Advice

Hi Robbo64.  Has the hospital given you a list of do-and-donts for recovering after the operation? e.g. not lifting, not driving, etc?  If not perhaps you could phone your CNS for advice on that.  My tips are, get your home ready now for you to take it easy while you recover.  So get the shopping in, arrange the furniture conveniently e.g. a chair to rest on in the kitchen, get your hoovering done, put things handy so you can reach them easily.  I got my heavy coat out of the wardrobe and hung it on a rail in the hall so I didn't have to stretch to reach for it.  Think about what you will need help with (housework, washing large items, carrying shopping bags...) and see what family and friends can help with that.  My surgery was over 2 years ago now - and I'm fine - so I can't recall much detail about the stay in hospital but I am sure others will be along to add their thoughts.  Wear soft stretchy clothes and get some bigger knickers as you will have a swollen tummy for a while.  Slip-on shoes will save you having to bend down to tie laces. ummm can't think of much else at the moment but I am sure some others will add their advice.  Wishing you lots of luck.

Ah and if you have to wear the elastic stockings afterwards (I wore them for 4 weeks) they are quite thick so skinny jeans or tight boots will be off the menu while you wear them.  I was given 2 pairs so one pair was washed and hung up to dry while the others were on me. I had to do anti-thrombosis injections for a few days too but don't be intimidated as they are not difficult and even if you don't like needles it just takes a moment.

Thank you so much for reply so helpful haven't had alot to go go on just the pre assessment fasting dos and don'ts all been so quick 

Hi Robbo

good luck with the op

make sure to take the stool softener sachets (I was given Movicon) even if you’re eating well and feel you don’t need them. Chances are you will because pain relief you are given often causes constipation.

i didn’t heed the advice and ended up constipated which added to my post op pain. Wind will also be a nuisance due to the air they use to expand your stomach during surgery. 

Take it easy afterwards you may not look like much has been done but you’ll have had serious surgery.

best wishes to you for a speedy recovery xxx

Hi Robbo64, I  hope everything goes well with your op. All of the ladies here have driven you really good advice. I had my hysterectomy  by keyhole  back in August  and recoverd well, thought during the first week  post surgery I was surprised  to feel really well one day and not so good the next, I  guess it's  just the body settling  down again after all the trauma. I  had to have injections in my stomach for two weeks and wear the stockings too. Take care.

Hi Caroline 

I am so glad you mentioned being up and down as I am experiencing that now and was beginning to worry about it.

I'm a week past surgery and felt great yesterday and the day before but absolutely rubbish today. I’ve had to cancel a much needed hair dresser appointment and gone back to bed!

so reassuring to know this is normal 

thank you xxx

We weren't give anything for our bowels. Nor compression stockings. Just the heparin shots. No other advice. I think the staff assumed you would get that from the cancer nurses although on our ward, she just popped in said hello and left. It was only afterwards at follow up that macmillan nurse gave me a diet leaflet and another for best sitting position on the toilet. But it was generally assumed it would take a few weeks for bowels to return to normal.

Many ladies here recommend big pants for immediate post op when your tummy is swollen. Afterwards when it is getting back to normal I found Tesco Brazilian briefs very comfortable for avoiding lapa scars. If you wear a soft cotton tee tucked in to them and then.layer on top, I much preferred that to big pants. Just my oersonal preference. 

My worst recovery week was 3rd week after op when broken or disrupted nerves seemed to start waking up. Now in 4th week it is getting much easier but today is first day without pain killers. Bowels still recovering. 

Hi Nightingale 

sorry you didn’t get much TLC by the sounds of it. I guess I was lucky with the nursing staff I encountered. It seems I had it all including several pairs of support stockings and lots of advice as well as two visits from CSN and a follow up phone call to check on me at home. I was even shown how to self inject the anti DVT drug so as to cause the least bruising.

i was treated at the Women’s Hospital in Liverpool and cannot fault it. I realise there is a point where you have to get up and get on with it yourself but not right away like you were and I’m sorry to hear how it was for you. I hope you got better care at home xxxx

Hello

i came off morphine on day two in hospital as it was making me sick so was given codiene. Little did I know it would cause me chronic constipation and I have only managed the loo today 8 days after the op with the help of a quick acting liquid from the chemist. I’m not taking any pain relief and actually feel better without it but of course everyone is different x