LAVH: What do I need to have done before I go into the hospital and after questions

wow! Thank you HysterSisters for all the responses with helpful hints in preparing and for afterwards too.
There is so much to do, but I know most of it will get done and the rest will be left for my family to handle. I'm grateful they will be here to help.
All of your suggestions are so important to know about.

Thank You all so much!!!!

I am having LAVH on 8/23/12. Im scared but reading all your experiences, suggestions, advices helps me alot!!! Now I have an idea what to do, what to prepare before my "big day".

THANK YOU, SISTERS!!! <3

I just want to thank you all so very much. I have been so busy trying to get things done around here I had not even had the chance to get back on here to check what you all had replied until now. I have had insomnia so badly since learning I had to have this surgery.. Only been getting maybe a couple to maybe three hrs of sleep a night. It's 4 am now and still not able to sleep.
The closer to the date the more scared I get. I have heard people that live around me say this is going to be the worst pain that I will ever be in and you'll know it's not there.. you feel the emptiness in your gut.
Guess it's time for me to stop listening to the old ladies on my street..lol
My oldest had an accident on thursday and we are tying to get his car fixed so he won't be needing rides while I am down. Just so much going on I guess.
By the time the surgery comes I'll be ready to be knocked out at this rate..
The pointers you have posted are great and I am going to try and get it all taken care of before I go to the hospital.
Now just to figure out how to keep my chihuahua off my belly.
I would also like to get some info on how to handle it when my family brings over small children when they come to visit. I have two great-nieces that every time they see me they scream for me and want me to hold them. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but I know I won't be able to hold them even though I know I will want to.
I know I am rambling but so many things running through my head and just thought I would ask.
Thank you ever so much,
Deanna

Dedesunshine--talk to your doctor about your insomnia. This is very common before surgery; I was able to get some meds to help me sleep at night. I felt it was very important to be well rested before surgery so I would be in the best physical and mental condition.
As for pain, I talked to my doctor before surgery and let him know how scared I was of pain. I also talked to anyone who would listen the day of surgery. I was fortunate that my pain was very well managed immediately after surgery and during my recovery. That said, everyone's experience is different, but I feel that the discussion helped. Good luck to you!

So many of us are having surgery around the same time! I'm scheduled for a daVinci on August 20th and just joined this site a few hours ago. I wish I'd found it sooner but am glad to have it now. It's going to help me a ton in the coming weeks / months.

Good luck to us all

	Quote:
Originally Posted by dedesunshine I just want to thank you all so very much. I have been so busy trying to get things done around here I had not even had the chance to get back on here to check what you all had replied until now. I have had insomnia so badly since learning I had to have this surgery.. Only been getting maybe a couple to maybe three hrs of sleep a night. It's 4 am now and still not able to sleep. The closer to the date the more scared I get. I have heard people that live around me say this is going to be the worst pain that I will ever be in and you'll know it's not there.. you feel the emptiness in your gut. Guess it's time for me to stop listening to the old ladies on my street..lol

Deanna -

Definitely don't listen to those old ladies on the street! I've just had a TAH, and I feel little pain. Coughing and laughing are the only time it really hurts. And if it weren't for the scar, I would not know anything was missing. Other than having a flatter tummy, I don't notice that my insides feel any different. Certainly not empty!

I've read here that people with pets and small children should be armed with their tummy pillows at all times to protect their stomachs. Seems like the kids, at least, could be told that Auntie's tummy hurts right now, so she can only handle small hugs. I'm not sure if it's that easy to reason with chihuahuas.

Anyway, I'd second everything the other posters said about preparation. Have lots of food prepared--or buy cans of soup, applesauce, tv dinners, whatever--and get your cleaning and laundry done.

The hospital supplied pretty much everything I needed for my stay--gown, robe and even socks with little stickies on the feet. I brought my own hairbrush and toothbrush and paste, but, honestly, I only used them a couple of times.

I put some books on tape on an MP3 player to zone out to while I was laying in the hospital bed. Still use it. I also brought an eye mask with me for times I wanted a nap during the day or while the room lights were on.

I logged my meds and usage of my breathing toy (I.S.), and whatever was said to me by doctors on a small notebook next to my bed.

