in the know were quite right! They were so right about big pants! I never wear dresses but a friend said 'you are going to have to have a dress without fastenings and slip on shoes'. So glad I did as that was all I wore for quite a while afterwards.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery? ’ discussion
“Be prepared for coming home and your recuperation as much as you can. Best case scenario you don't need any of it but if you are feeling rough it's really helpful to have things ready.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery? ’ discussion
“What do I wish I had known before surgery?
Best bit of advice - don't worry and trust the staff, they are all there for you.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery? ’ discussion
Experiences of different types of cancer surgery
“I had a radical robotic hysterectomy on the 9th Dec 2025. My attitude has been. If u can cut it out great cut it out, not everyone has that luxury. . . If you can call it that? But I was not warned enough about the pain i would be in after, or the lack of mobility or that I will need help on and off the toilet let's not even mention shower!”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery? ’ discussion
“It helped to think that although surgery is a major thing for a cancer patient, for the surgeons, it is something that they routinely do all the time.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery?’ discussion
“There was a lot of waiting around on the day of surgery, and I was admitted to a ward where there were just chairs. It was only after the surgery that I was taken to a room with a bed. I had very little pai,n which is something that I had worried about. To be honest, the anticoagulant injections that I had to do daily into my tummy were far more painful than the surgery. I did not realise the extent of bruising I would have.
A list of things to take to the hospital would have been helpful. Loose comfy clothes, slip-on shoes/slippers that you don't need to bend down for. Also, things to do while you wait around. I was also surprised at how soon I could do things. Although I had to be careful with any lifting or twisting movements, I was able to go for short walks and do most things at home. I did have some fatigue, but it was manageable.
The most stressful time for me was waiting for the post op pathology results to come back- for me, it took around 3 1/2 weeks, and that was with a lot of chasing. It is these results that are important as they determine whether or not further treatment is needed. Before they came back, you can be in a sort of limbo as to whether all the cancer has been removed and whether or not any follow-up treatment is needed.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery? ’ discussion
The Womb (uterus) Cancer Forum hosts lots of discussions about diagnosis and treatment. If you are looking to connect with others who have also had a hysterectomy, join and post in this forum today.
Read the ‘Best 3 things to pack in your hospital bag for your hysterectomy!’ discussion thread
For more information about a hysterectomy, see Macmillan’s Information page.
“It was the one and only time I have had surgery, so all new to me. A TURP operation to reduce the size of my prostate) a blood group match the day before. The anaesthetist was the first to visit me on the ward, and as I am a type 2 diabetic, I was first on the list. She gave me the choice of knocking me out or a spinal injection so I would be awake during the surgery - I took the latter - well, you don't want to miss anything, do you!! The surgeon was next. He asked me what I was there for, and I told him what I was in for, why I needed it and how he was going to do it (you don't need to know this part). He went away happy. I did ask him how many times he had done this surgery, and his reply of 100's of times was encouraging.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery? ’ discussion
The Prostate Cancer Forum hosts lots of discussions about diagnosis and treatment. If you are looking to connect with others who have also had TURP surgery, join and post in this forum today.
For more information about Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) , see Macmillan’s Information page
“I wish I’d known how badly affected my eating would be after surgery. I ended up having three surgeries. Firstly, a tracheostomy at the end of May, having been rushed to the hospital with breathing issues. Secondly, a laryngectomy in June. Thirdly, a salivary bypass tube in early July after my Laryngectomy surgery sprang a leak. It is probable that my mouth was sewn up more than necessary due to the concern with the leak.
Food and drink were amongst my greatest passions so it’s very frustrating that I’m restricted. Having said that, I’m alive, cancer free, and my fitness is as good as it’s been for several years.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery? ’ discussion
The Head and Neck Cancer Forum hosts lots of discussions about diagnosis and treatment. If you are looking to connect with others who have also had a tracheostomy and laryngectomy surgery, join and post in this forum today.
For more information about tracheostomy and laryngectomy, see Macmillan’s Information pages:
“It’s the little things, 4 hours of surgery left me with a sore swollen throat so stocking up on softer food and ice cream at home would have helped. I had thyroid surgery and didn’t realise it would be difficult to pull clothes over my head afterwards- soft clothes and button through tops work better. I need to sleep in a more upright position for a while so having the right pillows at home also helps.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery? ’ discussion
The Thyroid Cancer Forum hosts lots of discussions about diagnosis and treatment. If you are looking to connect with others who have also had thyroid surgery, join and post in this forum today.
