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Wondering what to expect after surgery
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01-28-2009, 10:07 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 19
Hysterectomy: December 23rd, 2008
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Wondering what to expect after surgery
I was lucky--I was able to schedule my surgery within two weeks of knowing I needed to have all my plumbing removed. I have no regrets and sure don't miss the pre-op pain. I'm 5 1/2 weeks post op. Read all you can on this web...you learn far more here than you can anywhere else. The pre op notes are so helpful. God bless.
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01-29-2009, 08:58 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 3
Hysterectomy: February 19th, 2009
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Wondering what to expect after surgery
TAH, Thanks so much.
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01-29-2009, 09:19 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 9
Hysterectomy: December 18th, 2008
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Wondering what to expect after surgery
I am 6 weeks post op today. There was a multitude of reasons why I ended up having a complete abdominal hysto and a bladder sling. A previous post was true, the anticipation is much worse than the surgery and healing. They gave me some pain pump out of surgery and that gave me a splitting headache so I didn't use it. Then the doc came in and wrote me an Rx for Vicodin which I took one of and it knocked me out, so that was the end of the Rx pain meds. I sucked it up and waited 2 days until I got home and took some Ibuprofen. I was back to work full-time at 2 weeks. I came out of surgery with a low-dose hormone patch and the doc upped it to the full strength at my one week check up, been fine since. I'm still tired when I get home from work but that seems to be one of only a few signs that I am still healing. No regrets, don't miss supporting Kotex and it sure is nice to sneeze or cough safely!
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01-29-2009, 09:59 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 3
Hysterectomy: February 19th, 2009
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Wondering what to expect after surgery
Thank all of you so much for the much needed words of comfort. I am having a TAH. I am so greatful to have found this site. I have been reading since I found it and all of you are right, the ladies on this site are remarkable. Thanks again and I will continue to post throughout this procedure.
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01-29-2009, 07:14 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 123
Hysterectomy: February 12th, 2009
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Wondering what to expect after surgery
Hi Ultranifty! My pre-op was the 27th - I asked so many questions and am so blessed to have this site because it led me in the right direction as far as what questions to ask. I don't know if this will be helpful, but it has been for me - I started a binder/folder and put all my relevant health info, labs, previous path and post op reports, health care proxy, etc. It makes it easier as you go to different appts and they are asking you for all this info and all right there in one place. Good luck on the 12th! I'll be thinking of you! God Bless - let me know how it goes -
CapeCodder
TAH/BSO coming up on the 12th
Severe Endo, Fibroids
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01-29-2009, 08:13 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 207
Hysterectomy: February 12th, 2009
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Wondering what to expect after surgery
Thank you for the good thoughts and I'll be sending prayers your way for the 12th!!
Keep me posted too!!
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01-30-2009, 11:50 AM
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Look for the Joy
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Posts: 366
Hysterectomy: January 20th, 2009
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Wondering what to expect after surgery
lgedwards,
I'm so glad you found Hyster Sisters too! I found that by roaming the site and using the search function I found articles and threads that spoke to my specific condition. If I didn't have any luck there I posted my own questions! The sisters here are eager to help and send lots of !
Take care make sure you bring a copy of the pre-op check points with you to your pre-op appointment!
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02-12-2009, 08:51 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 5
Hysterectomy: January 8th, 2009
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Wondering what to expect after surgery
My TAH-BSO was 1-8-09 [Thurs]. Today is 5 wks post-op. My surgery was the 1st of the morning and took about 2 hours. My doctor told me that it would take that long, unless complications arose, but none did for me. Waking up in recovery is comical because I was thinking about Shirley Temple and "Good Ship Lollipop". Not singing, just thinking.
I had an epidural, which I had some concern beforehand, but meeting the anthesiologist made me feel more confident about it.
Everyone's experience can be different, but pretty much the same, if you don't mind the irony of that statement. I couldn't eat anything but ice chips on day of/after the surgery. I was alert because of the epidural. No pain, much. Loved my tummy pillow that I received from my hospital [don't know if that is the same at all hosp.]. I was able to call a few people and tell them of my surgery, since I had an epidural and not morphine pump. My DH had called the family while I was in recovery.
