If you’ll be having fibroid removal surgery such as myomectomy or hysterectomy (or any other major abdominal surgery), here are some suggested pre-op preparations:
- Stop taking Advil and other anti-inflammatories at least 2 weeks before the operation
- Donate your own blood a few weeks before the operation if your doctor thinks you are at risk for needing a blood transfusion, but only if your blood counts are good
- Avoid people with colds since your surgery will be canceled if you are sick
- Strengthen your leg, arm, and back muscles, as you will be relying on them post-op while you try to let your abdominals rest, heal, and recover; practice slow deep pliés (bending your legs at the knees, going down as low as you can while keeping your torso upright)
- Increasing your leg flexibility will help too
- Stock up on non-perishables you’ll need during your 6-week recovery period, since you won’t be able to do heavy lifting or driving
Foods to eat in your pre-op diet:
- Foods high in iron
- Daily multivitamin to make your blood counts are good
- In the last couple days before surgery, lighter foods and liquids
Finally, you may want to include these items on your pre-op shopping list to help with the recovery period:
- Fibroid books
- Relaxation aids
- OTC painkillers
- Stool softeners
- Anti-gas medicine
- Anti-nausea medicines
- Throat/cough drops or hard candy
- Lip balm
- Facial and body wipes
- Granny underwear, 1 or 2 sizes larger
- Daily multivitamins
- Scar cream
- Loose, larger clothing
- Slippers for the hospital
- Abdominal comfort aids (e.g. heating pad, cold belt)
- Light entertainment, e.g. magazines
- Tea
Foods to stock up on for your post-op diet:
- Liquids and soft foods while your bowels are trying to get back to normal (avoid those that give you a lot of gas):
- Tea, broth, juice, milk
- Cranberry juice to help with potential urinary tract infections from the Foley catheter
- Jello, sherbet, ice cream, yogurt
- Oatmeal, cream of wheat
- Soup
- Bananas, applesauce
- Eggs
- Peas, squash, pumpkin, yams
- Foods high in iron to help restore your blood counts
- A variety of high-nutrition foods to assist with the healing process
