The one question I didn't even think to ask

I knew I would have a TAH with BSO due to severe endometriosis on July 10. My doctor and I discussed that he would have to "cut my tummy", that he would would leave one ovary unless absolutely necessary to take both and that the surgery itself would be difficult because a) he would remove my cervix as I have a history of dysplaisia (SP?) and b) the back of my uterus was basically stuck to my bowel. I did my homework and asked questions about the prcedure and recovery, but the one question I didn't even ask was HOW he would make the incision. I assumed that my incision would be horizontal - it never occurred to me that it would be vertical. And long. I'm not upset - the surgery went very well, I'm on my 5th day post op and am feeling much better than I thought I would be at this point - but I was shocked in the hospital the first time they changed my dressing.

I can tell you from fresh experience:

Take the pain meds the first couple of days - do NOT try to be a hero.

Drink plenty of fluids before and after - the worst thing you can do is be dehydrated. I made sure this didn't happen.

Do NOT push too far too soon. Yeah, I'm only 5 days post op but yesterday I felt pretty perky and took a shower and shampooed and walked around for about an hour then sat at the kitchen table for about an hour and then I crashed for the rest of the day. Lesson learned!

One more thing (i feel nap time coming on!) my doctor told me to help "get things moving" I should take one TBSP of mineral oil and one TBSP Milk of Magnesia each morning and each evening for a few days. Now, mineral oil is quite possibly the worst thing to swallow ever. Ever. But, I can happily report that the "end" result is much worth it. Of course you should ask your doctor, but I can tell you that this is working nicely for me.

Hang in there - I was scared, nervous, questioned my decision, worried, all the emotions you could think of. Listen to your doctor, rest, drink penty of fliuds, allow yourself to recover. You'll do great!

A spoonful of mineral oil’s not quite a spoonful of sugar, is it? Ick! But it’s good to know that’s an option.

I think my doc said it was going to be a bikini cut, but now that I read your posting, I’d better ask again at my pre-op.


Thanks for writing. It’s really great to hear some encouraging words from somebody who’s just been through it!