Recovering from abdominal surgery? These 10 practical recovery tips and essentials made my treatment easier, more comfortable, and less stressful.
I recently underwent robotic hernia repair surgery for an umbilical and incisional hernia, related to my last pregnancy and C-section a decade ago.
And the short version? It has been a long time coming.
I never had pain from my hernias, but they were always there… annoying and definitely not going away on their own. My doctor finally told me it was time to take care of them, and I’m so glad I did! It’s great to have it behind me, and on the mend.
Now, let’s be honest… surgery is never fun (this was my fifth 😅). But if you to do Having to go through that, having the right things in place can really make all the difference. And luckily this has been my smoothest recovery ever. (Until now…knock on wood!)
So today I’m sharing the things that helped me the most, hopefully they’ll make your recovery a little easier too.
If I could recommend just one thing for stomach surgery recovery, it would be this Adjustable bed!
I can’t tell you how helpful this has been. Sleeping at a different elevation each night made such a difference in comfort and, honestly, getting a good night’s rest. (What I wouldn’t have given to have this when I was having kids, but thanks for having it now!)
We have a split king, which means I can adjust my side while my husband sleeps flat. The best of both worlds!
I also used:
- A pillow behind my back
- Two pillows on either side for support
Once I could sleep on my side, I wedged myself between the pillows to keep everything supported and comfortable. (This is hands down My favorite sleeping pillows.)
If a new couch isn’t in the budget, Wedge mattresses is a great alternative and will still give you that elevated support.
We originally got our adjustable bed because I was waking up so many times in the night from my husband moving around… and I thought it would be an easy solution to help us both sleep better. Turns out, it’s also a perfect gift for recovery in this season of life!
2. Medisafe App
When I got home from the hospital, I was taking 4-5 medications at different times of the day… and there was no way I was going to keep it straight on my own.
Using a medication tracking app was a lifesaver.
It reminded me when to take everything and even flagged any potential interactions, which gave me great peace of mind.
Let’s just say anything with a tight waistband not Your friend after abdominal surgery.
I used to live here:
But I wanted to feel a little more “together” when I was standing. A few pairs Soft, stretchy pants It looked nice but felt like pajamas were perfect.
Bonus: I’ll be wearing them all summer long as easy swim cover-ups!
4. Abdominal Binder (Support Band)
Oh my God! This was a game changer.
The hospital sent me home with an abdominal binder, and I’ve been wearing it almost nonstop (except in the shower). It helps everything feel supported and just makes walking around more comfortable.
I started wearing a soft tank top under it to stop the irritation, which helped a lot. Looking back, i indeed I wish I had one of these after my previous surgeries!
Note: This is a definite stomach binder Got me from the hospital. And I love the down corners. It is very comfortable and easy to use. I bought one before my surgery, but I didn’t like the one the hospital gave me.
5. Ice packs
Simple, but very effective.
Whenever I felt swollen or tender, I used a large ice pack around my abdomen. It helps reduce inflammation and brings a lot of relief.
This is one of those things that is great to have on hand Before Surgery You will definitely use it! This ice pack My husband had one left over from his hip replacement surgery, but it was the perfect size to cover my entire stomach. It’s a great thing to have in your arsenal for any post-surgery help!
by the way, My big nightstand The lip around the edges was great when I piled all my essentials next to me in bed.
You don’t realize how often you lean down… until you do can’t do.
This little tool came in very handy for picking things up off the floor without straining my core. It’s one of those little things that make everyday life so much easier during recovery.
I would be more careful not to drop things, because I didn’t want to pick them. But when I did, I loved it This catching tool Around to make it easy for me.
This is not the most glamorous subject, but very practical. 😉 Another item we saved from my husband’s surgery two years ago and am so glad we kept!
Getting up and down can be tough the first few days, and this made it so much easier (and safer). I’d call this a “nice to have” rather than a must, but if you can swing it, it’s very helpful in the beginning.
i love This special raised toilet seat with handles Because it fits directly on top of an existing toilet seat, and has handles to lift oneself up from a sitting position.
8. Freezer meals (such a blessing!).
If you don’t have a meal train lined up, preparing ahead is the next best thing. And I am so thankful that I did this for my family! Before surgery, I bought two weeks worth of groceries and stocked the freezer with meals for the first week.
Some ideas that work well:
It completely took the pressure off and made those first few days at home feel more organized.
This was perfect for working out of bed without putting pressure on my stomach. I know not everyone is self-employed and needs to work during recovery, but Laptop pillow A nice luxury for anyone who ever wants to work from bed or sofa!
Even if you’re not working during recovery, it’s great for:
- Reading
- watching the show
- Staying comfortable on your laptop
Just one of those little comforts that makes a big difference.
10. Hot Tea (Trust Me)
Okay, buddy… there we go. 😅 If you’ve ever had surgery, you know things can be a little… slow… afterwards.
A friend recommended hot tea with Miralax, and let me tell you, it worked within hours. If you are at all uncomfortable in this area, you will be very happy to have this in hand.
Honorable mentions
- Stay hydrated: Don’t underestimate this one. Keeping a water bottle nearby and staying hydrated helps with healing, energy and digestion! It is simple, but very important.
- Line up entertainment: This might sound a little “duh” but I saved a TV show to watch during recovery, and it was so clutch for me to keep it entertained while I laid there for a few days. I don’t like to be still, so being entertained was really helpful. (I watched the latest season of Virgin River, and loved it!)
A little encouragement and final thoughts
If you’re heading into surgery (or just recovering), I just want to say, you’ve got this! Carry on and take good care of yourself.
Prepare what you can, give yourself lots of grace and don’t rush the process. Healing takes time, but having a few simple things makes it seem more manageable. I am very glad that this time I already have a lot of good equipment.
And honestly? This experience reminded me how important it is to take good care of our bodies… and to accept help when we need it.
If you’ve had surgery before, I’d love to hear—what helped you the most during recovery?
Let’s share ideas and help each other! xo, Laura
