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LAVH with BSO and Monarch Sling 4/10/09
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My story started with a trip to the GYN in May 07 for incontinence problems when I laughed, sneezed etc. He agreed that surgery was needed and since I also had heavy bleeding and increasingly difficult periods he suggested a vaginal hysterectomy at the same time.
I chose July 3rd so that my husband would only need to take surgery day off work and then he'd already have the 4th off to pick me up.
Morning of the 3rd I created my last pre-operation post to Hyster-Sisters then headed to the hospital. HS has been a godsend since making my decision. It's so hard to explain to someone who hasn't gone through this as to what I was feeling and how special it was to have a group of women who were supportive, had the same fears as me and just as importantly, needed my support and advice too!
I had such a nervous stomach beforehand that I had a bit of diarrhea (sorry for the TMI) and was worried about "going" on the table. They said not to worry, they had seen it all. My stomach issues were not only due to the surgery but also due to a major family crisis that happened days before the surgery. I won't go into details here but some of you may have seen my pre-op post titled "possible postponement - brothers stabbed".
My doctor really wanted to do a spinal but with the new found confidence I'd gotten from this site I was strong with my decision to go with the general anesthesia. The idea of a needle in my spine was just too much and I realized that although it may seem silly to the doctors, a lot of other women felt the same way. They put some relaxing medicine in my IV and then I remember the mask going on and taking deep breaths. Next thing I knew I was in recovery.
I woke up with not much pain at all. Nothing more than menstrual cramps and a bit of a sore throat from the tubing. I asked for morphine but I could have made it without it.
I was moved to a really nice room in the birthing wing. It was huge and had a couch! The vaginal packing was causing a lot of pressure and I was worried that I still had a touch of diarrhea. The nurses were really nice and told me not to walk to the bathroom and if I had an accident in the bed then so what. Again, sorry for the gross details!
My blood pressure was super low (80's over 50's) for the whole time I was in the hospital so I was pretty dizzy. I think that may be why they didn't encourage me to do any walking around. I just laid around watching TV and reading posts on here.
The next morning they took out the vaginal packing. This was not very pleasant but they said mine was not put in the "usual" way so it was a little more difficult to remove than normal. It wasn't really painful but some stretching. Then they filled my bladder with saline via the catheter, removed the catheter and had me go to the bathroom. I had no problems going right away. Yeah! I was so worried I would need to self catheter at home that this was a huge relief for me. IV came out next and then all there was to do was wait for the doctor to do a visit and let me go. Because of my low blood pressure they asked if I wanted to stay another night but being the 4th of July I really wanted to go home.
I came home, rested a while and then went to a friends to celebrate the 4th. Yes, you read that right. I went to a friends within a few hours of getting out of the hospital. Honestly, besides being groggy from the pain meds I was feeling pretty good. I really didn't need the meds either but was taking just in case.
I had my first BM just a few minutes ago which was another huge relief considering some of the horror stories I've heard from other ladies. It does help a lot to relieve the lower pubic pressure. So now it's 15 minutes after the official ending to July 4th and I'm typing my story! Looking back now the whole thing happened so fast even though I remember thinking the day would never come.
Things I learned:
Best things to bring to the hospital were my blanket (they let me take it all the way into the operating room with me), pillow and laptop (used it to read Hister Sisters, watch movies and listen to the radio).
It's my body and I have the right to what ever kind of anesthesia I want! Don't let them try to make you feel badly one way or another.
Every body is different and although the stories of other sisters are very helpful and may be similar, don't think yours will be exactly the same.
Husbands can be distant and apparently unsupportive before surgery but as soon as it's over and their duties start they can rise to the occasion and remind you of why you love them so much. I think it's the emotional stuff before hand that freaks them out but when it comes to actually doing tasks it makes them feel needed and they can immediately understand how it helps us.
Stay strong fellow sisters who are either waiting for your day to come or who are still working through recovery.
love - sandra
Related Titles
LAVH with BSO and Monarch Sling 4/10/09
Susan D. Hunter, M.D.
626 Ed Carey Dr
Harlingen TX 78550
956-428-4868 |
Linda Green, M.D.
3001 Coral Hills Dr., Suite 300
Coral Springs FL 33065
954-341-2916 |
David Mainman, M.D.
Desert Bloom Obstetrics & Gynecology
6452 E. Carondelet Drive, Suite A
Tucson AZ 85710
520-885-5300 |
David Shifrin, M.D.
3001 Coral Hills Dr., Suite 300
Coral Springs FL 33065
954-341-2916 |
Christina Ellis, M.D.
600 E. Marshall St. Ste. 205
West Chester PA 19380
610-903-6200 |
Sherry L Neyman, M.D.
Renaissance Women's Group
12201 Renfert Way Ste 200
Austin TX 78758
512-425-3875 |
Danielle J Jimenez-Flores, M.D.
4324 N McColl
McAllen TX 78504
956-630-0240 |
David Zisow, M.D.
2005 Rock Spring Rd Ste. 3
Forest Hill - Baltimore MD 21050
410-879-1139 |
Kym Boyman, M.D.
1775 Williston Rd., Ste. 110
South Burlington VT 05403
802-735-1252 |
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