For more information about tracheostomy and laryngectomy, see Macmillan’s Information pages:
“I had a cystoscopy on the 19 June found 3 tumours on the left side of bladder had them removed on the 14th July got the results back they were grade 3 to high but something was bothering the surgeon and asked me to come to have another cystoscopy under general anaesthetic and found all the tumour had not been removed so had that removed then 4 weeks later started the induction finished in October had a CT scan November pre op should of had surgery on the 17th November gets back home gets a text to say operation is cancelled due to the doctors strike then gets a call to say operation on the 1st December they found a new tumour said it was small and took 2 biopsy just waiting for the test results every time I’ve had an op I ncCever stayed overnight usually 2 hours tops then i get ready to come home which I prefer.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery?’ discussion
If you are looking to connect with others who have also had cystoscopy surgery, you may find these recent discussions helpful:
Here are some recent discussions:
For more information about cystoscopy surgery, see Macmillan’s Information pages:
“I had a robotic laparoscopic anterior resection in November, the surgery was 6 hours long, I had a spinal block and general anaesthetic. The first 24 hours after surgery were relatively pain-free with the spinal block still being effective and IV morphine. 48 hours later, the physios got me walking down the ward. Days 2 & 3 are probably the worst in terms of lower stomach pains, thereafter each day got gradually better. Day 4, I was passing urine Ok, burping and passing wind, so I was allowed to go home. My biggest worry was that I hadn’t passed any solids, so I was apprehensive about this. Once at home, I had to really concentrate on eating and drinking the right things, having plenty of rest, but getting out of bed for a short walk each day. Day 6, I managed to pass my first stool with minimal discomfort. Since then, it has been trial and error reference what foods do and don’t agree with my new bowel configuration, so toilet visits have been intermittent. I have good and bad days ref pain management, but the progress is in an upward trend. Just waiting for my histology results to come back, so fingers crossed.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery?’ discussion
The Bowel (colon and rectal) Cancer Forum hosts lots of discussions about diagnosis and treatment. If you are looking to connect with others who have also had Laparoscopic anterior resection, join and post in this forum today.
For more information, see Macmillan’s Information pages:
“I had a chest wall perforator flap surgery to remove a small cancer from my breast a week ago, plus a few lymph nodes were removed. So far, so good. I was surprised by how well I felt. Not really any pain, just a bit of discomfort. A list of things to take to the hospital would have been good: disposable slippers, dressing gown, remove any jewellery, make up and nail varnish/gels. Post surgery front fastening bra (M&S one is good). Have a notebook and a pen to document self care instructions. Have a selection of front fastening comfy tops ready to wear on return, plus for coming home in. You will have a few things to do on your return home for self care.
I found it helpful to create a visual table (mon to sun)with the instructions/dose for all meds, with timings, etc. Plus physio exercise prompts, so I could tick off each as I did them. I deep cleaned the house before the op and moved any items I might need during the next few weeks that were higher up or in an awkward spot, within easy reach. Make sure you are stocked up with enough paracetamol and ibuprofen to take for 2 weeks after surgery. Also buy some sterile gauze packs (quite cheap from a pharmacy) to use to dab your wound dry after a shower, once dressing removed.
Have a wash and wear post op bra available, so you can change it daily. You are best to sleep in it for a while, and it was good to put fresh on every day. Shower tip, whilst dressings are on; keep your bra on from previous days' wear, tie a bin liner (I cut one side of it in half to increase the length) around your chest. This will help keep your dressings dry whilst showering bottom half, but retain support for your chest. I washed my other armpit (the one not operated on) via the sink. I also stocked up on baby wipes too, which I used to clean as close to the dressing as I dared. 1 week on, I am now wearing M&S post-surgery, back fastening bras. They are much better than the front ones. I am large chested, so I was missing the support of underwire. The M&S back fastened post surgery bra isn't as supportive as my trusty normal ones, but it's not far off. Very comfy and quite pretty.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery?’ discussion
The Breast Cancer Forums host lots of discussions about diagnosis and treatment. If you are looking to connect with others who have also had surgery for breast cancer, join and post in this forum today.
For more information, see Macmillan’s Information pages:
“I had a Basal cell carcinoma removed from my nose. It was done with a local anaesthetic, which wasn't pleasant. The doctor and nurse were great. After it was finished, they showed me what it looked like with the skin graph. I was given a leaflet about dos and don'ts from Saturday through to Tuesday. I kept sneezing and had a runny nose. The one thing that was not covered was how to blow your nose when you have a pressure dressing and a sticking plaster on your nose. The dressing was removed yesterday, Christmas Eve, and I'm finding it difficult to cope with how it looks.”
Community member, ‘What do you wish you had known before you had surgery?’ discussion
The Skin Cancer Forum hosts discussions about diagnosis and treatment. If you are looking to connect with others who have also had surgery for skin cancer, join and post in this forum today.
For more information, see Macmillan’s Information pages:
Thank you to everyone who took part in the ‘What do you wish you had known before surgery’ discussion in the cancer chat forum. You can read the whole discussion by clicking here. We hope the tips shared above can be useful if you are having cancer surgery. If you need any help finding support on the site, use the comment box below or email community@macmillan.org.uk.
