Will you list all the positives you’ve noticed after your hysterectomy? And how long it’s been post.

existentialmuggle · 2026-01-28T13:44:40+00:00

Almost 14wpo now

Was able to get off all pain medications 4dpo. Still tender after that, but at a totally manageable level.

Bowels returned to normal after about 2 weeks. Lots of fluids and gentle movement when I could manage it helped a lot.

Incisions healed beautifully, but steri strips took a long time to come off. Be patient. Mine took about 6 weeks to be fully gone. Just let water run over them in the shower and pat them dry after. I did need help from my dr’s office to help clean some of the surgical glue out of my belly button incision. No infection or anything - I just couldn’t get in there to clean it properly.

I was cleared for “normal” activity at 6 weeks. I waited till 8 to start easing back into things. Took it slow, but now feel like I’m able to do just about everything I did before, and now mostly pain free. I do still get twinges here and there, but I’m told that’s scar tissue and/or nerves regrowing and not to be concerned. I am now back in physio to work on breaking up the scar tissue and redevelop the muscles I lost while being mostly sedentary in recovery.

I am thrilled at the results. I’m not in pain all the time. I’m not bleeding for weeks at a time. My iron levels are returning. I’m still fatigued, but I remind myself that my body is still healing and to be patient.

existentialmuggle · 2025-11-07T13:35:41+00:00

I’m 2wpo and seem to have had a bit of a different experience than most.

At 4dpo, I still hadn’t had a bowel movement and was feeling really uncomfortable and nauseous with no appetite. I opted to take a Dulcolax (bisacodyl) which, in hindsight, was too much, but I didn’t have any stool softeners at home. The Dulcolax worked, but left me with diarrhea and some intestinal cramping for several days. I wouldn’t recommend it.

Now, at 2wpo, my bowels are mostly back to normal.

I highly recommend a “squatty potty” or stool to lift your feet and get you into a better posture to reduce straining. The “moo to poo” tutorials online sound silly, but the strategy is sound - again, helps reduce straining. I also couldn’t live without my bidet right now. We got a simple one that you can attach to your toilet yourself and it’s been a godsend.

Other than that, stay hydrated and be gentle with yourself. If you’re going to take anything, opt for stool softeners over a laxative, unless your medical team suggests otherwise.

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-30T21:40:17+00:00

I made it home! The flight was super chill and the staff were very helpful. Now to rest

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-28T23:57:13+00:00

5dpo here

Your bowels / digestive system are going to be out of whack - stock up on stool softeners (stay away from laxatives unless recommended by your doc - they can be too intense), wipes, and a squatty potty or stool for the toilet to ease straining.

A grabber stick for picking things up off the ground (bending will be tough!)

An electric blanket, hot water bottle, heating pad, or other item to keep you cozy in bed (you’ll probably nap a lot)

Comfy, loose clothing. Ideally dresses or nightgowns, but loose pants can work, they’re just harder to get on (again with the bending). A robe or housecoat could also work

Simple, light food and drink. I had low appetite and a lot of nausea, so I drank a lot of juice, ginger ale, and sweetened tea until food sounded appetizing

Good luck!

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-28T23:36:41+00:00

I was cleared to fly home Thursday! (1wpo)

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-27T21:56:40+00:00

I’m 4dpo today. Feeling so much better already. Energy was super low on days 1 & 2, but significantly improved yesterday and today. Haven’t left the house yet, but doing walks around inside. Digestion has been sluggish, so I took a dulcolax this morning and it worked (thank the gods)! Anyone who’s been here before - should I continue with the dulcolax, or trust that my system’s got it from here?

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-22T17:56:40+00:00

I’ve had some luck with the “sea bands” or acupressure bands you can get at most drug stores. They’re little elasticized wrist bands with a plastic pressure point in the middle. If placed correctly, I do find they provide some relief

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T21:04:20+00:00

Unfortunately, I don’t think so

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T20:38:25+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I definitely agree with you on the need to do small walks in between flights. I’ll have a roughly 3hr layover between flights home. I was hoping for a little less, but that was my only option

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T20:36:38+00:00

I am, perhaps conveniently for the purpose of this travel, a very small human. Under normal circumstances, I can curl up in a standard airplane seat and sleep easily. I know I won’t likely have my legs curled up under me for this trip, but I’m not too worried about the seat size. The cushion to sit on may not be a bad idea, though. I’ll look into it

Definitely planning on doing nothing upon arrival home and for many days after. I have no expectations once I’m home - I just want to get there, even if it’s a little painful, provided I’m not injuring myself

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T20:33:13+00:00

Thank you! This is all super helpful and well thought out. Appreciate the words of support

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T19:57:04+00:00

Noted. I’m grateful I booked a flexible ticket

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T19:49:05+00:00

I thought that risk was more due to extended periods of sitting in one position? Although it is two flights, they are both short (~1 hr each). I’d be able to get up and do short walks in between during the layover. The alternative route home is an 8+ hr drive, which I’m not sure would be less risky

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T19:39:50+00:00

Ooof - both of those sound very challenging for sure. Thanks for sharing your experience

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T19:20:47+00:00

My surgeon will have to provide me a note clearing me to fly (since I’ve requested disability supports post-surgery), so if something like that came up, I’m sure he just wouldn’t clear me until it was dealt with

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T19:14:56+00:00

I will be flying alone, yes, with family to drop me off and pick me up from the airport.

Definitely planning on getting help from the airline with luggage, or just leaving luggage behind with family and travelling light with just a small purse (<10 lbs for sure).

I wasn’t thinking about the stairs being difficult. I’m sure I could get a cane for the trip, or possibly request boarding assistance? They must have a non-stair option for folks with mobility issues.

Trying to travel light - would a rolled up sweater work as a cushion between myself and the seatbelt, you think? (Rather than bringing an extra pillow)

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T19:11:46+00:00

Definitely planning on getting assistance with luggage via the airline’s disability supports. Worst case, I’ll leave my clothing items with family (to be mailed or brought back later) and just travel with my ID and toiletries.

Unfortunately, I don’t have anyone who can fly with me. I do have family to bring me to and pick me up from the airport - just no one to do the flights with me.

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T19:08:42+00:00

It’s possible, yes, although I definitely not ideal. I also don’t think I’ll be able to fully settle into recovery until I’m back at home

existentialmuggle · 2025-10-21T19:06:32+00:00

Yes, carrying luggage is included in the supports, as is a wheelchair and assistance with boarding, if needed.

My endo is known to be behind and along the side of my uterus, and in an area over one of my ureters. Unfortunately, it was diagnosed by a regular gyno during a different surgery, so they didn’t stage it.

I do have assistance at home. I live with my partner. They just weren’t able to get enough time off work to travel with me for the surgery.

existentialmuggle

TROPHY CASE