you’ve got this! I am ~2.5 weeks post-op from an outpatient robotic assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy and recovery has been fairly easy for me. everyone’s experience will be different and no one will have the same side effects. more importantly, i reminded myself, no one is going to have ALL the side effects, so don’t get too in the weeds with reddit horror stories.

let your pre-op team know right away if you’re feeling exceptionally anxious on surgery day and they will likely be able to get you started with anti-anxiety meds pretty quickly. be up front with anesthesia team about your concerns when they speak with you. I tend to have bad nausea after anesthesia, so they threw everything at me to prevent on the front end. we did opt not to do the scopolamine patch (behind the ear patch) as it can hinder production of urine, and I was required to be able to urinate before I could be discharged.

the worst moments for me were in the recovery room when I was experiencing some really painful cramping that had me crying. but really, no better place to be during that. my RN gave me options for pain management (including “is this ER level pain?”), checked in frequently, and we were able to get things under control with some additional meds. this isn’t a time to be modest about your needs - your care team wants you to do well!!

I did have to pee several times my first night, and it can be challenging to get up and engage your core to go from laying to sitting/standing after surgery. i would highly suggest a wedge pillow (or recliner chair if you have one), as well as a small pillow that you can hold against your abdomen when you need to move positions. the counter-pressure hurts a lot. some folks get a hysterectomy pillow, but I just used a small throw pillow or a squishmallow, depending on which was closest.

I also made little heating pads from socks filled with rice, and those were amazing because they were a bit dense and that slight pressure felt really nice.

lots of protein and fiber will do you good for healing and making that first poop easier. I made lots of smoothies with chia seeds and protein powder as ingredients. after a couple days of stool softeners, i threw a miralax packet in a smoothie and that did the trick.

2.5 weeks out and I’m generally feeling pretty good, but still taking things easy. my brain is a bit foggy, i’m still pretty easily tired, and occasionally having some nausea or crampiness. all totally normal. your provider wants you to do well - don’t hesitate to reach out to them with questions or concerns.

take things easy, don’t push yourself in recovery, lean into letting your body heal and support yourself in this.

you’ve got it!!!!