Surgery Day: What It’s Really Like to Get a Stent for May-Thurner Syndrome

This week, I had a stent placed to treat May-Thurner Syndrome, a vascular condition where the right iliac artery compresses the left iliac vein, restricting blood flow from the pelvis and leg. I’m sharing the full breakdown of what surgery day looked like, from how I prepped in the morning to how I felt getting back to the hotel afterward.

My hope is that by documenting this, I can help others feel more informed, less alone, and more empowered to advocate for themselves through this process.

Morning Routine

Even though I couldn’t eat or drink after 1:30 a.m., I wanted to start my day with a few grounding habits:

  • A walk with Andrew

  • Gentle stretching

  • A short meditation to calm my nervous system

Check-In & Pre-Op

When we checked in, I was asked to take a pregnancy test, which made me laugh, since I’ve had a hysterectomy. Once I clarified, they skipped the urine test.

Then I met with the nurse, physician, and anesthesiologist. For the first time, I really advocated for myself with anesthesia. I’ve had rough experiences before, so I was very clear about what I needed. That made a big difference.

Here’s what helped:

  • A Scopolamine patch behind my ear to manage nausea

  • Medication to minimize post-op shaking, which I usually experience

  • Warm blankets and a heating pad to help regulate and calm my system

Pain + Medication Plan

Most of the pain I felt afterward was in my low back, left abdominal area, and left hip. It was manageable with:

  • Tylenol

  • Naproxen

  • Tramadol

  • Gabapentin

I’m trying to avoid narcotics if I can, but they offered a steroid patch and reassured me that we could adjust meds at any time if pain worsened. I really appreciated having options.

Andrew walked across the street to pick up all my prescriptions, plus Miralax, which I’d highly recommend. You want to avoid straining for a few weeks so your stent doesn’t migrate. Constipation is a no-go.

I also bumped up my regular fiber supplements and made sure our hotel fridge was stocked with fiber-rich foods to keep things moving naturally during recovery.

Post-Procedure Recovery

After the procedure, I had to keep my left leg still for one hour. There was a pressure wrap at the puncture site and just steri-strips, so I was told to keep the wrap on for at least 24 hours if possible.

I was exhausted, barely able to keep my eyes open. The team gradually raised the head of my bed over the course of a half hour or so, brought me apple juice (heaven), and gave me snacks. Eventually, I sat up and walked to the bathroom with Andrew’s help (about 10 feet), but got super dizzy and had to lie back down on my side. I dozed off for about 10 minutes.

Getting Back to the Hotel

I stubbornly declined a wheelchair. In hindsight, I probably should’ve said yes.

I walked about 75 feet before getting dizzy again and needing to sit. After a short break, I walked another 50 feet to the car and immediately fell asleep for the 15-minute ride back to our hotel.

Andrew helped me inside with a few rest breaks. Once we got to our room, I napped for another hour, then got up for electrolytes, fiber, and a small snack.

Pain Management + Mobility

They told me low back pain would likely be my biggest challenge, and they were right. I’d rate it around 4/10 at rest (when meds are wearing off) and closer to 7/10 with movement.

It’s especially painful to move or lift my left leg, which sends pain through my hip, core, and back. Even using my right leg to hook and lift myself in and out of bed hurts. Andrew’s helping lift my legs and assist with transitions for now.

My heating pad has been a total lifesaver. I’ll share the one I love, it’s big enough to wrap around my back and abdomen, and it’s soft enough to rest with comfortably. Even small things like bed mobility, shifting, or bridging are uncomfortable, but heat helps take the edge off.

Comfort Hacks

Andrew realized the hotel TV only had basic cable, so he ordered a Fire Stick (next-day delivery). I have mixed feelings about Amazon, but I have to admit, it saved us. It’s now set up in both the bedroom and living room, so I have some control over the vibe and can change environments when I need a lift.

Post-Op Medications & Monitoring

I’m currently on Eliquis, a blood thinner, for 1 month. I’ll follow up with an ultrasound, and if everything looks good, I’ll likely switch to baby aspirin for 2 more months.

Being on blood thinners means:

  • I need to be cautious with bruising and injury

  • Some supplements are off-limits

Other instructions":

  • If I test positive for COVID or have a known exposure, I need to notify my team ASAP since viruses can raise clotting risk

  • I now carry a stent card at all times, especially for travel and MRIs, which require special settings

Pain, Progress, and a Glimpse of Relief

Pain has been fairly well controlled, averaging 4/10 when I stay on top of meds. I walked less than 0.75 miles total post-op, broken into small chunks around our room and the hallway.

Peeing is totally fine. And honestly… my legs already feel lighter and fresher—a feeling I haven’t had in a long, long time. My abdomen is very inflamed, but I was able to sleep in loose shorts without added discomfort.

A Few “Day-Of” Tips I’d Recommend

  • Braid your hair before the procedure. One less thing to deal with, and it stays out of your way.

  • Wear a dress if you can. I chose one with a built-in bra for complete comfort. I’m still incredibly bloated, and anything around the waist sounds miserable.

  • Easy sandals that slip on and off. Disclaimer: stable footwear is typically safer post-op. But for me, sandals worked since I had Andrew with me and was furniture-cruising the whole time.

  • Write down your questions beforehand. I made a shared Note on our phones for Andrew with my med history, allergies, and all the questions I wanted to ask. He gets overwhelmed with medical lingo and I get loopy post-op, so this helped us both feel more confident talking to staff.

  • Bring a water bottle and electrolytes. Helpful during recovery and essential for the ride home.

  • So much grace. I literally asked the doctor, “What does ‘take it easy’ actually mean?” because I’ve been known to push recovery too quickly in the past. PTs make the worst patients. I’ll talk more about post-op limitations and pacing in my next blog.

Final Thoughts

We were at the hospital for just over five hours. It was a long, exhausting day, but the procedure went smoothly. I’m incredibly grateful to be on this side of it. Being in a hotel to recover is kind of nice. I spent a lot of time sleeping today and to have a quiet hotel room without my kids running around has definitely helped me focus on myself.

Recovery will take time. I’m giving myself space and grace to move through it slowly, one day at a time. I’ll continue sharing what I learn along the way—not just for myself, but for anyone navigating May-Thurner Syndrome or a similar journey.

This diagnosis is rarely talked about, especially in women, and that needs to change.

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The Benefits of Mobile Physical Therapy & Wellness