LSH, Easier Doesn't Mean Easy

I had a LSH on Oct. 27. My doc had told me how the procedure allowed for an easier recovery and that I could return to my job as a teacher in 1 or 2 weeks. As a fit 48 year old ( cardio workouts 4x week and weight lifting 2x plus biking and kayaking when possible) I thought that for sure I would only need one week off. I diligently planned for my substitute teacher for one week only.

BOY WAS I WRONG!!! There was no way I could have returned to work. I took one more week off and went back to school at 2 weeks and two days. I was most fortunate to have a sub who offered to plan the second week for me so that I did not have to drive to work and spend hours planning my lessons. That first day back was difficult at best. Now on week 3, I am better but definitely not 100% and can go on very short walks before low dull aching occurs. I have gone nowhere near my gym!

I have struggled emotionally with my progress and have felt depressed at times. I am a single mom with two teenage sons. My life w/o recovery is challenging at best. In retrospect, I wished I had asked for more help. Being on my own, I am used to being the ONE who takes care of all.

One of my mistakes was at 2 weeks, I went grocery shopping by myself at Winco where you bag your own groceries. Wrong choice! By the time I got home, I felt awful and was hunched over. The next day was my first day back at school.

As I have processed my experience, I realized I should have planned for this better and set up more support for myself and sons. Guess I have too much pride. I did have help from my boyfriend. He took 3 days off from work to be here for me but he lives 45 minutes away and could only do so much. When he could, he was very helpful and wonderful.

Moral of the story: Easier does not means EASY!

I'm sorry you're having a bad time of it. A good bit of blame does lie at your doctor's feet for giving what I, and I'm sure many others, think is bad advice. I had a LAVH, and before hand my doctor said no driving for two weeks, and no heavy lifting for six! So, how can you go back to work in one week if, by what most doctors say, you can't yet drive?

Totally understand the pride part. It's just me and the hubby, but I'm used to being very independant and doing things on my own. Just missing two or three (or four) extracurricular committee meetings in the next two weeks is darn near killing me! I did too much yesterday, too, thinking that riding in the car wouldn't be a big deal, but geting in and out a couple of times to pick up books at the library and embarrassing items from the pharmacy wouldn't be a problem. I'm more sore today than I was yesterday!

Teaching is hard work, too! My hat's off to anyone that can do it. There's a lot more bending, stretching, and lifting to teaching than anyone would think.

Katrina

I had a LSH on 10/7 (6 weeks ago today!) and this is really one of my first posts SINCE the surgery. I had a very difficult time with the entire process. I am FINALLY back to work full time. I tried going back, part-time, at two weeks and couldn't. I could barely walk and was very shaky. I ended up going back to work part time at 3 weeks and still it wore me out.

BUT, I have a very very very low pain tolerance.

No, an easy surgery doesn't mean an easy recovery.

I had an LSH/BSO on November 3 and know exactly what you mean. Even though it's an easier surgery & recovery, that's the only thing easy. As my doctor told me, the method of surgery is the only thing that is different from the abdominal surgery. The stuff taken out is the same and the internal healing process is the same as with the TAH. I went back to work after my post-op visit on Nov. 12. I too planned for only one week away from work and the doc released me at this post op appt with limitations (lifting, etc) but felt working would be fine if I wanted to since I have an office position. I made a big mistake doing this, I crashed physically and emotionally after two days. I began bleeding and felt that taking a deep breath was more than I could manage.

Fortunately my boss is wonderful about the entire thing and said he felt I was back in the office too soon, and for too long each day. Now I'm at 1/2 work days and find it tolerable and I'm not as exhausted. I can manage slow walks for exercise each day, but I'm not anywhere near the level of exercise I was before the surgery and feel that it will be awhile before I am.

Hats off to those that have had a LSH and bounced right back to regular activities. I am 41, fit and in great shape physically, very active, and I can tell you this surgery has been much more difficult that everything I read before and I imagined it would be.

Jad, you were a bit ambitious to tackle grocery shopping at Winco at your 2 week mark and then to return to teaching the next day, wow. I didn't even drive until my 3rd week after lavh/bso and I sent dh with a list to do the Winco run. I don't think it really matters what type of hysterectomy you have it's still major surgery and our bodies are shocked those foreign objects were poking around and removing organ parts. I. hope your doing better each week and your energy level returns soon. I still think life is better after hysterectomy!

Your absolutely right. My DR told me to lay low for a week. But it was week three before I felt like getting out of the house. I was so exhuasted all the time. And still got really sore from standing or walking around for too long. It was week 5 that I really started feeling like myself again.

Take care of yourself and it'a okay to ask for help. I also have a hard time asking for help.

Lynn
47yo
lsh 9/23/08

I am so there with you. I had my LSH on October 24th and came back to work on November 10th. I figured since my c-sections went so well that this would be nothing.

I don't doubt that this was easier than a TAH - but man that was just way too soon. Last week I passed out twice and was in pain all week. This week is just so much better. I am not as tired, no where near as dizzy, and I have energy to go for walks again (as well as very little pain).

Everyone was like, "Oh, it was just laproscopic." UGH.. I at least have a husband to help out - but I have four young kids (8, 6, and 2 year old twins) and my oldest is autistic - so I was so beat.

Emotions were also rough. Sad a lot of the time (the no more baby thing) and really feeling like I had to do everything but not being able to.

PM me if you ever want to comiserate.

BTW - I too grocery shopped at week two (14 days after my surgery) UGH! Two carts and two kids for 3 hours (I shop for the entire month at one time). I was in so much pain for the next two days!

Angel

So glad to see other ladies posting on the lsh. Had mine 10-29-08, and felt pretty good, but then ended up with a wound infection a few days out and had to have the added fun of a Ct scan and an antibiotic. I am feeling ok, but still get tired and weak. My stomach hurts to touch. Yes, it was a much easier surgery, but we DO need to rmember that we had the same things done on the inside as other surgeries, and there is MUCH healing that needs to take place! I had both ovaries removed and my bod is slowly reminding me of that! WooHoo!

I had an LSH on 10/8 and went back to teaching high school chemsitry on 10/20. I wasn't ready either, but my kids were ready to revolt (or were they just revolting??) Anyway, it got better, and I don't hurt any more, but my stamina is gone...I am wiped out at the end of the day.

Ladies,

Thanks so much for the responses!!! It was good for me to hear your stories. I appreciate it.

I started spotting the other night and have continued over the last few days. My doc said that it is most likely due to too much activity and to monitor it. I don't know why but it is a little unnerving.
Anyone else experiencing this?