SAH-BSO - w/epidural - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

		HysterSisters > Abdominal Hysterectomy Stories Articles
SAH-BSO - w/epidural

SAH-BSO - w/epidural

From the Abdominal Hysterectomy Stories Articles List

HysterSisters Articles

Options to Hysterectomy
Pre-Op Hysterectomy
Post-Op Hysterectomy
Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Pelvic Floor
Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
Grief and Loss
Endometriosis
Uterine Fibroids
Hysterectomy Stories
Ask A Doctor

In the recovery room, the nurses, surprised that I was awake and talking, asked me why I chose to have an epidural. I told them it was because of the information I had read on an internet site called Hyster Sisters. They laughed at the clever name, and told me to spread the word about having an epidural. I can’t imagine going through this surgery without having the information the site provided. A hysterectomy could be a tramatic scary ordeal, but I felt informed and in control which made it a positive experience.

I am 49 and post menopausal mother and grandmother. Thursday, November 30, 2000, I had a SAH-BSO, supracervical hysterectomy with an abdominal incision from the pubic bone to the navel, because of a 2.3 pound football sized mass of fibroids that were beginning to cause damage to my left ureter and kidney. I decided to keep my cervix, and although my doctor didn’t recommend it, he was willing to try it. He told me none of the reasons for keeping the cervix have been proven scientifically, (although there are new studies coming out of France). It is just a part of my body I preferred not to lose. I also did not like the idea of cutting the vaginal wall to remove the cervix. The doctor patiently described both procedures to me, with drawings, and let me decide. I only had two days of vaginal discharge and no bleeding.

I was most nervous about the loss of control during the anesthesia. I chose the epidural because I wanted to avoid general anesthesia and the morphine pump. I didn’t want to spend the day groggy and sick. I was worried about the drug given in the IV just before surgery, because things the anesthesiologist told me the evening before on the phone. It was fine. I remember being rolled into another room and thinking it didn’t look like an operating room. (That was the drug taking effect) The next thing I remember is the doctor’s voice saying that I wanted to see the uterus, and someone showing me. Someone asked me to fold my arms to be moved onto the recovery bed, and then I was clear headed and talking to the nurses in recovery and asking the time. It was 8:30 AM and I had gone into surgery at 7 AM.

I felt pretty good the first day. It hurt to move, but I was comfortable and chatted with relatives on the phone. My mom and husband were with me most of the day. I was given Fentanyl into the epidural catheter every three to six hours, as I needed it. It made my mouth dry and my skin itch. I was given Benadryl to stop the itching, which made me a little drowsy. But I didn’t sleep all day. The next day was the worst for pain. One disadvantage of the epidural is that it takes 30 - 40 minutes for the nurses to prepare the meds, and not all the nurses were trained to add the meds to the epidural catheter, which was taped near my neck. Friday morning during a shift change, I had to wait over an hour for meds, when I was in the most pain. Overall I was happy with my choice of anesthesia. Especially when patients around me were groggy and vomiting.

I switched to Percodan pills at the end of day two, and was sent home with 20 Percocet pills. I took one pill every three or four hours, and then two in the evening and before bed. On day five I switched to Ibuprofen. By day eleven I didn’t need anything.

I had read about the problem of gas pains on the Hysters site and I was prepared with Gas-X, prunes, prune juice, fleet enema, fiber cereal, fruit, Milk of Magnesia, and Tums. But none of them worked! A back rub from my DH, after painfully moving onto my side with one knee propped on a pillow, got me out of the hospital. “Did you hear that? We can go home!” A hot bath eased the pain and helped expel the gas at home. After two days of trying everything, I finally called the doctor and he said I needed a return flow enema. You know, the one with the bag and a quart of warm water. That worked to get the gas moving and eliminated the pain, but still no BM for six days. Then all was back to normal.

Even after reading the varied experiences, I had wondered about what I would be able to do after surgery and how much help I would need. I didn’t want my mom to come until after I got home from the hospital, but she insisted on being there for the surgery.She was right.She kept me company, brought me ice, filled my water pitcher, arranged my pillows, etc. She helped me take my first shower in the hospital and bath at home. I couldn’t pick anything up if I dropped it and I couldn’t dry my legs and feet. My husband helped too, but Mom was better. By day five I could squat and bend to reach things on the floor, by day six I could dry my feet, by day seven I could shave my legs, and by day eight I could put my own socks on. The first eight days I needed someone to wait on me as I spent the day in my recliner. On day seven, I was on my own. It hurt to get in and out of the chair, and after too many times, I was exhausted and went to bed at 8:30. On day eleven my DH drove me to the drug store and I made a 15 minute shopping trip. I had to go sit in the car while he paid because it hurt to stand any longer. On day thirteen I walked my dog to the corner and back. My body lets me know if I am doing too much. By day 18 I could go Christmas shopping without discomfort. I am happy with my recovery progress and am enjoying my hibernation during the month of December with good books and movies by the Christmas tree.

Printer Friendly Version

Related Titles

Recommended for Hysterectomy Recovery

The HysterSisters Store has gathered products made specifically for your recovery from surgery. Here are the best sellers we can recommend to help you:

The Great Binder Set - We have made it very easy for you and combined the two best binders and the Silky Sac into a great set to save you money! Our favorite is the Perfect Pocket binder with cold/hot packs!
Deluxe Hyst Prep Set - As you plan, we've gathered the best products into one set for special pricing.
Post-Op Panty - These great panties speed recovery, and reduces scarring. They contain a medical-grade silicone panel over incision to reduce scar's apperance while they provide support to weakened muscles and tissues from surgery. Excellent!
Softest Bra Ever - When you want to wear something, but feel nothing. This is the softest bra ever, in microfiber with no hardware or tags to chafe or dig! The comfort-ribbed underband stays in place gently, so it is perfect for sleeping and lounging.
HysterSisters Accessory Kit - Are you a HysterSisters fan? This set has a fun collection of HysterSisters items.
Very Private Moisture - Once your doctor gives you the green light for intimacy, this is the stuff! This is a best selling product with a high rate of permanent, satisfied, repeat customers! Relieves vaginal dryness instantly, protects tissue & enhances intimacy. "Buy it for the problem, use it for the pleasure."

SAH-BSO - perspective from 10 days post-op

SAH-Good results so far

Find A Doctor Near You

Aram Bonni, M.D. 25108 Marguerite Parkway Suite A-259 Mission Viejo CA 92692 949-916-2100	Aileen Caceres, M.D. Center for Specialized Gynecology/Florida Hospital 410 Celebration Place, Suite 302 Celebration FL 34747 (407) 303-4573	Debra Richardson, M.D. Gynecological Oncology Clinic - SW Med 2201 Inwood Road Suite 106 Dallas TX 75390 214-645-4673
Gretchen Makai, M.D. 4735 Ogletown Stanton Rd MAP II, Ste 2103 Christiana Care Health System Newark DE 19713 302-623-4410	Lauren Streicher, M.D. Gynecologic Specialists of Northwestern, S.C 680 N. Lake Shore Dr., Suite 117 Chicago IL 60611 (312)654-1166	Ellen Wilson, M.D. 5323 Harry Hines Blvd - Dept of OBGYN Dallas TX 75390 214-648-4747
Kym Boyman, M.D. 1775 Williston Rd., Ste. 110 South Burlington VT 05403 802-735-1252	Mark Richey, M.D. 1200 Airport Heights Ste 205 Anchorage AK 99508 9072724443	Tamer Seckin, M.D. 872 FIFTH AVE NEW YORK NY 10065 2129881444

Receive support and resources for your hysterectomy related needs: