Abdominal Hysterectomy: TAH/BSO - Doing Great

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Abdominal Hysterectomy: TAH/BSO - Doing Great

Abdominal Hysterectomy: TAH/BSO - Doing Great

Date : 12-08-2007 - 11:23 AM - Readers : 508

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Dear Sisters:

I am 48-years-old, and I had my TAH and oopherectomy (removal of both ovaries) on this past Tuesday, December 4th. I have had very painful periods from day one and was diagnosed with endometriosis in 1986. This past summer I had a period that lasted for 2 months with cramping. I had a pelvic ulrasound last summer that showed everything was normal. I had done all the hormone treatments over the past 15 years, including depo provera, which I wouldn't recommend to anyone. I had started having mild hot flashes this past April.

My friend Sandy told me about HysterSisters and this site is great!! The preop tips and info for my DH was right on time! I did very well after coming out of anesthesia, I usually get very nauseous, but I had IV meds and also a patch behind my ear and it worked. I only threw up because the nurses forgot to tell me, or I didn't understand, that I was only supposed to eat ice chips and not drink the water. So, all of the water came back up, which wasn't too bad (at least no chunkie stuff!) After the cath was removed the next day, I was able to go pee in the bathroom and it wasn't too bad. Boy did I fill up that container they use to measure my output.

The two criteria for going home was to pee and pass gas through the rectum. I'm glad I had my Gas X because it helped me to belch gas that was caught in my stomach. The first time I passed gas rectally, it was very painful, but got a little better with each "poot".

I had not been on estrogen prior to my operation, but my doc said he would give me one post-op. I had to ask if I had it applied, and it wasn't there, so they gave me one. For some reason it came off when I showered yesterday. Thank God I haven't felt any severe flashes yet. I'll call my doc if I do.

I was able to take a shower the next day and wash my hair, it felt so good, and was to continue going to the bathroom with a little assitance.

I had the choice of having my staples removed before discharge or wait for my pre-op appt. I chose to have them removed at the castle. They replaced the staples with steri-strips. It felt good to get out the bed and do a couple of slow laps around the hallway. I did have a slight back ache from the anesthsia, so I wa grateful when I could sit up.
The worst thing that happened is that I was continuing to have a very bad cough and wheezing that kept me up the first night I was home. I called my surgeon and primary doc and was able to see my primary doc first. The nurse practioner gave me a nebulizer treatment (with albuterol) there in the office and sent me home with one and called in a prescription for cough medicine and medicine for the nebulizer. I am feeling much better and last night was I slept much better. I am not one to suffer in silence, and I'm glad that I made the call.

The stool softeners weren't working fast enough for me, and since I have a history of constipation, I had a friend get me some prune juice. After sipping about 12 ounces, an hour later, I had sucess! Passing the bowel movement was less painful than passing the gas.

It is now Saturday December 8th and, Praise God, I am doing great. I believe that I did so well because I had so many people praying for me. My prayer group at church laid hands on me and prayed and I was also surprised with a contingent on the morning of my surgery at 6:00 am!

I hope all of you getting ready for your procedures do as well or better than me! Just remember to take it easy and don't overdo it! I plan on taking my full 6-8 weeks for recovery. Also, my swellyband feels great!

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