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Ok , what do I need to do and know to prepare for upcoming hysterctomy?
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07-24-2014, 05:44 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 20
Hysterectomy: August 7th, 2014
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Ok , what do I need to do and know to prepare for upcoming hysterctomy?
I'm scheduled for a LAVH on August 7 th. I have fibroids in the uterine wall and they have caused increasingly fast and furious periods. I've had lots of surgeries but they've all been sinus, throat, and feet- nothing in the torso. Also, I've gained a lot of weight in the last few years ( size 18 now 😳 and I'm worried that will complicate the procedure. So, yeah, I'm basically worried.
What do I need to have on hand before the procedure ?( I see there are many products for sale here).
How soon before I can drive ?
Is there a lot of post op pain( I hate pain meds- they make me hurl) ?
How long before I can drive?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
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07-24-2014, 06:07 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 123
Hysterectomy: June 11th, 2014
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Ok , what do I need to do?
I had my LAVH on June 13th. In the last six years I gained between 60 and 80 pounds from my birth control and I was a size 22W when I had my surgery with no problems, other than my belly hid my lower two incisions and I didn't even know they were there for almost 36 hours (I happened to feel the band aid on one and had my hubby look to see what it was). I was given morphine via IV when I got to my room after surgery, the fentanyl they were giving me in recovery wasn't working. The morphine took care of all my pain but I was still forced to take an 800 mg ibupropen and a hydrocodone before I left the hospital. The only pain I had when I woke up was a sharp stabbing pain right at my belly button (the only place I had stitches, other two incisions were glued). I went home the same day. I took two Aleve when I got home as I had been told to 'keep on top of the pain'. I hate taking any kind of medication so stopped after that to see what happened and I have been pain free since. I was told not to drive while on the narcotics but since I didn't take any after I left the hospital I was driving two days post-op. I made supper for six the night of my surgery. I also discovered that if I moved more it would cause me to cough and I got rid of all the crud in my lungs within a couple days.
I didn't buy anything special/extra, a hot pack was my friend for the first 24 hours home to relieve the gas pains but that was it. I resumed most of my normal activities within a few days, including taking care of my husband when he had back surgery six days after my surgery. I walked every night I could and can walk 4+ miles now. I just had my six week check up this week and everything is looking fantastic, I was given the green light to do whatever I want again (the only things I wasn't doing was intercourse and exercises other than walking).
Everyone's recovery is different but I think some of it is mindset. I had it in my mind that I wasn't staying at the hospital overnight, I wasn't going to just lay around, I was going to find a way to do things (to bend over I found that if I spread my legs, like a new calf or foal does, I could easily bend over and not hurt my stomach), and I was going to have a good recovery.
~Michele
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07-24-2014, 06:22 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 4,029
Hysterectomy: June 5th, 2014
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Ok , what do I need to do?
Michele Vh, you are someone after my own heart! When I see people upset that they won't be able to stay longer in the hospital, I can't understand it. Relax, I had TAH, and they made me spend the night in the hospital, but I was up showered and dressed by 7 am and pacing the halls until they got tired of looking at me and let me out. I really didn't buy anything,and had no pain. Once I was out of recovery I had no narcotics, they gave me Tylenol and Motrin in my iv for the first 12 hrs then I took nothing. I was also cooking, light cleaning, etc right away and walking a lot. My dr told me I should be able to walk a mile within a week and I was ahead of schedule. I was allowed to drive at one week, and always allowed to do stairs, bend, reach, etc. I an overweight as well. Good luck, I'm sure all will go well!
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07-24-2014, 06:38 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 20
Hysterectomy: August 7th, 2014
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Ok , what do I need to do?
Thank you so much! I have bounced back relatively quickly from my other surgeries so I'm hoping this is no exception
I can't wait to get this beast out of my belly - I'm sitting here right now trying to decide if I need to pee or if it's just my uterus squishing my bladder.
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07-24-2014, 08:10 PM
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Posts: 17,510
Hysterectomy: May 17th, 2011
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Ok , what do I need to do and know to prepare for upcoming hysterctomy?
Hi Rejax -
Here is an article on needed items for your hysterectomy: Preparing for Hysterectomy Recovery | What Will I Need?. Be sure also to click on the related articles on the right side of this article.
It make be a few weeks before you can drive. I was told that I could not drive until I could hit the brake very hard, turn the wheel very hard, and look over my shoulder without a problem. Basically safely operate the vehicle.
Post-op pain is different for everyone. But talk to your doctor about your reaction to the narcotics. They may be able to give you something else.
For advice:
Follow your doctors orders
Get meals in the freezer that you can just pop in the microwave
Get loose fitting clothes
You will need with cooking, cleaning, dishes, laundry, shopping, driving, etc. for several weeks.
Do your walks
Above all, know that we are here for you.
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07-24-2014, 08:28 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 462
Hysterectomy: July 21st, 2014
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Re: Ok , what do I need to do and know to prepare for upcoming hysterctomy?
I haven't figured out what the issue is with bending over. I've done it by instinct a few times. I'm walking up right not stooped over. I'm sleeping in my own bed, not propped up. Spend most off my down time in a office chair with my legs in another chair. I just hope it doesn't get any worse then it has been. I will be golden
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07-24-2014, 08:31 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 20
Hysterectomy: August 7th, 2014
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Ok , what do I need to do and know to prepare for upcoming hysterctomy?
Thank you! I ordered the pocket binder. If it can help with pain and swelling and keep me off the pain meds then it will be worth it for sure.
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07-25-2014, 07:26 PM
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Posts: 17,510
Hysterectomy: May 17th, 2011
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Ok , what do I need to do?
Just wanted to caution you a bit on this surgery. You may bounce back from this one just like your other ones. But this is MAJOR SURGERY, and an important organ is being removed. Your body may take some time to adjust to this. If you don't bounce back like you did your other surgeries, that is okay. Take time to heal and listen carefully to your body.
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