SAH - 2 Weeks post-op - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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SAH - 2 Weeks post-op

SAH - 2 Weeks post-op

From the Abdominal Hysterectomy Stories Articles List

HysterSisters Articles

Options to Hysterectomy
Pre-Op Hysterectomy
Post-Op Hysterectomy
Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Pelvic Floor
Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
Grief and Loss
Endometriosis
Uterine Fibroids
Hysterectomy Stories
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My period was painful from the beginning. With the exception of a couple of incidences over the years when I started hemorrhaging for unknown reasons the flow wasn’t bad – just the pain. About 4 years ago the flow got heavy and I had an Ablation, which turned out to be a waste for me. It made no change at all in my flow, which just kept getting worse.

In Oct 04 at my yearly pap, when I complained yet again about my painful, heavy periods, my DR and I discussed at hysterectomy. My sister had one 4 years ago for heavy bleeding and her quality of life was so much better afterward. She told me about HysterSisters. The Ultrasound showed a fist sized fibroid. DR wanted to watch it and told me to come back in 6 months for a follow-up. He gave me a script to low dose BCP to see if that would help the bleeding. It didn’t.

By Jan 05, my period was worse. I was regularly passing large clots and flooding and was housebound the first 2 days. Then I started to occasionally pass large clots between my periods so I wore a pad everyday. I gained a couple of pounds over the holidays, and thought that was the reason most of my pants no longer fit. Another Ultrasound and a Sonogram showed my Uterus was a 16wk size and I had a mass on an ovary. I was also anemic. DR gave me the option of Luprin injections or TAH. I came to HysterSisters to ask for experiences with Luprin and decided I didn’t want to go that route. I opted for the SAH, leaving the ovaries if possible and I also wanted to keep my cervix. Thank you HysterSisters for helping me go into this surgery with knowledge.

Pre-op appts went smoothly, I took a list of questions from the HS pre-op checkpoints and my DR answered all. Surgery was set for Fri 4/29. The Sunday night before, my period came on strong. The pain was excruciating so my DR prescribed Percocet. I spent Mon – Wed either passed out from the Percocet or vomiting. That was actually a blessing in disguise. My DR decided that based on the problems I have with narcotics that I should have Dilaudid as my pain med and wrote an order for anti-nausea drugs.

Check in to the hospital went fine. Talked to my DR and the Anesthesiologist. The nurse had problems finding a good vein and had to stick me twice. I hate intravenous. One of the senior DRs in the medical group would be assisting my DR and he joked that I would still need to come in every year for my pap because I was keeping my cervix.

From my point of view, my surgery was easy. I remember only being brought into the OR, being covered with a warm blanket and having my arms strapped down. My next memory is being in my bed on the surgical floor with BF offering ice chips. BF told me a different version. My surgery took about an hour longer than planned. The fibroid had grown still larger and my uterus was the size of a small melon. I started bleeding and needed a transfusion. My left ovary was covered in endo and was removed.

I wasn’t in pain when I woke up in bed – good drugs! – and drifted in and out the rest of the day. I may have had some jello for dinner. I was receiving additional pain and anti-nausea meds through shots into the intravenous as well as the drip. Nurses and aides checked on me every hour. The pump was available but I never used it until day 2 when the nurses decided I had to get out of bed. The pain was excruciating and I felt like my stitches were ripping open. They sat me in a chair and I thought I would pass out. I was given a wet washcloth and soap and cleaned myself as well as possible and brushed my teeth and got into a new gown. Then I was allowed me to go back into bed. The nurses came back a short time later and told me they were going to turn off the Dilaudid drip and remove my catheter. What kind of sick joke was that…..cut my pain meds and make me get out of bed to pee. I refused to let them remove the catheter and my DR must have approved it.

The morning of Day 3 I had a meltdown. I was still on liquid diet, the food service staff placed the tray where I couldn’t reach it, I had heartburn felt sick to my stomach. My phone didn’t work and I felt alone. That was the only day that I had a roommate and her friend called a nurse for me. Once they calmed me down and I got anti-nausea meds I felt better. I agreed for them to take out the catheter and getting out of bed was less painful. Sitting on the toilet hurt, but I was able to urinate ok. No BM, but I passed gas which was good enough. I started to get up and walk a little with BF and later with DD when she came to visit. I could still only walk about 20 feet before turning around which shook DD a bit. Not the mom she is used to. Finally on day 4, my DR removed the steri-strips and said I could go home.

The first day home was a little rough. I was setup on the sofa bed in the family room so I wouldn’t have to climb steps. I slept there for 2 nights, then moved back to my bed. My first shower at home felt wonderful.

My recovery has been easier than I ever imagined. It has had its moments, but after the first few days the only problems I’ve had are when I over-do. I have pain meds that I take at night, and during the day get by with Motrin if needed. I have no regrets that I have had this surgery.

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Recommended for Hysterectomy Recovery

The HysterSisters Store has gathered products made specifically for your recovery from surgery. Here are the best sellers we can recommend to help you:

The Great Binder Set - We have made it very easy for you and combined the two best binders and the Silky Sac into a great set to save you money! Our favorite is the Perfect Pocket binder with cold/hot packs!
Deluxe Hyst Prep Set - As you plan, we've gathered the best products into one set for special pricing.
Post-Op Panty - These great panties speed recovery, and reduces scarring. They contain a medical-grade silicone panel over incision to reduce scar's apperance while they provide support to weakened muscles and tissues from surgery. Excellent!
Softest Bra Ever - When you want to wear something, but feel nothing. This is the softest bra ever, in microfiber with no hardware or tags to chafe or dig! The comfort-ribbed underband stays in place gently, so it is perfect for sleeping and lounging.
HysterSisters Accessory Kit - Are you a HysterSisters fan? This set has a fun collection of HysterSisters items.
Very Private Moisture - Once your doctor gives you the green light for intimacy, this is the stuff! This is a best selling product with a high rate of permanent, satisfied, repeat customers! Relieves vaginal dryness instantly, protects tissue & enhances intimacy. "Buy it for the problem, use it for the pleasure."

SAH - 11 days out

SAH - 4 days post-op, feeling well

Find A Doctor Near You

David Zisow, M.D. 2005 Rock Spring Rd Ste. 3 Forest Hill - Baltimore MD 21050 410-879-1139	Amie Napier, M.D. Medical City Hospital 7777 Forest Lane Suite A331 Dallas TX 75230 9725667760	Gretchen Makai, M.D. 4735 Ogletown Stanton Rd MAP II, Ste 2103 Christiana Care Health System Newark DE 19713 302-623-4410
Mark Richey, M.D. 1200 Airport Heights Ste 205 Anchorage AK 99508 9072724443	James Kondrup, M.D. 161 Riverside Drive Suite 109 Binghamton NY 13905 607-770-7074	Jennifer Hayes, M.D. Visionary Centre for Women 2695 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater FL 33762 727-540-0414
John Lenihan, M.D. 314 ML King Jr. Way Suite 104 Tacoma WA 98465 253-403-5432	Quanita Crable, M.D. 8160 Walnut Hill Lane Ste. LL-001 Dallas TX 75231 (469)364-3764	Ellen Wilson, M.D. 5323 Harry Hines Blvd - Dept of OBGYN Dallas TX 75390 214-648-4747

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