surgery date 1-12-04 and getting stressed

i just found this site and i think it will be a huge help to me. the holiday season kept me so busy at work i didnt have time to think about it, but with my pre op visit on thurs i am starting to worry.
i have no children and have never had any kind of surgery before so its a new world for me.
after dealing with multiple fibroids for the last 2 years, i know this is the right thing for me, but i didnt think it would stress me like it has.
so, any advice anyone has will be greatly appreciated.

after telling my staff i would be back to work long before the 6 weeks i was told i would probably be out , and helping them up off the floor when they collapsed in laughter, ( 4 of them having been through this some years ago) i think i may be in for more than i anticipated.

Hi. I don't know what type of surgery you are having (vaginal or abdominal), but there is a reason that doctors say 6-8 weeks off work after this surgery. I had a TAH and after 4 weeks there was no way I would go back to work. I was still very tired, sore, and needed to get back my strength. There is a lot of internal healing going on in your body and you don't want to jeopardize that healing. That's healing time that you can't get back.

Take care of yourself and listen to your doctor and to your body.

Hi there,

My mom is also having surgery on the same day as you and I have gotten a lot of wonderful tips from women on this site. I compiled a summary of the most useful suggestions which I have gleaned from the many women on this site and hope that they are as helpful to you as they have been to me and my mom. Thank you to all the women who have made these wonderful suggestions.

1) What to bring to the hospital: a travel-size pillow; some pajamas that button down in the front and have an adjustable drawstring for the bottoms; slippers; lip balm and some good magazines.

2) Post-op tips: perhaps a donut pillow to sit on (this can also be referred to as a "ring cushion"). The pillow apparently helps relieve any strain which sitting might cause for you during your recovery period. You can buy one either online (search for "ring cushion") or sometimes at a drug store. Also, make sure that you have a phone nearby in case you need to call a friend or family member to assist you.

3)What to Buy: individual size water bottles so that you can fill them with juice, water...no carbonated beverages because the carbonation causes gas. Remember: you won't be able to pick up anything more than a pound or so. This, the individual water bottles work well.

4)Food: many have suggested foods such as bran muffins (which also helps with the BM issue); frozen dinners and soups. Most seem to caution against gas-inducing foods such as fatty foods, cheeses etc.

5) From what I understand, walking can alleviate the gas pains which you might feel post-surgery

I wish you the very best of luck on your surgery and hope that this information proves to be useful.

Best wishes to you and good luck!!

thanks for all the great advice. i will be having a TAH, and i will find out tomorrow at the preop whether or not it will be a bikini incision or a regular one.
hopefully i will be less stressed after the visit. my DH will be going with me. i told him he needs to know what he is in for once i am home!

I also had problems with fibroids and had never had surgery before so was also stressed before my surgery. Talking to your Doctor at your pre op will help with the stress as well as finding things to do that will relax you in the days leading up to your surgery. Try to get extra sleep this week and relax as much as possible.
I am now 7 weeks post and no longer have the painful fibroids (uterus the size of a 22 week pregnancy).
I can sleep lying on my side or even on my stomach, which I have not been able to do for years.
One of the replys mentioned things to take to the hospital. I took short (above the knee) night gowns with short sleeves to make it easier for taking blood pressure or having blood work done.
I also found that crossword or word search puzzles were good to have. One of my nurses recommended peppermint tea to help with gas and it works for me. I still use it now.
Take care. The surgery will be over before you know it and you too will be on the road to recovery.

rose

Retailprisoner,
Just wanted to wish you luck. I will be at the same castle on the 14th of Jan. I will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Sending good thoughts and best wishes for you tomorrow! Let us know how you're doing?

Sharron

I'm due to visit the castle on Thursday as far as I know - I see my consultant on Tuesday with all the test results for final discussions.

I was previously diagnosed with fibroids but a consultant picked up on my excessive flooding early in December. Since then I've been bombarded with tests, scans and various internals both under gen anaesthesia and not. Just before Christmas I was told I had cervical cancer.

Being in the UK the jolly NHS has done me proud - if not for the fact that I was determined to enjoy Christmas with my family I'm sure I'd have had my surgery by now, although in itself the rush is a bit unsettling.

My main problem is that I am self-employed running my own business, and this is my busiest time of year. My clients have on the whole been very supportive and understanding but I cannot see any way that I can take 6 weeks out. My staff are also very supportive but I can't help but feel that I am totally dumping on my main staff member.

I'm trying to be positive - like you I've never had surgery or even stitches until now. It's all a lot to take in and I've found the posts here - even though US based and slightly different - very reassuring on the whole.

Good luck - I'll be thinking of you!

thank you to everyone for your support. i bought some tension tamer tea by celestial seasonings today=i dont know if its available world wide or just here=but it has seemed to help. i am not pacing like i was earlier today.
maybe it will work for you.
i dont feel like i can be out 6 weeks either, retail mgt is very stressful and demanding , but if going back too soon is going to have lifelong effects--dont do it!

I know. My health - and yours - should come first.

But I've spent all my life under a strict work ethic. I find the notion of taking so much time lying around and sleeping very strange.

I'm sure you'll be fine.