argh, I don't know the jargon! ;-D

I feel like such a newbie! I don't know what the anacronyms mean ~ for instance, I am having a supercervical abdominal hyst., due to prolapsed uterus and bleeding from polyps, and removal of a grapefruit-sized cyst. Keeping both ovaries and the cervix ( due to research on this very site, thanks so much for all your input, it has really helped in my decisions!!) I am sure there must be some shorter way of putting that, as I have read through all of your posts and see things like ~THO ~ BSO ~ YOU ~ KNOW~ WHAT ~ I ~ MEAN ~. ;-D Anyway, anyone who could help me decipher those (is it anagrams or anacronyms? lol) would just make my day! Also, I am wondering if anyone else shopped around for lower prices on medical facilites as to where to get this procedure done. I did, ( since I don't have any insurance, and therefore want to be a cheapskate, lol) and I was wondering how many days such a surgery would take to recover from? I guess, in other words, how long should I plan to be staying at the hospital for this surgery? ( I would rather just go home and recover there.) Also, my mom wants to come down and help, ( I have 5 kids, so that will be nice) but how long before I can lift things and go up and down the stairs?
The doc said he will make a smallish incision right at the pubic bone, will that still cause the swelly belly? Also I read walking really helps, how far can you reasonably walk the first few days? I know I will be out of the loop for Christmas, but will I be able to bend over and pick up presents by then? ( surgery on the 11th of Dec.) Also, hubby has a work party on the 17th, will I be able to go to that? ( I mean, without too much risk to a happy short recovery,lol) Thanks for all of your time in advance!!!

Here ya go! Abbreviations

I'm not sure how long you'll be in the hospital for your procedure. Anywhere from 1 to 3 days is the average stay for hyst.

I was able to climb stairs when I came home, but the dr. told me to limit this activity, and try to keep it to no more than a couple of times a day.

Your discharge instructions should explain about lifting restrictions, but normally it's no lifting more than the weight of a gallon of milk for several weeks, or at least until your doctor tells you it's okay.

You probably won't be up to a Christmas party at 6 days post op. However, you may feel well enough to at least enjoy Christmas Day at home. Hopefully, your Mom or dh will be able to prepare the dinner, with you assisting, but not lifting.

I'm glad you're getting help from your Mom. With five children, I'm sure you wouldn't get any rest otherwise. BTW, the lifting restriction includes small children.