Recovery differences between Abdominal and Vaginal Hysterectomies

Going into this, I thought I would have an easier recovery because I was having a vaginal hysterectomy. Not cutting through abdominal muscles, I thought meant quicker healing time.

The more I read, the more I see that it is basically the same healing processes. Everyone gets the bloated stomach? Hundreds of internal stitches both types?

Just wondering what exactly what to expect. I know everyone is different, but sheesh, here I thought I would have it easier.

I am getting more nervous the closer it comes.

Chocolover- I had a lavh/bso Nov 22 and I'm doing great. I also had a bladder sling done which left me with a 4 inch incision in my pubic line, that and the holes for the scope are the only things that are sensitive. I have had no pain at all from the hysterectomy at all. I know that I still have the recovery period as an abdominal hysterectomy, but I am so glad that mine could be done vaginally. I feel great. I have followed my Drs. instructions as far as rest and lifting, etc. and I think that this is the way to go.

Do you have a bloated belly? What meds did you take for pain? Sounds like you had a great experience-all things considering anyway! I am glad it went well for you, and hope I can be just like you. ; )

I had an abdominal hysterectomy with a midline, vertical incison.

My friends who had vaginal hysterectomies said I bounced back alot faster than they did.

Suprising!

Sweet Pea

Sweet Pea, I want your secret to a fast recovery also.

Hmmmmm, I would have to say that I did everything I could to try to be in good shape before hand. I tied to get out and walk every night before surgery. And, I am not a workout queen-and I am 43 years old.

On first thought, I have to give credit to an extraordinary surgeon. My surgery turned out to be far more complicated than we had both anticipated. I had to have a myomectomy prior to my uterus being removed due to its size. I had 2 cantelope size fibroids removed first-which resulted in a blood loss of over a liter-they had 2 units ready to give me-fortunately, my hemaglobin was good going into surgery-so I did not have to have a transfusion. Second he found endo that had adhered my ovaries to my lower bowel and resulted in an unplanned BSO.

For recovery, I would say, if you do not need alot of pain meds, avoid them. They slow you down and constipate you. I had a morphine pump for the first 24 hours and then only took 1 Darvocet for pain on night 2-that was it for the narcotic pain killers. I did have a shot of Demerol on night 3 before he removed a drain that was placed in surgery. I also took Ibuprofen every 8 hours around the clock for the first week or so as well as gas meds and stool softners. Drink, drink, drink...juice and water...no carbonated beverages-they will give you gas. Do not drink with a straw either for awhile.

I got out of bed and began walking the day after surgery-although I was woozy, I increased this to the hallway by the end of the day. After 1 week, I was taking short walks around the block-take your cell phone in case you feel weak or faint and need to stop and call someone to get you.

I rented a reclining chair that was easy to get in and out of. I was back in my bed after 1 week. I live alone and had someone stay with me for several days after I came home and then was fine on my own. Having someone running errands take alot off of you.

When I was able to go to the grocery store, I used the motorized cart-to avoid carrying a basket or pushing a shopping cart. I did not, and still have not cleaned my house myself or raked leaves or put up a Christmas tree this year-too heavy-be very guarded with you abdomens!

AVOID LONG SHOPPING TRIPS FOR MANY WEEKS AFTER SURGERY-YOU MAY THINK YOU ARE WELL, BUT YOU ARE NOT! YOU WILL PAY DEARLY FOR IT IF YOU DO.

I had wonderful support from friends and family and attended a healing service @ my church the night before my surgery. Never under estimate the power of prayer.

This website was a tremendous help to me.

And, I am also a nurse -and hopefully am a better nurse than I am a patient. "Attitude is everything" The road has not been easy at times, I still have tenderness and swelling @ my incision site-but on my worst of days, the pain did not come anywhere close to what I experienced every month with my periods. Although I grieve that I will never be a mother-I know it was a necessary thing for me to do.

As I have returned to work, a girdle has helped with pain and support @ my incision site and I am less sore when I wear one.

Again, everyone has been amazed at how well I have done-despite complications. I did fine and you all will too

Best wishes to all of you in your recovery.

Sweet Pea
TAH w/BSO. Vertical incison for giant fibroid uterus weighing 1238 gms. Endo, adeno and adhesions. On Vivelle Dot 0.075

I agree with Sweet Peas that attitude is very important, but that's the kind of person I am everyday. I however took the 2 vicoden that the Dr. told me to take every 4 hours, I did not have a morphine drip or any other pain meds. I took the above-mentioned meds for the first 4-5 days and then cut them back to 1 every 4 hours, I got lots of rest and never felt any pain. I started taking a stool softener the minute I came home from the castle, drank lots of water and nothing else for the first week, I got lots of rest, and still am, my DH is taking care of the house and meals ( he is wonderful ) I haven't been "out" to do much of anything, but went into work for a couple of hours this past Fri., which really wiped me out. I have also been shopping on television alot (retail therapy) for Christmas. Been giving myself facials, playing with new makeup, painted my toes and fingernails, just kind of pampering myself. I haven't felt this good in years!

Wow Sweet Pea. That is amazing you did so well with all you had to endure. I work out 5 or 6 nights a week, so hopefully I will be in good shape for a recovery.

I had thought I would be able to go back to my 'On the Ball' class after 4 weeks, but now I am not sure. We do around 200 crunches 2 times a week, with various arm, leg, back, and glute exercises. Also do spin class 3 times a week. I am also having my knee scoped as I have a torn meniscus, but that will hopefully be better at 3 weeks.

I am just not looking forward to this. I hope I do as well as you are doing Sweet Pea. Thanks for the good thoughts.

Lizastan, do you recommend any type of stool softner? Have not a clue what to get!

Have to agree with the above.....and my doctor told me at my 1 week post-op visit- "you are just tough-if you could have seen what I pulled out of you-you would be amazed at how well you have done."

Well, I had my pictures developed and I was amazed!!!
Sent a disposable camera into the OR. "Oh my gosh" was all I could say when I saw them.

Sweet Pea
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Oh and yes, I did have alot of gas and was very bloated, it took me 3 days to "move". But I didn't have the "swelly belly".