Surgery Monday

I'm new here, so thankful that I found you just in time. My surgery is Monday - two short days. Yikes. I'm more nervous and anxious than I thought. I am having the da vinci hysterectomy and he is removing my last ovary, tubes, cervix, and doing a bladder sling. At pre-op the nurse said that I may go home with a catheter. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm also concerned about the cervix - does it change my sex life? Thank you.

I started doing the nervous pacing, nervous eating, nervous cleaning bit yesterday after the hospital called with my arrival time. 5:30 Monday morning! Yeesh!

I'm having a lap, and she's taking everything but leaving the cervix.

It shouldn't harm your sex life - if anything, from what I've heard from friends - it makes things even better.

Good luck!!

I went home with a cath. for 8 days. I had a larger cath. bag on at the hospital when I came out of surgery.

Before I was discharged from the hospital my nurse brought me a smaller leg bag to take home. This was great because I used the big bag at night so I didnt have to get up in the middle of the night to drain it and the smaller bag that I could hide under clothing when I had company or had to go to an appointment. So ask for both bags before you leave the hospital.

I also suggest sensitive baby wipes to clean your self at the cath sight. oh, and have the nurse show you how to drain it. Its easy to drain but my first time draining it I didnt clamp it well and sprayed urine around, Its funny to me now, but at the time I cried.

Sorry I don't have any experience coming home with a catheter....

I can, however, speak a bit about the cervix. To be honest, I didn't know I had a cervix before, and I don't know that it's gone now.

Now, there are as many different opinions on this subject as there are hysterectomy patients. Some will say that their orgasms feel different or or less intense. It's a very personal thing. As for me, I don't feel that it made a difference to my sex life.

Best wishes as you make your preparations!

The catheter stories are different from person to person. When they took mine out the next morning after surgery it took me awhile to sort of figure it out but I was able to pass enough urine and go home without one.

I think the best plan is just to know that is a possibility and if you need to go home catheterized there is nothing you can do about it anyway so don't worry!

I also traded my cervix for a vaginal cuff and can't tell the difference. It did take some time and care to get sex life back to normal...lots of repairs to heal! Just take your time!

Thank you all so much!

I am 6 weeks post davinci hysterectomy. My catheter came out the next day but I did not have a bladder sling - that might be the difference. All I can tell you is that I feel Great! Better than I have in a very long time! I can honestly say the pain I had after the surgery was minimal - almost a non issue. Try not to worry about the actual surgery - it will be over before you know it! The one night in the hospital was not great but not awful either. Almost as soon as I got home I felt better each day. I started taking walks on day 3 and that felt great. Drink lots of water and rest and let your family and friends pamper you - you will do great. I have no regrets at all - I feel better in every way! Best wishes!