I will be having surgery in 11 days! And I'm wondering what you would have done differently during your recovery period? I live alone and I'm wondering what should be prepped in advanced, near your bed, or what didn't you expect when you got home? I'm know it's not going to be all rosy, but looking back, what would you have done differently to make that recovery time simpler, more relaxing - I don't even know what word I'm looking for - but I want my recovery period to be as stress free as possible.

Thanks for any input!

Get a body pillow if you're a side sleeper. It was a life saver in the early days. If you have a sonic near by grab a bag of ice. It is great for munching on.

I also made too much Jello, got too much pudding and yogurt.

How would you use the body pillow? And I'm going to stock up on ice! Hadn't thought about that!! Good for swelling. Thanks!

If you're a side sleeper it helps support your stomach. Without it I found there was too much strain. You don't need any extra pain

I would not stockpile.... You will be able to get back to what you used to do after a week, ( it took me two days) you can go to the store and get what you need...

dont stockpile because you might not like something and you will be stuck with it...

Life will be normal

Thank you! Love your last sentence. Made me smile, guess I needed to hear that.

I am having a hard time getting off the bed or recliner because I get a shooting pain whenever I do. What helped for me was putting one of my kitchen chairs next to me and using that to pull myself up a certain way to minimize the pain.

Make sure you have a heating pad and ice packs for your stomach. Also, I've had extreme nausea so make sure you have medicine on hand just in case.

Make sure you have a heating pad and ice packs for your stomach. Also, I've had extreme nausea so make sure you have medicine on hand just in case.

Thank you for the advice! I don't know, but didn't the heating pad hurt your incisions? And I just remembered I need to check my ice pack situation! Thanks!

Make sure you have a heating pad and ice packs for your stomach. Also, I've had extreme nausea so make sure you have medicine on hand just in case.

Thank you for the advice! I don't know, but didn't the heating pad hurt your incisions? And I just remembered I need to check my ice pack situation! Thanks!

I used my heating pad for my shoulder/gas pain and because I was freezing!

Oh bring a pillow for the drive home. It helps to press it against your tummy for any bumps in the road

Make sure you have a heating pad and ice packs for your stomach. Also, I've had extreme nausea so make sure you have medicine on hand just in case.

Thank you for the advice! I don't know, but didn't the heating pad hurt your incisions? And I just remembered I need to check my ice pack situation! Thanks!

I actually found the heating pad more enjoyable. I kept it on low and it helped the gas out for some reason. I wasn't told not to use is so I assumed it was okay. You could always ask your doctor! My incisions don't have much pain. The swollen and bloating is what seems to be painful. You'll see the one larger one, where my stomach seemed to be most swollen and painful (not particularly at the incision but around it as well), and five other small ones I haven't had much issue with.

Edited February 22, 201610 yr by amandastearns

I was really fortunate and had very little pain or issues after surgery. I was so ready to get out of that hospital I practically sprinted from my room to my friends car. I also live alone and was worried about getting around but it was needless worry. I was driving within two days and walking around the house with no problem as soon as I got home. I did have pain at the large incision site which is the side I sleep on. They gave me liquid hydrocodone and I took that at night for the pain. Only needed for two nights. I also have a huge supply of soup and canned fruit still on hand from the early weeks, so don't over buy to get ready.

My girlfriend gave me a throw as a housewarming gift that was so soft. It helped comfort me and keep me calm. I didn't think of it and was pleasantly surprised that it did the trick! I was cold for so long and I didn't want a bunch of blankets on me so this was perfect!!

I had the worst time with salty things. Everything tasted salty and I didn't want to go near it, like soup.

I had very little pain post-op.

I had it in my head that I would be eating pureed foods for a long, long time. I really never pureed anything. So, one of the two blenders I bought, went to my daughter. I kept the smaller one for Protein shakes, but rarely use it. It is easier to just use a shaker bottle.

sugar-free popsicles...I still go through at least a box each week.

Indeed sugar free popsicles. They are great to help get in your fluids and taste yummy.

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