Wear loose, comfortable clothing with an elastic waistband and slip-on shoes. You’ll change into a hospital gown when you arrive, so your outfit mainly matters for easy removal beforehand and comfort when you get dressed to go home. The key is choosing clothes that won’t press against your abdomen, are simple to get on and off without bending or straining, and can accommodate post-surgical swelling.
What to Wear When You Arrive
You won’t be in your own clothes during the procedure, so your arrival outfit is really about two things: how easily you can change out of it and how comfortable it will be when you put it back on. A button-down or zip-up top is easier to manage than a pullover, since lifting your arms above your head will be uncomfortable after abdominal surgery. On the bottom, sweatpants or loose joggers with a soft elastic waistband are ideal. Skip anything with a stiff button, zipper, or snug waistline.
Slip-on shoes are a must. Bending over to tie laces after abdominal surgery ranges from painful to impossible, and you likely won’t have full range of motion when it’s time to leave. Sneakers with no laces, slides, or wide-opening clogs all work well. Avoid heels or anything with a narrow fit, since mild foot swelling from IV fluids is common.
What to Remove Before Surgery
All jewelry needs to come off before you go into the operating room. This includes rings, necklaces, earrings, and body piercings. Metal jewelry can interfere with surgical equipment and potentially cause burns during the procedure. The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation recommends removing all piercings as the safest approach. If you have piercings you can’t easily take out, let your surgical team know well in advance so they can plan accordingly.
You’ll also need to remove contact lenses, glasses, dentures, and hair accessories. Leave valuables at home. The hospital will provide a gown, and in most cases, grip socks to wear during your stay.
Planning for Swelling at Discharge
Here’s something many people don’t anticipate: your belly will likely be noticeably swollen when it’s time to go home. After a hysterectomy, abdominal swelling typically lasts one to two weeks, and it can make your usual pants feel uncomfortably tight. This is sometimes called “swelly belly” in recovery communities, and it’s completely normal.
Bring clothing that’s at least one size larger than you normally wear, or choose something with a very flexible waistband. High-waisted leggings with a wide, soft band work for some people, while others find even gentle compression uncomfortable and prefer drawstring pants worn loosely. If your surgeon provides an abdominal binder for support, you’ll want your clothes to fit comfortably over it. Cotton or other breathable fabrics help prevent irritation around incision sites.
Clothing Considerations by Surgery Type
The general advice holds regardless of whether you’re having a vaginal, laparoscopic, or open abdominal hysterectomy, but the details shift slightly. With an open abdominal hysterectomy, you’ll have a larger incision across your lower abdomen, so high-waisted underwear and pants with very soft waistbands are especially important. Nothing should sit directly on or rub across the incision line.
Laparoscopic and robotic procedures leave several small incisions on the abdomen. These are smaller but can still be irritated by seams or tight fabric. Loose cotton clothing draped over the incisions, rather than pressing against them, is the goal. For vaginal hysterectomies, abdominal clothing matters less, but you’ll likely have some vaginal discharge and should plan on wearing a pad. Hospitals typically provide mesh underwear and pads initially, but having your own comfortable, full-coverage underwear and maxi pads for the ride home is a good idea.
Underwear That Works
High-waisted, stretchy underwear in a size up from your usual is the most common recommendation after any type of hysterectomy. The waistband should sit well above your incision line rather than across it. Briefs or “granny panties” in soft cotton or bamboo fabric are a better choice than bikini-cut styles, which tend to hit right at the lower abdominal incision area. Some people buy disposable mesh underwear (the same type hospitals use) in bulk for the first week or two of recovery, which also solves the laundry problem when you’re not supposed to be bending and lifting.
What to Skip
- Jeans or structured pants. Stiff fabric, buttons, and zippers will press against your abdomen and are difficult to manage when your core muscles are sore.
- Underwire bras. A soft bralette or sports bra without a clasp is more comfortable. Reaching behind your back to hook a bra can strain your abdominal muscles.
- Tight waistbands of any kind. Even yoga pants that normally feel fine may be too compressive over swelling and incisions.
- Complicated layers. The simpler your outfit, the less help you’ll need getting dressed. One easy top, one easy bottom, slip-on shoes.
What to Pack for an Overnight Stay
If you’re staying one or two nights (common for open abdominal hysterectomies, less common for laparoscopic), pack a small bag with a robe or cardigan for warmth, since hospital rooms run cold. Non-slip socks or slippers with grip on the soles are important for your first walks around the unit, as your balance may be off from pain medication and fatigue. The hospital will keep you in a gown during your stay, so you really only need your own clothes for going home.
A loose nightgown or oversized t-shirt can be more comfortable than the hospital gown if your care team allows it, particularly on day two of your stay. Pack your going-home outfit in a separate bag that’s easy for your ride to carry in, since you may decide last-minute that the pants you brought aren’t loose enough and want someone to grab an alternative.