Vaginal Hysterectomy - TVH -Linda's Story

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Vaginal Hysterectomy - TVH -Linda's Story

Vaginal Hysterectomy - TVH -Linda's Story

Date : 04-12-2003 - 11:21 AM - Readers : 4826

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Princess Linda's Story

I am 40 years old with two boys. My surgery was performed on a Monday afternoon and was necessary due to Uterine Prolapse. I was discharged Wednesday afternoon. TWO DAYS.

I had general anesthesia as opposed to an epidural. Estimated length was 2 hours if done vaginally. They couldn't guarantee because it would depend on the amount of scar tissue I had which couldn't be determined until they actually got there. Once they began, not only were they able to continue to do it vaginally, they did not have to do any anterior repair work. My bladder and everything was in a good position. I did have a lot of scar tissue on my fallopian tubes and they 'cleaned that up'. Left the tubes and ovaries intact.

I was not in a LOT of pain when I woke up but I have a high tolerance for pain. I did have a morphine pain drip (with a clicker) that I could control but could not overdose on. I only had it overnight and used it more to get to sleep (I think) than for pain. I came out of my initial stupor and realized that I was actually hungry. Got liquids (soup, Jell-O, popsicles, juice - all tasted REALLY good but then I had not eaten ANYTHING for over 24 hours). I ate, clicked and slept. Each time I woke up I clicked and slept. The machine counts how many times you click (regardless of whether you get a dosage) and although I don't know the count I was told I did very well. I had one friend that clicked 329 times overnight.

After they removed the drip I was given Ibuprofen and Tylenol-3 as needed. The Tylenol helped me sleep (my problem was that I am a stomach sleeper). My recovery went very well. I have 2 children (boys 9 & 11) and they were prepared to help out. Really surprised me but then I've never been away from them. My husband took 2 weeks off (a blessing) and the boys were in school during the day. I felt good most of the time. We went to lunch a few days, a short mall trip, we walked (slow and short distances) and I just lay around resting. That is the big thing...rest AND listen to your doctor. I did everything exactly like she said with almost no complications.

I say almost because my first bowel movement resulted in a clot being passed. No bleeding after that but I was afraid I had broken a stitch. Go with a stool softener and you should be okay there. Also, about a week after I came home I developed a Urinary Tract Infection. Ignored it for 3 days until it became intolerable and called the doctor. Was told this was more the norm with the catheter. So if you develop problems with urination (burning) or a REALLY bad odor, DON'T WAIT to call.

Now my tips and I hope they help. They were passed on to me.

IN THE HOSPITAL

- First and foremost avoid foods that give you gas! This isn't the ordinary kind of gas and it is no laughing matter

- Bring a robe and slippers because they'll have you up and walking quickly. This is the only way to dissipate the gas because you will NOT (I repeat, NOT) be passing it in the usual way. A friend recommended PHAZYME (you can buy it over the counter) and she said it helped her a lot

- Bring some reading material in case you're not a big daytime TV fan

- You will feel like HELL the first day, so you may want to consider telling most people not to visit within the first 24 hours (I felt pretty good and actually had a lot of visitors beginning 8am Tuesday morning and enjoyed the company so I guess this depends on you)

- From a friend...if it happens that they have to cut you, ask for a support belt (that's not its technical name, but that is it's function). It's like a six-inch wide Velcro belt that you put around your lower stomach to support your stomach.

AT HOME

- Pick a room and stay there. Listen to them when they say, "don't do stairs".

- Even if you feel better, don't push yourself. Don't get back into the swing of things too quickly. I tried but then my body told me I was doing too much and I got really achy the next day.

- Take naps, preferably outside if weather permits

- Don't lift anything heavier that a cast iron skillet and don't lift the skillet for six weeks

- Do not sweep or vacuum or any repetitive motion like that for six weeks

- Do not stretch to make a bed for at least two weeks

- Visitors at home are nice, but I got really tired if they were there for more than an hour. It was amazing how exhausting visiting was.

All this may seem old fashion but it helps to make your recovery smoother and quicker and helps you to avoid complications later on. If you feel the need to exercise, WALK but don't do stairs for a couple of weeks. If you have stairs at home, try to make only one or two trips up and down a day.

I know this sounds confining but you won't regret it. Each day you will feel stronger and you won't be in pain, so you will have to carefully watch out for overdoing. You will sleep a lot more but that's okay, you are healing. Remember, your stamina will not be as much as before but it will return. It's been almost 10 weeks for me and I still tire.

After you start feeling better, enjoy yourself! You probably will not get that long a rest ever again. Again I stress, LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR. The restrictions given may seem a bit much but I guarantee if you follow his/her instructions, your recovery will go almost uneventful.

Linda

TVH - 5/18/98

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