I'm freakish about germs, so I brought along hand sanitizer and asked anyone about to touch me if they'd washed or sanitized (the nurses were fine with that. The hospital I went to even encourages patients to do that). I also had my very sweet boyfriend wipe down the bedrails, bedside tray, toilet, and anything else people were likely to touch with sanitizing hand wipes.

For the ride home, I put my mini-pillow pet pillow under my seat belt and also bought a round pillow--like the kind you see people use for hemorrhoids--to sit on. Made the ride much smoother. You could probably also use a u-shaped neck pillow like people use for sleeping on airplanes. I use this pillow any time I'm sitting, even now.

I also prepared a will, a durable power of attorney and a health care directive.

Best thing I did for myself, though, was to get in shape as best I could before the surgery. I did arm, leg and core strengthening exercises, plus some jogging. I think this has made a huge impact on my recovery.

Last thing: turn a blind eye to the mess that accumulates after you're home and relax..you have only one chance to heal, after all!!

Best of luck to all of you. The waiting is the worst part.

You all don't know how all your replies have helped me. I have decided not to walk up the street for the next little while... Boy, in my area news travels fast and the older women on the street would come out and tell me their horror stories. One lady ( I love her but her stop button don't work anymore) Told me that if you don't have a uterus, tubes, cervix, and ovaries you're not a woman anymore... I came home and cried my eyes out. I have been trying to walk to get my stamina up and to relax me but have stopped doing that now. Just getting my housework done is going to be exercise enough. I have been down for so long that I have let way to many things go and I have to get it done before I go in because I will have lot's of people coming in and out and this house has got to be in good order or that will drive me insane them seeing it this way.
Thanks for everything and Good luck to each and every one of you. I will be taking my computer with me to the hospital and will try and check in if I have enough mental capacity to type..lol

Thank you to all the wonderful responses on this thread. Good luck to all on their upcoming surgeries, mine is in 12 days.

What specifically would be in a good diet after surgery to prevent the constipation I've heard about? Should I start it before surgery and even the stool softeners?

Mushroom2012, you certainly thought of everything to make it as good an experience as possible. I'm glad you posted all your great ideas. Thank you!

Deanna, Keep reading these posts to help you prepare. I know they are helping me and they are a good source from ladies up to date on how things are done today and what is best for recovery. Everyone is different and has different circumstances to deal with, but I feel that I can always find at least one thing out of every post I read that brings me comfort and knowledge to help me at this time. Good luck to you!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by pinkaxel I hear ya, I'm not used to being down either. I have 3 at home, that start school a week after my surgery. I had my pre-op today. I am 33 and totally ready to not be in daily pain. I'm ready for the surgery, but nervous for the recovery. I am a planner and want everything to be ready at home for my husband and kids. Good luck to you too!

I see you are in the south like me, trying to organize the kids as well. Registration would fall on my castle day for all 4.... Lol looks like my mom will be busy....

I'm hoping good preparation is the key! I will be away a week as I'll be in hospital a few days then staying with my aunt for a few days. I've just done all the washing and sorted my wardrobe well, and tomorrow going to set out at least 7 days of clothes for my girls so hubby doesn't have to worry about that part. I've cleaned, so I've just asked him to keep it clean and washing away. I have then hired a friend to come every day for school dropoff and pickup and having her do 3 hours of cleaning a week for me (my usual morning tasks involving lifting like washing, kitchen & dishes, vaccuum). Hubby has Friday and Saturdays off and then planned full playdates for my girls the following Sunday. I've also got help planned for the next few weeks to help cover my business stuff as I run an online clothing website and going through a change with that. I'm hoping I can get back into other PC stuff I do consulting for people as well, soon after my return. I've planned it down to every day, so I hope it all sticks to my plan ;-P I've shopped in advance too for everything, including about 5 weeks worth of cat food and essentials - so I don't have to worry about shopping for the little things in that time!! Hubby's friends at work are making me some frozen dinners too which will be very welcome! My sister's baby is due a few days post-surgery so knowing I won't see him in hospital, I've packed their pressies already and will take them with me so wherever I happen to see them I can give them to her at the time. And I've printed out all my readings for study for the time so I can do those too. All good - planned well - now if it can all just stick to my plan we'll all be good here!!

Good luck in the coming weeks everyone! I look forward to wasting some time chatting rather than working all the time!! (I'm actually looking forward to the mental time off!!)