Pelvic Surgery Prep, Facing Surgery With Confidence

No one circles a date on the calendar, excited about surgery. It’s stressful, overwhelming, and full of unknowns. But what if I told you that the choices you make before surgery could change how you feel after?

As a urogynecologist, I’m often asked: “What can I do to make my surgery and recovery go better?” And as someone who’s recently walked through my own diagnosis and treatment, I can tell you firsthand, it matters.

Let’s talk about the things you can do now that can make a big difference later.

Why Education Matters Before Surgery

One of the most powerful things you can do is understand what’s about to happen. Knowing your procedure, the anesthesia, where it’s performed, and what recovery looks like gives you back a sense of control.

When you know the details, your anxiety lessens, your pain can even be reduced, and you’re more likely to be satisfied with the outcome. It’s not about memorizing every medical term, it’s about asking the right questions and making sure you feel comfortable with the answers.

Move Your Body, Heal Your Body

Think of surgery like running a marathon. You wouldn’t show up at the starting line without training a little, right?

Even small increases in activity, like adding 10 extra steps a day, can build stamina that pays off after surgery. For some women, this might mean light strength training. For others, it’s a short daily walk. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s preparation.

Fuel, Don’t Deprive

Here’s the part that surprises many of my patients: right before surgery is not the time to diet. Your body needs protein, vitamins, and strong nutritional stores to heal well.

Protein shakes, lean meats, beans, or whatever fits your lifestyle, what matters is that you’re fueling, not restricting. Malnutrition before surgery is linked with slower wound healing and more complications. This is your time to nourish.

Stress, Alcohol, and Smoking: The Quiet Influencers

Recovery isn’t just physical, it’s mental too. The more grounded and calm you feel, the better your body heals.

• If meditation or yoga are already in your toolkit, bring them back.
• If stress feels overwhelming, even a few minutes of deep breathing helps.

It’s also a good time to cut back on alcohol and stop smoking if possible, both impact wound healing and recovery. Even reducing consumption two weeks before surgery can make a difference.

The Day-Before Details

The rules have changed when it comes to eating and drinking before surgery. The latest guidelines recommend:

• Usually we have patients stop eatin at 10 the night before
• Clear liquids (water, black coffee, apple juice) up to two hours before anesthesia.

This shift helps reduce nausea and encourages your gut to bounce back more quickly.

Setting Yourself Up for Recovery

It’s not just about the day of surgery, it’s about what happens after—having items like pads, MiraLax, or even something as simple as ice packs on hand will make recovery smoother. I often recommend products like Pips Pantys for vaginal surgeries, which allow you to place ice comfortably after vaginal surgery.

And don’t forget walking gently after surgery, even just around the house, is one of the best ways to speed healing.

Final Thoughts

Surgery may feel like something completely out of your control, but it’s not. By educating yourself, fueling your body, moving a little more, and taking care of your mental health, you can create a foundation that supports healing.

When you walk into the OR feeling prepared, you walk out stronger.

Resources:

• YourPelvicFloor.org – Patient-friendly guides from the International Urogynecology Association
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support – Peer-to-peer patient community
• AAMC Article: Better Surgical Results – Research-backed tips on improving outcomes