TVH - the long road back - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TVH - the long road back

TVH - the long road back

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I had a TVH on May 4, 2000, after about two years of unpredictable and heavy bleeding. I had several fibroids and hyperplasia. My gyn told me that the HRT I needed for early stages of osteoporosis would probably worsen the bleeding. So I was relieved to get the recommendation for a hysterectomy.

One of the hardest parts was the pre-op stage. Beginning two days before, I was asked to drink 2 bottles daily of a laxative. I coudn't be too far from the toilet! I don't think many doctors require this, fortunately, as itleft me feeling worn out by the day of surgery.

My surgeon was pretty confident that he could sucessfully perform a TVH because my uterus was not enlarged very much and I had had three vaginal deliveries. He succeeded and I was in my hospital room within a few hours. In the recovery room, I was put on a drip pain medication that I kept for the next 16 hours. It was fun!!! I clicked away happily. At the first twinge of nausea, I asked for neausea medication, which was effective. Truthfully, it didn't hurt that much after the first few hours, and I took no pain meds at all, not even aspirin, within three days of the operation.

The problems started with coming home the day following surgery and weaning from morphine to tylenol with codeine. Each of these can cause nausea. I also had a distended belly, full of gas. This too can cause nausea. Also, I started taking Premarin the evening I returned home. Another nausea-inducer, at least at first. A quadruple whammy! Was I sick!! I got a presciption for 15 precious aunti-nausea pills which I used over the next several days. Now, at 3 weeks post, I still try to stick to bland foods, and I have lost a lot of weight. So your girls with a glass stomach, like me, may want to ensure you have some antinausea meds on hand before you get home from the hospital.

My recovery has otherwise been smooth, but slow. Each day I do more, but it was nearly ten days before I felt ready to drive. I was wobbly for several days, I had a "fuzzy brain" for two weeks, and I am still forgetful and tire very easily. Sex?? Forget it! I returned to my desk job at 2 1/2 weeks, for a half day the first day. Then I alternated one full day with one day of laying on the couch and staring.

My doc says this is slower than normal, so take heart. I hope all you girls will be lucky and back on your feet within days!! Now I look forward to a new chapter in my life. Good luck to all of you!!!!

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Ken Sinervo, M.D. 1140 Hammond Dr., Ste. F6220 Atlanta GA 30328 770-913-0001	Nonnie-Marie Estella, M.D. 10 Research Place Suite 520 North Chelmsford MA 01863 978-459-8300	Laurence Orbuch, M.D. 202 Spring Street 2nd Floor New York NY 10012 212-343-3040
John Welsh, M.D. 102 Handley Park Ct Goldsboro NC 27534 919-734-3344	Megan Bird, M.D. 364 SE 8th Ave, Suite 205 Hillsboro OR 97202 503-681-4145	Bruce Pierce, M.D. 2 Princess Road Lawrenceville NJ 08648 609-896-0777
Jennifer Cova, M.D. 7700 Washington Village Drive Suite 210 Dayton OH 45459 937-433-6513	Linda Green, M.D. 3001 Coral Hills Dr., Suite 300 Coral Springs FL 33065 954-341-2916	Betty Gingold Acker, M.D. 2900 E. 29th St Suite 300 Bryan TX 77802 979-776-5602

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