Post-op day 1 [Fri.], I had a liquid diet. I was a bit groggy that evening and had run a slight fever in the night. The nursing staff knew my lack of alertness was not normal from the night before, and had tests run. I had a bladder infection from the catheter [I read beforehand that is normal], and the epidural meds needed to be removed [and had been ok'd by the dr]. I was better/alert in a few hours [even at 3 AM]. The RNs emphasized that I was better, which told me a lot.
I ended up staying another night because of the infection and the grogginess. I was able to eat regular food on Saturday and take a shower. Walking was slow at first, but did a couple of laps by Sunday AM with my DH before he headed for church services. I was released at noon.
My RNs were wonderful and were very helpful. I told them of Hystersisters and they never heard of it. One RN is now a hystersister by this writing.
At home, I slept good, and alternated meds of vicodin and motrin for about a week. I took Motrin alone for a few days, and sometimes "just in case" and then none at all. I kept a journal for meds, hot flashes, and notes. It helped to know when to take the meds.
No HRT for me, my hot flashes began a week post-op. They aren't bad, but keeping a hand fan nearby keeps me cool enough. When I'm tired, I rest or nap. Otherwise I am doing pretty good and people tell me that I look good.
Other women have told me of their stories, that I feel supported online and in life. The other side is pretty good. Waiting was bad, but I tried to stay busy. My swelly belly is not as big, but still there. My incision is healing well. I had staples and then steri-strips.
Ladies in Waiting, rest, rest, and rest some more in your recovery. Reading up on info is VERY helpful. "Through the Land of Hyster" is a great resource.
Keep us posted and tell your stories to other LIW.
Peace 2U.
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02-13-2009, 12:53 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 3,711
Hysterectomy: November 4th, 2008
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Wondering what to expect after surgery
Before surgery I would get your house set up as well as you can. Make sure you are stocked up on simple things like toilet paper. I stocked up on things like tuna fish & soups so you don’t have to cook anything. Lunchables are a good idea too. I would clean everything as well as you can like bed sheets, laundry & floors/carpets because it will be a little while until you can do those things alone. I suggest setting up a station for yourself for when you get home. You will want everything in reach like the remote control, drinks, snacks, hand cream & your medications.
Medications: I made sure I had lots of Gas-X (my biggest pain from the surgery was from gas & bowels getting moving again). Prunes can really be good here or applesauce. I needed Anti-diarrhea pills (I don’t get constipated) & Preparation-H (I get diarrhea easy). I got some pedia-Lax (baby colace) because the adult colace is too strong for me. I had some Urinary Tract pain relief (over the counter) on hand because it takes a while for your bladder to go back to normal. I never did have a UTI but sure felt like I did & the Urinary medication helped a little (it will turn your pee very orange). I used Vagisil to help with the little bit of irritation & dryness. You can also just use KY jelly for dryness.
Items: You will want a pick up tool. No matter what you do you will drop something & bending over is not an option. I needed a shower bench for the first week on & off. I am over weight & that made everything a bit more difficult. It is great just to let the warm water run over your body but if you are not steady & are still weak the shower bench is a huge help. Try to take even a small shower even if you feel you can’t because it will help a little with the soreness. I used a walker for a few days on & off because you may have you back hurt because you carry yourself a bit different because of the swell belly. One great thing I did was hooked a basket to the walker & found it very helpful to keep little bags of snacks (pretzels/crackers) & your medications & your journal (to write down when you take meds) in the basket. That way it is always with you & in your reach. The first week (if you have no appetite) just eat what you can & worry about nutrition next week. I made sure I had an electric blanket (I could not get warm for the first 2 weeks) & leg warmers. I stayed in my nightgown & found those really helped me stay warm. I had a lot of Cranberry juice on hand to help my bladder feel better & get fluids in me. You need lots of fluids.
The more you walk, the faster things will get moving, even though you wont feel like walking much. I wish they would have gotten me up in the hospital.
The faster you can get off the narcotic pain meds the better. They can make your stomach very upset & constipate most people. After day 3 I found I didn’t really need them anyway because when they wore off I felt worse than if I would not have taken them. If you can take Motrin that should help with the inflammation.
Things not to do: Do not eat anything red. Do not wash your hair with antibacterial soap or it will really itch.
Best wishes.
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