Surgery Mon. What to expect???

Hi everyone! I have been searching the web and stumbled across this website. Wow! This is heaven sent!!

I will be having a total abdominal hysterectomy on Monday. I am 32 yrs. old and have very irregular, horrible periods and chronic pelvic infections (no STD's). I had a D&C and an ablation last March but low and behold, I'm one of the few it didn't help. Sooo, here we are a year later and, at this point, I'm ready to be done with it.

If anyone has any advice, please help!! Dr. answered all the questions I had at the time but, looking back, I was a bit in shock. He had just performed an abdominal biopsy in which I passed out and woke up vomiting.

Can't wait to dig in and start reading some other's experiences. I really have no idea what to expect. How long is typical recovery? I'm thinking maybe similar to c-section.?.?.? As it gets closer, I'm really freaking out. PLUS, hubby will be leaving 4 weeks after surgery for the Middle East.

Sincerely,
natasha

I found Hystersisters the same way you did. I love it so much, I'm still here 6 years after my hyst

I had a tah/bso with a bikini line incision. I'd never had a c-section and can't compare the 2. But, I can tell you that the pain was kept pretty much under control; I didn't have any major problems with surgery or recovery. I was released to resume normal activities at 6 weeks post-op. My advice is to follow your dr's orders and listen to your own body. If it hurts , ease off and rest.

You can find tons of info, great hints, wonderful articles and Checkpoints in the Pre-op section by clicking here .
The ladies here are also wonderful with sharing experiences, support and hugs.

I'm sending lots of hugs to you and thanks to your hubby for what he's doing to help keep our country great and safe.

Best wishes.

S

I had a TAH on May 6th, almost 6 weeks ago. I put off my surgery for years due to fear of surgery and pain. It was not bad at all. I had never had surgery before. Nothing to compare it to. I worked myself up in my head.
I had the ON Q Pain Buster Ball inserted into my incision after my surgery. It helped numb me. I am allergic to everything incluing latex. I did fine but did have a reaction to the white medical tape. No biggie. I had a diludid PCA pump. I only used it like 4 or 5 times. I had a torodol shot like 4 times for pain. I used nothing at home but ice and my heating pad.
I had 30 staples and a vertical incision from one inch above my belly button down.
I did have bad insomnia. I just watched tv. I did get lorazepam if i needed it for anxiety and sleep. I didnt use it. The first 2 weeks i just was sore and hunched over when i walked. The muscles were tight and tender. I was also weak in my legs so i didnt really walk or do anything. My bed was my best friend. LOL! I also got a weird rash on my bottom. I didnt know what it was. Turned out i had a yeast infection from my 2 antibiotics i had at the hospital. Id never had one...especially on my B*TT CHEEKS!!!!
Dont be suprised if you get a discharge post op, as some women do. I did too. Light spotting.
By week 4 i was up and around really well. I just had weird burning and pulling pains from the internal healing. I still get that at times and still dont lift anything above 2 or 3 pounds. I wanna heal right.
The difference from week one to week four is huge...so you should be fine. Just listen to your body. I think the first 2 to 3 weeks were healing the incision, and the next several months heal your insides. I only have my right ovary left. I had a huge uterus with fibroids and a bad left ovary with an endometrioma. I was in pain always. I also bled tons and had bad anemia. I dont regret it at all......
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a successfull easy surgery.

Thank you both SO much! I have found a wealth of information here!! I only wish I had found this sooner! My husband is WONDERFUL but he has NO IDEA what I'm going through!! Thanks again!! =)

Natasha

Im so thankful my parents live with my hubby and i. My mom has cooked for me 3 meals a day since i got home. This is the last week shes cooking for me. Ill be 6 weeks next week.
My Husband kept trying to compare my surgery to his hip surgeries. He had rods inserted into his hips. He said he was much worse than me cause he couldnt walk for a few weeks. He used crutches. This wasnt a competition.
He had no idea what i was going thru. Loosing part of who i was, and a huge incision that was and still is a reminder that i had major surgery.
I kept reminding him that having abdominal surgery is different all the way around. You can easily pull something and bleed seriously. There are so many possible complications with surgery like this if you dont relax. Im lucky as i dont work. I stay home, so i take it easy everyday.

Hi and Welcome. This site as you will come to find out is AWESOME. I am having a TAH/BSO on 6/24. . I did have a c-section, but I am told that you can not compare the two. I have been told recovery takes about 8 weeks. (no lifting for that whole period of time) I look forward to reading how you are doing. Good luck with your upcming surgery