I’d give everything to go back in time to provide some post bisalp tips to myself…
The first 24 hours after my bilateral salpingectomy or bisalp surgery were daunting.
My body was exhausted; I couldn’t get out of my hospital bed. It felt like I ran a marathon twice all over Chiang Mai. My tummy was bloated from the laparoscopic gas, and my belly button was aching from the incisions. Coughing was a torture. Sleeping on the side was impossible. My loving boyfriend and the nurses of McCormick Hospital nursed me the entire day- they fetched my stuff, served dinner, injected me with painkillers and antibiotics almost every hour, and tucked me in with my cat doll before I went to sleep.
Thanks to their care, I regained 50% of my strength and walked around my hospital room the next day. Gradually, I felt more like myself in the next few days.
It’s one thing to have your bisalp surgery in Thailand, but not everyone may have the luxury of having nurses at their beck and call.
Here are seven post bisalp tips that will surely make a comfortable first 24 hours:
1. Throat lozenges for coughs
My number one post bisalp tip and biggest regret. For the first few days after my bisalp, my abdomen was in pain whenever I coughed. It didn’t help that intubation left my throat sore and itchy. Having lozenges at hand would have soothed my throat (and spared me from further tummy aches) during recovery.
When I didn’t have lozenges, I just hugged a pillow tightly whenever I coughed to cushion the muscle contractions over my tummy.
2. Meal prep (if outpatient)
Thankfully, I didn’t need to worry about meal preparation as the bisalp is a 3-day in-patient procedure in Thailand (I can’t hype up Thai hospital food enough). But if you’re in a country where bilateral salpingectomy is an outpatient surgery, stock up on prepared meals or easy-to-prepare food such as soups that would last you for at least a week. You can order from Doordash or Uber Eats as an alternative to cooking.
3. Simethicone for laparoscopic gas
Simethicone, also known as Air-X in Thailand (or Kremlin-S in the Philippines and Gas-X in other countries), is one of the medications I must take daily for a week after my bisalp. Since Simethicone is cheaper in Thailand, I stocked up enough Simethicone to last a year.
Gas from a laparoscopic procedure may still linger inside your body after the surgery. This is why it’s recommended that patients move and walk around as soon as possible after a bisalp. Simethicone can help eliminate the extra gas inside your body that causes the bisalp’s signature abdominal and shoulder pain.
4. Wear night gowns or dresses
Another post bisalp tip- avoid pants. You don’t want to wear anything that could touch and put pressure on your incisions, such as a pants’ waistband. As your incisions start to heal, it’s recommended that you wear a nightgown or a dress.
5. Have anti-nausea meds at ready
Some patients may be more sensitive to the effects of anesthesia than others. It is essential to let your doctor and nurses know if you feel nauseous from the anesthetic. They may prescribe anti-nausea medications to mitigate the dizziness.
6. Drink electrolyte drinks
Any surgery may leave you feeling dehydrated—many patients who had a bisalp recommended to hydrate more by drinking electrolyte drinks after the procedure.
Aside from water, my drink of choice after the bisalp was Vitamilk Vita+, a delicious black sesame-flavored soymilk drink from Thailand.
7. Movies, series, or video games to pass the time
After your bisalp, you may be bedridden (or more inclined to stay in bed) for the rest of the day. To pass the time, watch your favorite movies or series or play video games.
Any other post bisalp tips?
A bisalp procedure, or any surgery, may feel intimidating, especially if this is your first surgery. With enough preparation, any discomfort and pain can become manageable. As long as you follow your doctor’s instructions and communicate with your health providers, recovering from a minimally invasive procedure like the bisalp will be smoother.