Your No-Nonsense Guide to Endometriosis Surgery & Healing

Namira Mohamad
Mar 16
5 min read

Updated: Mar 17

I won’t sugarcoat it—surgery is tough. I’ve been through it more times than I can count. A myomectomy, cystectomy, polypectomy, conization to remove precancerous cells, endometriosis excision, a D&C after miscarriage, gallbladder removal, and most recently, a shinbone and knee surgery just seven months ago. Every single one took a toll on my body and my emotions, and each time, I had to figure out how to recover in the best way possible.

Because of my advocacy work with E for Endometriosis, I get asked a lot: How do you prepare for surgery? What should I expect afterward? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But after going through this so many times, I’ve learned what actually helps. This isn’t just a list of medical advice—it’s what I wish someone had told me before I went under the knife. If you’re reading this because you have surgery coming up, I see you. I’ve been where you are. And I hope this helps you navigate it with a little more confidence and a lot more self-compassion.

1. What You Need to Know from the Hospital

Before Surgery:

Talk to Your Doctor: Your surgeon will go over your case, but don’t be afraid to ask every single question on your mind. Write them down if you need to.
Pre-Surgery Tests: Bloodwork, imaging scans, and a meeting with the anesthetist are routine.
Medication Adjustments: Some meds might need to be stopped before surgery—always check.
Fasting: No food or drink 6–8 hours before surgery, standard hospital rule.
Bowel Prep (If Required): Some procedures need it, some don’t. If they give you laxatives, don’t stray too far from a toilet.
What to Pack: Comfortable, loose clothing, essential toiletries, and things that bring you comfort (more on this later).
Have Someone with You: Please arrange for someone to be with you post-surgery to help you around. I made the mistake of not having anyone to assist me after my excision and previous procedures, and my recovery took much longer as a result. Having support can make a huge difference in how smoothly you recover.

What Happens After Surgery:

Bleeding & Period Pain: Post-surgery, you’ll likely experience some spotting or bleeding for a few days to a week. Your first few menstrual cycles may be more painful than usual before things stabilize—typically within three to six cycles.
First 24–72 Hours: For my endometriosis excision, I was in the hospital for three days. Expect to feel groggy, nauseous, and sore. The first time standing up feels impossible, but the nurses will help you.
Week 1: The pain is real. Gas pain (especially in the abdomen and shoulders) is no joke. Walking helps, but it sucks at first.
Weeks 2–4: Energy starts coming back, but you’re still healing. No heavy lifting, no overdoing it.
Weeks 6–8: Internally, things should be mostly healed, but fatigue can linger. Get clearance before returning to workouts or intense activity.

2. How I Prepared & What Helped Me Heal

Before Surgery:

Managing Gas Pain: That post-surgery trapped gas pain? Brutal. Applying Telon oil (My Baby oil) on my abdomen and shoulders helped.
Getting Moving ASAP: The nurses will help you up, but you have to push yourself to walk when you can. It hurts, but it also helps get rid of that horrible, trapped gas.
Setting Up a Recovery Space: I made sure my bed was set up with everything within reach—water, meds, heat packs, and my phone charger.

After Surgery:

Pain Management: Take your meds on time. Don't wait until the pain becomes unbearable.
Scar Care: Silicone gel or Vitamin E oil helped me reduce scarring.
Rest, but Move: You need rest, but moving even a little bit will help your body heal faster.

3. Nutrition: What Helped Me Recover Faster

Food plays a huge role in healing, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all thing.

Confinement meals worked well for me. If you can, consider getting a confinement food service for at least two weeks to a month—it takes the stress off meal prep and ensures you're getting nourishing, healing foods.

To be precise, here's what worked for me:

Traditional Healing Foods: I relied on ikan haruan (snakehead fish), turmeric-based meals, and warm ginger tea to help my body heal.
Anti-Inflammatory Choices: Omega-3-rich fish (tenggiri, selar), turmeric, ginger, and lots of greens.
Gut Health Matters: Constipation after surgery is the worst! Guava, papaya, and probiotics (yoghurt, kimchi) helped keep my digestion in check.
What to Avoid: Processed foods, caffeine, and dairy made me feel worse.

⚠ Important: If you’re on medication, check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding any new supplements.

4. Managing the Emotional Toll of Surgery

Surgery isn’t just physical. It messes with your mind too.

These are the things that helped me cope:

Breathing Exercises: It sounds simple, but focusing on deep breathing really does help with pain and stress.
Gratitude Journaling: I forced myself to write down one thing I was grateful for each day. It helped me shift my focus from the pain to progress.
Support Groups: Talking to others who’ve been through it made a difference. If you need a community, E for Endometriosis is here for you.

5. What to Pack for the Hospital

You don’t need much, but these made my stay easier:

✅ For the Hospital:

Loose, comfy clothes (front-button tops are best)
Slippers or easy-to-wear footwear
Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, wet wipes, dry shampoo)
Lip balm & moisturizer (hospital air is dry)
Phone charger with a long cable
Small pillow for abdominal support
Pads—hospitals usually provide thick post-birth ones, but bring your own if you prefer

✅ For Pain & Comfort:

Heat pack for sore muscles
Telon oil (My Baby oil) for gas pain relief
Painkillers & meds (as prescribed)

✅ For Emotional Support:

Prayer beads, affirmations, or something comforting
Earphones for meditation or music
A light book or e-reader

✅ For Recovery at Home:

Pre-made (such as confinement meals) or easy-to-digest meals
Supplements (if recommended by your doctor)
Supportive abdominal binder (if advised)
A journal to track healing progress

Final Words: If You’re About to Go Through Surgery…

If you’re preparing for surgery, I know how scary it feels. I’ve been there—lying on that hospital bed, feeling nervous, unsure, and just wanting to get it over with. But I also know this: you will get through it.

Healing isn’t linear. Some days, you’ll feel like you’re making progress, and others, you’ll wonder why you’re still in pain. That’s normal. Give yourself grace. Take it one step at a time, literally. Listen to your body, lean on the people who care about you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

You are stronger than you think. And no matter what, your health is worth fighting for.