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Ask A Doctor

Top Ten list of must knows and must haves for hospital stay:

1. You do NOT have to be in pain -- so dont!
2. If you have small veins or are a hard stick...ask for alternatives like a small iv to start and insert a larger on once you are under.
3. Empty your bladder before leaving, and if you are driving a distance back home...map out a good spot to stop at with NICE bathrooms to use.
4. You will not need your magazines, computer, and dvd player or hobby stuff. I never touched mine in 4 days!
5. I told friends to visit me at home...I spent my days in the castle getting out of bed to potty and getting back in bed. repeat. Who wants to watch that?
6. Hot peppermint tea calms a gassy tummy.
7. Dont forget your pillow! It will be your best friend for a while.
8. A swelly belly band...order a week or so before surgery so it arrives in time!
9. Soft elastic head bands. You can sleep in them and they stay in place and keep your hair out of your face.
10. Bring socks and slippers with no slip soles!


Hi ladies!
I just made it home this afternoon and actually had a good stay at the hospital. Recovery room was actual hell, but the rest of visit was awesome.

The process of getting the hyst took six month and alot of leg work on my part....a cytoscope, visiting special docs to give me their ok. I am what they call a "multi-issue patient" LOL We assumed I had endometriosis, due the pain pattern and history and my symptoms were worsening quickly.

Finally I was approved for surgery and a date was set. The day before I did the dreaded bowel prep. The phospho soda was tolerable since my doc told me to add 4 oz of thawed apple juice concetrate to my 1.5 oz of phospho. The apple juice was over the top sweet and I barely noticed anything salty...and the phospho worked right away. Then I had to use a Fleet enema...I did not know that some folks find them highly irritating, and I was on of them. When I opened the bottle a drop or two fell on my thigh and burnt my skin! I was a tad worried about this...then I tried to use it. It burned so very badly I began crying and my husband came in to help. He quickly said...UH, dont use anymore of that, besides it only takes very little work (yes, he is a doc and knows these things). Well the irritation had quickly made EVERYTHING swell shut and I had a strong urge to go...bad combo. The next hour was not pretty at all...but with lots of cold water baths and ice compresses we finally had all systems a go!

At midnight I fell asleep and slept a restfull 2 hours! Then sat in my recliner and waited for morning. We left around 6:30am...and were the first ones to sign in for surgery. They took me back and got me in a real sexy hospital gown, kissed my DH and was wheeled to surgery. The anesthesiologist (sp???) came to put in my IV. He numbed my wrist and only put in a very small catherter. Later when they knocked me out they would insert a much larger IV in a deeper vein. I liked that idea! They moved me to the surgery table and I heard someone say "goodnight" and I was out like a light.

When they opened my up, they found very little endo, but found multiple adhesions and scar tissue had attached my left ovary to my uterus. My right ovary was under layers of scar tissue and they had to cut it away from the surrounding tissue. That explained the "frozen-in-place lump" I kept complaining about...that feeling is gone now.

After 3 hours of surgery, I woke up. And not feeling good at all! They put me in recovery and I was feeling worse due to pain at a 8 or 9 level. I couldnt see straight and began crying and had a very mean recovery nurse. I couldnt believe her! She stomped over to me...got in my face, within inches and bellowed..."TAKE THE PAIN"

Im not a nice person when I am in pain. I know I passed out twice, and she said, "See you fell asleep, you cant be in bad pain"...I lost it. She got back in my face and this time I told her, GET MY DOCTOR NOW!...I yelled loud enough for the other nurses to hear. She had to do it...he came in, immediately ordered more meds and i was feeling better in a matter of minutes.

Do not let anyone tell you that you should feel badly!

I was taken up to room right after this episode. I began resting more comfortably and dozed off a few times...the doc came in an hour later and upped my drugs again and gave me a PCA pump. This did the trick. By the next morning I was feeling much better and got up and walked to the bathroom. By the next evening I was no long using my pump and asked them to take the basal meds off too. I walked the halls every 3 hours. The nursing staff on the floor was excellent. I had a liquid diet for 3 days and didnt eat much at all, but my doc said it was ok. My other health issues (Lupus,Sjogrens, VonWillebrands(clotting disorder), Diabetes) had to watched as well. My hematologist watched my bleeding and did a magnificent job of getting me through the surgery with minimal blood loss. I started on my estrogen patches and feel fine.

It took my about a half day to get my bladder working again. It was a little lazy at first, but by the second evening it was all good! The nurses brought me hot peppermint tea to calm the gas pains, and it worked! I had a BM the next morning and there was no pain with it...just a normal BM.

Finally got released . I took 2 percocet before geting in the car, but they did absolutely nothing for me, but my pain wasnt that bad anyways. BUT what I should have done was gone to the restroom and emptied my bladder before leaving. A full bladder, or even half full one, bouncing around in there is painful. We finally had to pull over at a gas station...yes...a gas station to use the facilites. I had on my gown and robe with my bright red arm bands...what a site to behold. My DH helped me outta the car and I found the restroom...I had my bactieral wipe ready! There was NO soap in the restroom besides a greasy bar of LAVA and a brillo pad on a tray! EEK...I went straight to the car and washed myself down with the rest of my wipes. The rest of the ride was breeze, no pain at all.

Been home a few hours now and I actually feel pretty good. Took a warm shower...changed my estro patch...and put on pretty PJ's. I sleeping in the recliner for a few nights. Our bed is just too tall and too soft for me to get out of on a good day, so my heated recliner that I nap on will have to do! LOL.

Ok...thats my story!

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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."