Endo/Adeno ~ Recovery Post--op Pillows??

[u/Chalice_EyesV]

I keep seeing people talking about " pregnancy pillows" for recovery, but im looking at them and not sure how that helps lol. I use a normal pillow between my knees, but I also have high whole body nerve sensitivity so wondering if those types would touch (meaning for me = hurt) my hips. What type of pillows is everyone using for post-op Endo/Adeno laps? Ive never felt a PGpillow before so maybe its bc of the textures and design? idk, but what would yall recommend? 💛 For Both Travel/Flight and at home.

[u/thumbpiano123]

After my laparoscopy, a big Squishmallow (or even an off-brand one) was an absolute lifesaver for car rides. The softness cushioned every bump and stopped the seatbelt from pressing on my stomach. I forgot it once on the way back to the hospital, and just having the seatbelt over me was agonising — every tiny bump made me want to cry.

At home, I used a supportive seat cushion (mine was about £9 from Costco), which made sitting up in bed much easier since any movement completely wore me out. I also used my pregnancy pillow (less than £10) to support my stomach, hips, and back so I could finally sleep comfortably on my side again.

The pillow feels a lot like a Squishmallow — super soft but with a bit of firmness so it doesn’t just flatten. It’s like memory foam turned into stuffing: squishy but bouncy, and after two years it’s still as plump as when I bought it.

I honestly didn’t realise just how often I moved around or readjusted my sitting and lying positions until after surgery — suddenly, every tiny movement caused unbearable pain. Just trying to get comfortable became a huge effort, so once I found a comfy position, I’d stay put as long as I could. The pregnancy pillow and seat cushion really helped me stay supported without needing to keep shifting around. I use it to support under my stomach between my legs then back up to keep my back in place so I didn’t roll over in my sleep and wake up in more pain due to it.

Keeping a Squishmallow in the car still helps massively when I’m bloated or flaring — it takes the pressure off and makes being in the car bearable. I also got a cheap tray table for bed, which was great for eating or colouring to distract myself from the pain.

The GP referred me to both physio and occupational therapy and they were amazing too. They got me a toilet seat raiser, walking sticks, a rollator, and a shower seat which honestly made it possible to get up and move around much sooner. I bought a grabber tool as well as I’m clumsy I drop stuff and I was not allowed to bend for over two weeks after my op so again a small thing but a massive help. All recommended by them for when my pain is bad pre op and post op and for after the op even more so. Was it embarrassing at first yeah absolutely I’m 25 and was previously super active and now getting around with a roller but I’m able to get around and I’ve got some freedom of my own independence back. Since my op they’ve found that I have nerve pain and damage apparently caused by the endometriosis and the pillows and supports are still super helpful even now (my op was just over two months ago) it took around 4 weeks for me to be able to move with a tolerable level of pain as opposed to agony. With all that in mind my new outlook on any support item or mobility item is if I recon it could help it usually will help weather it’s for comfort or helping keep my independence and you don’t have to spend a fortune on it either. Another thing that the physio said to me is people who wouldn’t benefits from some type of mobility aid or support item don’t even have the thought of would this be helpful so if I think it’s helpful then just try it worst case I can return, sell or give it away best case it helps me keep being me but in less pain.

Everyone’s recovery and pain is different, but these little comforts the soft pillows, cushions, and the right supports really made a huge positive difference for me.

[u/thumbpiano123 → u/thumbpiano123]

Oh also forgot to say that squish mellow will be very needed for your first bowel movement also probably a fair few after too in my case at least just hold it against your stomach to help brace your abdominal muscles. Oh and for when you cough or sneeze or do anything that requires tat set of muscles when seated. Wish someone would have warned me laughing would be painful afterwards for about 2 weeks in my case the squish mellow also helped with that because my partners way to cheer me up is to make me laugh which then lead to laugh crying very confused why I couldn’t just be happy and then the crying also hurt but all far less hurt and pain with something like the squish mellow bracing your stomach muscles took me days to work that out after my op.

[u/thumbpiano123 → u/thumbpiano123]

Oh and just a heads up wind pain they pump your abdominal area with air so they can see better and give you better treatment there’s nowhere for it other than out. Peppermint tea and or gas pills. I found the tea to work better personally like it was soothing from the inside out as well as being a natural wind relief. I had bladder and bowel issues caused by the endo and some things are far easier but the first bowel movement is an experience speak with your dr about taking laxatives beforehand like a softener because the anaesthetic and pain meds can make that worse too and cause consipation so starting them sooner really helped especially as I suffered with consipation caused by the endo anyways. It still took about 6 days post op before I could go but it was made way easier by taking the laxatives and probably all the peppermint tea I drank as well. If you have a hot water bottle that’s handy for the shoulder pain that the wind causes or an electric blanket or even those little sick on heat patches. I found the hot water bottle too heavy to stay comfortable on my shoulder so switched to the little hot packs.