I had a LAVH on 4 June, and am doing fine. I really debated about keeping my cervix, but in the end decided to have it removed. There didn't seem to be any compelling reason to keep it, and I had had an abnormal pap smear 9 years ago.
Luckily, my doc didn't require any bowel prep. I got to the Castle at 6:00 for 7:30 surgery, and didn't have a very good experience. DBF and I were sent to a room, where I put on the lovely gown and slipper sox. A nurse came, asked me a few questions, took blood, and put on my "jewelry" (hosp. bracelets.) I sat in that room for about 45 min., then they started to wheel me out. DBF started to follow, but the 2 nurses blocked the door and wouldn't let him out!! Finally I figured out that I was leaving, and he was staying. I had to all but beg the transport guy to let me kiss DBF goodbye!!
I got to the "holding area" which was just a bunch of beds with curtains around them. My IV was started and a nurse asked some questions. Then my nurse anesthetist (CRNA) showed up. What an unpleasant person!! She kept putting things into my IV, and every time I asked her what she was giving me--and every time she got annoyed! I told the CRNA that I didn't want the pre-medication, and that didn't seem to please her either! But, she did respect my wishes. (I don't think she had any choice!) Then my OR nurse came in, and she wasn't much better! I wanted to know a LOT of specifics about positioning/prep, etc., and she wouldn't answer my questions. At one point she said, "If you would just let me ask my questions, maybe you'll get your information." I never did. But, she did tell me they wouldn't shave me. The final insult was around 7:30, when they told me I had to give them my glasses. I'm really near-sighted and begged them to let me keep my glasses, but they were having none of that!! (I had surgery at a different hospital 3 times last year, and each time they allowed me to keep my glasses until I was put under in the OR. I can't tell you what a comfort that is!) The worst part about the glasses is that they then left me sitting there for another 10 min. before they took me into the OR. People were coming up to talk to me, and I had no idea who they were cuz I couldn't see!! ARG!!
I went to the OR at 7:52. I had to move from the gurney to the operating table, and take my covers with me!! That was a feat! Then I had to reposition myself a couple times. The CRNA continued to put stuff in my IV. She had promised she would warn me before she put me under, but I asked her if she was putting me under when she put the first drug in. She got very snippy and told me she had promised to let me know before she did so. At that point I told her to stop being mean, and that I had a right to know what was going into my body. She changed her attitude then, but she also put me under about a minute later!! They had strapped my left arm out at a 90 degree angle to my body, and put a BP cuff on my right arm. They put EKG leads all over my chest, back and sides, and were getting me warm blankets. I'm sure they were messing with my feet and legs, but don't have a strong memories of that. The CRNA told me she was going to give me something to knock me out, and then put the mask over my face. The OR nurse was patting my hand, telling me I was fine and she was right there. The CRNA said that their voices would start to sound far away, and the faces would get smaller--I said "It's happening," and then I woke up in the recovery room!!
Surgery took just over 3 hours. I have 4 abdominal incisions--one in the navel, one over each hip bone, and one in the hair line. (I can't believe they cut there without shaving!!) Boy did it hurt when I woke up!!! The nurse gave me a couple big doses of morphine, and they finally kicked in. My throat was sore and dry, and my lips were dry. I asked for ice chips, but was told I couldn't have any till I got to my room and had my temp. taken. UGH! I stayed in recovery about 1.5 hrs., then was taken to my room. As soon as I got to the door I asked DBF to give me my lip balm!! What a relief.
After I'd moved into my bed (not a very pleasant move!), I asked for ice chips, and the nurse said as soon as she took my temp. I could have some. They were a blessed relief! From then on, things went much better. I had a morphine pump, that allowed a dose every 10 min. I used it quite a bit at first, but dropped down to once every couple hours by nite.
If you Princesses in Waiting have any modesty, throw it out the window!! I didn't get to put on any undies the first day, and at every shift change the nurse had to lift my gown and check the incisions, then check the pad they had put between my legs to see if there was blood. The overnite nurse insisted on wiping the vaginal area--THAT was bit embarassing! The morning nurse gave me a sponge bath, and once again insisted on wiping down below. I'm thinking I could have done that, but maybe they figured I'd be too gentle and not get it cleaned well enough!! It was fairly embarrassing when she cleaned my rear as well!
The nurses on the floor were great!! DBF spent the nite in the uncomfortable recliner, in case I needed something and the nurses weren't attentive enough. NOT a problem. They were very attentive, and I really didn't need much. I had soup, jello and Italian ice for dinner. It actually tasted pretty good--I must have been hungry!! Slept OK. At around ten the next morning they started unhooking me from all my tubes and monitors. First they removed the sequential compression devices from my legs--the compression felt great, but the devices were itchy. Next to go was the nasal canula, followed by the oxygen sensor. Then it was time to remove the catheter!! That didn't feel very good coming out, but it was such a relief when it was removed. I had felt like I had to pee the whole time it was in, and that feeling went away as soon as she took it out. I started to take a walk about 10:20--legs were pretty wobbly after spending 27 hours in bed!! I still had my IV (and morphine pump!), so it was slow going. Gas pains also started about that time.
Doc came as I was strolling, so I turned around. She said I looked good and she had gotten good reports about me all nite. But, since I still hadn't passed gas and was still on IV pain meds., she decided I should spend a second nite. However, my ins. didn't agree!! My doc called me around 4 to tell me I had to go home. She suggested I stay at the Castle til after dinner, then head out. I was discharged around 6:15. Doing pretty well since getting home.
I will say that the vaginal incision only bothered me for about 4 days--the abdominal incisions are STILL uncomfortable.
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