Now Ive got my date for surgery, I am scared

I am due to have my total hysterectomy in 4 weeks. I am keeping my overies because I am only 31 and my doc recommended I keep them. I am scared of what will happen when I am in hospital as I just dont know what to expect. Does anyone have any hints or tips that will make my stay more comfortable and bearable? I know its not going to be easy and I probably sound like a 2 year old, but any advice would be greatfully received. Thank you

Welcome
No you don't sound like a big baby. We were all scared at the prospect of this surgery. For many of us it was the first surgery or major surgery we had ever experienced. There are alot of unknowns. But we can help.
Please visit the pull down menu's on the Home Page. They can give you alot of advice on preparing. Here is the link for some hospital and home care advice.
Advice to a Pre-Op HysterSister- Preparing for hysterectomy
Mostly in the hospital you will be sleeping and resting alot. Just take the pain med's as it important to stay ahead of the pain. For many of us we were able to avoid having much pain by taking the med's as often as possible. If you are on a pain med that doesn't work then by all means ask for something else.
And start walking as soon as they want you to get up and moving. It is very important to walk as soon and as often as you can. it will really help build up your strength and get you on that road to recovery right away. It really makes you feel better too.
I am so glad to hear you are keeping your ovaries. You have a long way to go before menopause and your ovaries should help you feel good for along time.
Keep reading and posting. We are here for you.

Hi Mazz and welcome to Hyster Sisters!

Have you visited the pull-down menus yet? They are on the main page www.hystersisters.com and have wonderful information that helped me out!

You don't say if you are having a TAH or TVH. I had a TAH and kept my ovaries as well. My age and the fact that they weren't diseased and looked okay was the reason for this. My moods were kinda up and down as I didn't really get much sleep after the surgery. I was anxious to get home. I went in for my 2 week check up and was given a RX for Trazodone that helped me sleep. I felt so much better at my 4 week mark, more like me!

Sara

I am four-weeks post-op for TAH. The first surgery I've had in my life (I'm 43 years old)! I had so many questions and concerns about surgery, recovery, post-recovery life, the hospital stay, etc. Thank goodness for the internet and for this site in particular! Having a great doctor was also an enormous help!

While everyone's experience is unique you're bound to find someone on this site who has had a similar experience to yours. At the very least someone who can point you in the direction of information that may be helpful.

In my experience, the first day at the hospital was the worst. This is the day of the surgery. There's the pre-surgery jitters, the prep, and, of course the surgery itself. The good news is you go to sleep and then you wake up and it's done! It's pretty amazing, really. My surgery was finished at about 1:30 and I was moved into my room at 4:00. Request a private room if you can.

The rest of the day I spend drifting in and out of sleep but it was really difficult to get any significant amounts of sleep because this is the day that the nursing staff is very attentive - checking vitals, adjusting or installing various monitoring equipment, asking about the amount of pain felt, etc. If you must have visitors that day - try to keep them to a minimum (immediate family) as you will be in no condition/mood to entertain guests. While most guests understand this, you might feel self-imposed pressure to entertain and you don't need that kind of pressure.

Once the guests left I was happy to be able to go to sleep but the first night in the hospital is not very restful. There was a clock on the wall directly across from my bed and I as literally waking up every ten or fifteen minutes thinking hours had gone by. Then, of course there were countless visits from hospital staff throughout the night. I'm not sure why my night was so restless. I was told that it is typical the night of surgery and that the pain meds (morphine) might have had something to do with it.

It seems that most doctors, mine included, like to get you mobilized as soon as possible and despite my disbelief that walking freely was something I'd be doing within 24 hours of surgery I was! Within 24 hours all IVs were removed, the catheter was removed and I was walking to the bathroom and just for exercise completely on my own. Granted it was a little slow and a bit painful during the first couple of tries but I could see improvement each time.

Your doctor will tell you what he/she expects of you before you'll be released to go home. My doctor wanted me to be mobile, eating solids, urinating easily, and be able to pass gas regularly (they want to make sure all the plumbing is working as it should). This usually takes 2-3 days. I was released in 3 days.

Upon release the doctor will review your activity restrictions and provide you with a means to manage pain (usually a prescription of some sort).

The surgery and hospital stay, in my experience, was not bad. My doctor had told me what to expect and it basically went as she had described.

You should be sure to make a list of your questions and ask them to your doctor at your pre-op. Even if you find answers in this web site,you should verify them with your doctor. After the surgery do the same thing. This type of surgery may well be routine for your doctor, but it's not routine for you. Take the time to ask the questions and put yourself at ease. The better-informed you are, the more relaxed you'll be and you'll have a positive attitude too. This can only help you before, during, and after surgery.

All the best to you.

Just wanted to welcome you to Hystersisters. You'll find wonderful information and support here at this site.

My surgery is scheduled for just a few days before yours, so we'll be going through the last minute jitters together. I can't tell you what to expect at the hospital, since this will be my very first major surgery, though I have been admitted for various medical problems several times, the most recent just a month ago.

I agree that you won't get much rest, hospitals aren't known for being the most restful places. Between nurses running in and out, checking your vital signs and waking you up to give you a sleeping pill, and other odd noises and the strangeness of your surroundings, you might as well forget about getting a good nights sleep. You might consider taking a pair of soft earplugs and eyemask to block out the lights and sounds and help make it a little easier to sleep.

That's about all I can tell you for now, but I'm sure some of the Princessess can elaborate.

Don't worry, we'll get through this okay.

Lisa