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Hi everyone!

How’s 2020 going for ya? It’s currently week three of recovery. I’m sitting here watching FRIENDS on Nick Nite (thx Brian for your login info, guess I didn’t need Netflix after all LOL). I thought it would be a good idea to write about post-op in general.

For those who may not know, I had a laparoscopic myomectomy to remove some fibroids, which are usually noncancerous tumors on or in your uterus. A lot of people have inquired about ways to recover after a procedure, so I wanted to go over diet/nutrition, resting/being active, mindfulness, etc.

Diet and Nutrition

After my surgery, my doctor recommended I eat smaller meals and to go easy on my tummy. I started each day drinking celery juice and then I made sure to eat regularly just with smaller and softer portions. My mom was here for the first week of my recovery, so I ate most of what she prepped for me.

One of my first meals post-surgery was a bowl of porridge with a boiled egg. I found that eating soft foods was best for me then. The day after, I incorporated a ton of tofu into my diet with a small portion of rice. My mom made sure to add a ton of veggies as well (ie. green beans, bok choy, etc).

Growing up in Singapore, my favorite breakfast was this soybean pudding. I know it sounds weird and maybe it’s an Asian thing (who knows?), but it’s honestly delicious when served hot. My mom and I got some from the Asian market nearby, but I found the same ones on Amazon!

The texture may not be for everyone, but it’s a nice snack for those not looking to exercise their jaw too much 😛

Because I was also focused on my pain/discomfort plus taking meds, I also depended heavily on Tone It Up’s protein shakes. They’re great to pop in your fridge for a quick shake without having to blend on your own.

Surgery Tip #1: Resting

I was in so much pain the first 2-3 days after. I remember not being able to get up as quickly and comfortably as before. As someone who usually goes to the gym at least 3-4x a week, it was hard to just rest and lay.

It was a mindset switch for me to evaluate my life and STOP PUTTING MYSELF DOWN.

I listened to a lot of self-development podcasts in the meantime for motivation, where I learned to be grateful for my body for being able to undergo surgery and still being able to move after.

I also started reading more. As part of the Starring Milana‘s book club, one of our first books for the year is The Artist’s Way. This book is guides readers on a creative journey and to offer self-growth and self-discovery.

Surgery Tip #2: Mindfulness

When there is nothing else to do but sit/recover and binge watch shows (hello Hart of Dixie for the second time! LOL), you learn to practice gratitude and just be weary of your thoughts.

Detoxifying myself from social media, reading books, and writing in my journal were all some habits I adopted throughout. It can also get pretty lonely and boring if you’re recovering by yourself. Shortly after my mom left to head back to LA, I felt pretty alone. It was pretty detrimental on my mindset, but it also strengthened and pushed me to practice my thoughts.

Taking my first shower alone was also tough physically bc my bathtub is too high, but honestly, practicing mental toughness and moving slowly helped me get through it all.

Surgery Tip #3: Being Active

I stayed in the first two days of recovery and then opted to go outside on the third day. Thank you to the New England weather gods for blessing us with LA-like weather of 60-70 degrees!!! It was a sign for me to get up and moving, which I am so grateful about.

My mom and I walked over to TJ Maxx bc we all know retail therapy is the best cure?

JK, but really though — the simple act of walking was perfect for my first activity. I knew I wanted to be active in a small way, so I figured walking 3000-5000+ steps/day would be a nice start. I learned how to be intuitive with my body.

I made sure to be attentive to whenever I felt strong or weak. It’s important to realize that you’re not going to be your 100% until about 6 weeks after… and who knows, maybe even longer? I personally lost a lot of blood during surgery, so I expect not to be my upbeat self anytime soon and that is okay.

And lastly…

I also want to address the pain of not being able to use the restroom. Peeing was itself a chore bc you’re using so much of your abdominal muscles. Laughing, coughing, sneezing were no-go’s either.

I would have to prop a pillow/heating pad on my belly and push against it if I’m doing any of those things in fear of my stitches exploding on me (unlikely but still freaky!). Stool softeners were a life saver bc those pain meds were leaving me constipated. I remember being scared to poop bc of the pain I’d feel, so I didn’t get to do it until the 3rd day post-op. Fiber was my best friend.

Other than that, recovery went well. I didn’t have to rely on a ton of oxys surprisingly. It wasn’t the pain that hindered me from moving necessarily; it was more of feeling tired real easily. Thursday will be my first day back to work, so we’ll see how things go.

My overall message to you is take it easy and enjoy this downtime.

Stay tuned and let me know if you have any questions! Hope this helps!

(avocado blanket gifted by my friend Nicole — follow her on IG!)

PS: If you have questions about fibroids, read this post! I also share how I knew I had fibroids on my Instagram.