dVH/RALH: Worried about post-op

I am having robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, with removal of my uterus and cervix, this Thursday. My dr is going to drain some cysts on my right ovary as well. I have early cervical cancer and multiple fibroids. I respect my doctor and trust him, but he really didn't give me a lot of information. He just said this surgery is a cinch. In fact he gave me my post-op pain med prescription this past week; only 15 pills (5mg). He says that's all I need.
I was in the ER last month with severe abdominal pain. A CT showed my uterus is pressing on my colon and bladder. Is this surgery really easy like my doctor says? He said I should take it easy for a couple of weeks, but the recovery no big deal. I've never had any major surgery, so the closer the date gets the more anxious and nervous I am. I have great support from my husband and daughter, I just don't want to be in a lot of pain with no relief (my dr is not a believer in pain meds)

I had da Vinci on Monday. Had my uterus and cervix removed. I've had a couple other surgeries and this has been the easiest. I was only on ibuprofen for a couple of days. I'm walking 1-2 miles a day with no pain. I feel great! My husband and I are going out with friends tonight. I highly suggest da vinci!

I don't know about it being a "cinch". I am on strict no more than 10lbs weight restriction for 6-8 weeks and nothing in the vagina. I'm sure this 10lb limit includes pushing and pulling as well. You only get one chance to heal correctly. Take it easy. On the same side of the token... Gyns do a lot of the surgeries. In that regard, it's a cinch but still major surgery.

Everyone heals differently, and experiences different pain levels for different times. You really do not know how you will react until you are there. But, you can always get more pain meds if you need.

You will probably have restrictions - no lifting anything over 10 lbs for six weeks is quite common (a gallon of milk weighs about 8.5 lbs). And you will probably need help around the house with cooking, cleaning, dishes, shopping, driving, etc. for a while.

The key to recovery is to rest, rest, rest, and above all listen to your body. It trumps brain for this time. Your body will know when it has to rest, and when you can venture forth a bit more.

Good luck to you

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Celeste73 I am having robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, with removal of my uterus and cervix, this Thursday. My dr is going to drain some cysts on my right ovary as well. I have early cervical cancer and multiple fibroids. I respect my doctor and trust him, but he really didn't give me a lot of information. He just said this surgery is a cinch. In fact he gave me my post-op pain med prescription this past week; only 15 pills (5mg). He says that's all I need. I was in the ER last month with severe abdominal pain. A CT showed my uterus is pressing on my colon and bladder. Is this surgery really easy like my doctor says? He said I should take it easy for a couple of weeks, but the recovery no big deal. I've never had any major surgery, so the closer the date gets the more anxious and nervous I am. I have great support from my husband and daughter, I just don't want to be in a lot of pain with no relief (my dr is not a believer in pain meds)

I've had three abdominal surgeries to date (2 vertical sections and a bikini-cut hyst last week). First of all, any abdominal surgery is going to hurt. A lot of stuff is moving around. When you wake up in recovery, you will probably be shocked by the pain, but just breathe and tell yourself the worst is over! Talk to the nurses before you go in about pain meds. It's not good for your body to try to deal with that without help. You'll actually heal faster if you're on good meds. I'm 9 days post and alternating 600ml of ibuprofen with vicodin and doing really well. Everyone's different, but be sure they give you what you need and don't be afraid to demand it. Tell your husband you need him to be your advocate. Mine stayed with me in my room the first couple of nights and my mom stayed with me the first two days. Both of them helped me a lot and got the nurses when I needed them. Sometimes you need someone to speak for you and they can't be shy about doing it! But bottom line, I'm up and about, relatively pain-free, and recovering really well a week out from surgery. Just do your best to take each moment, each day as it comes and tell yourself you'll be a week out before you know it! Really! And every day it gets a little better. I'll be praying for you!

Oh wow. I didn't have di Vinci,I had a total abdominal hysterectomy. For me, it's not the incision that hurts, it's the inside that's causing my pain. That's funny that a man would say it's a cinch... He doesn't have a uterus. Sounds pretty insensitive. It's a major surgery

I had daVinci and mine was a cinch as far as no complications during the actual surgery. My recovery was long and difficult though.I needed prescription pain meds for almost 3 weeks, then Motrin after that for a few more weeks.

Thank you all so much for sharing; I appreciate the words of wisdom. I am really glad to have found this site. I know the surgery itself will be fine, I just don't want to be in miserable pain (although pain is expected, I don't want to be crying in pain). I'm thankful that I am a candidate for the robotic-assisted surgery, since the recovery is shorter than abdominal. I am taking 6 weeks off of work, because I'm not going to push it. Bless you all!