Pre-Op Hysterectomy: Open House Chat Thread - Today Mar 05, 2017

Welcome!

This special Pre-Op Hysterectomy: Open House Chat Thread is for YOU if you are having surgery this week. This thread chat will help you meet others who are having surgery the same week as you, calm your anxiousness, and help answer your last minute questions.

To get started, please introduce yourself, sharing a few things about yourself and your upcoming hysterectomy. Tell us what concerns you have as you prepare for your surgery.

Have patience! Because this is a "COME AND GO" event, check back here during the day for replies with answers, support and hugs from new friends. Our post-op members will be stopping by, too!

As you get to know the other members having surgery this week - you will be meeting up again, after your hysterectomy, in a special thread created just for this week's surgeries in the Post Op Hysterectomy forum.

Hi! My name is Jen. I'm 48 and having a TAH on Tuesday. I'm particularly worried about the recovery even though I have had similar surgeries in the past. They will be cutting along the same scar on my bikini line. I am also worried about surgical menopause when they remove the ovaries even though I have been having hot flashes on and off for years. Lastly, I am dreading the weight gain and swelly belly. I will also be recovering alone, so I have that going for me. :P

Hi from Australia! In a few hours I'll be Zzzz asleep as it's night time here. I'm booked in for a total hysterectomy via laparoscopy on Friday the 10th. I've had intense pelvic pain & mysterious bleeding for the past year. For me it'll be the 3rd surgery this year! Through a round trip of elimination, focus has been brought back to my uterus being the underlying aggravate. So my hope is now that a hysterectomy will end the pain & I can start healing & having a life again! My one silly thing pre surgery that I found myself stressing about today was that I bought a whole bunch of super comfy recovery clothes but they are all pull on t'shirts. So I went out today wearing layered maternity pads, feeling faint & nauseous from another ridiculously heavy period (but the last one yippee!!) in a panic to find button up tops lol. I could only find 1 button up top & 1 dress that were somewhat comfy & then I started feeling faint, frustrated, & emotional so headed home. So my question is; How long afterwards should I expect to struggle putting arms up to get a t-shirt on? Or is that just immediately after surgery that its tender in that way? If it comes to it I can just wear a bra & a dressing gown I guess.

Hi! I'm Audra in North Carolina. My surgery is tomorrow. The plan is for a total laparoscopic. I'm nervous about so many things. And praying this was the right decision after years of pain from fibroids.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Voltaire Hi! My name is Jen. I'm 48 and having a TAH on Tuesday. I'm particularly worried about the recovery even though I have had similar surgeries in the past. They will be cutting along the same scar on my bikini line. I am also worried about surgical menopause when they remove the ovaries even though I have been having hot flashes on and off for years. Lastly, I am dreading the weight gain and swelly belly. I will also be recovering alone, so I have that going for me. :P

Hi Jen, I have to travel far to have my surgery. I'll need to stay close to the hospital by myself for 10 days before I fly home to a household full of utter chaos. I was a bit intimidated by the immediate recovery being by myself in an unfamiliar place but now I'm thinking I'm going to get more rest that way on the upside. I've had family arranging for other family members closer to the city I'm having surgery in to travel to check on me & help me out of hospital & to my post op appointment which is a relief. When I'm on my own I'll make sure I write down what painkillers I've taken so I don't miss or double up doses & I've promised family I'd take a thermometer to check my temperature. You have probably worked out a bit of a plan of action for yourself. I found focusing on that simple plan makes me less worried. Goodluck on Tuesday oxo

Kumbar - Hello. I had a TAH 5 months ago. I had no issues putting on t shirts etc. one day post surgery. I wore loose dresses - skirts from Athleta and sports bras were very comfy for my post op 2 weeks. Good luck !

	Quote:
Originally Posted by audra72 Hi! I'm Audra in North Carolina. My surgery is tomorrow. The plan is for a total laparoscopic. I'm nervous about so many things. And praying this was the right decision after years of pain from fibroids.

Audra - Hello! I lived with a large fibroid and several smaller ones for many years and then finally decided last year that it was time! I had my TAH 5 months ago and I can say it was one of the best things I have ever done! I feel great and no longer look pregnant all the time. Before you know it you will be in the recovery room and on your journey to recovery. Keep thinking positive thoughts. All the best of luck !

Thanks so much! One day at a time. Trying to stay positive.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by edielongbeach Kumbar - Hello. I had a TAH 5 months ago. I had no issues putting on t shirts etc. one day post surgery. I wore loose dresses - skirts from Athleta and sports bras were very comfy for my post op 2 weeks. Good luck !

Awesome thanks for that feedback! I feel pretty sorted & ready now then :-)

Greetings all,

I'm scedued for a partial abdominal hysterectomy and I terrified! My biggest concerns are being in a medically induced coma while the procedure is going being done. Obviously I know that it's necessary to do because this is a highly invasive surgery, but I scared that something may go wrong and I won't wake up. It may sound silly but that's a real fear im having. The idea of me having no control is driving me insane. Just thought of some one slicing me open and removing something from my body makes me nauseous, but i know it has to be done. The alternative of not having the surgery has been beyond miserable thus far. I've been dealing with very painful fibroids and heavy bleeding for the past 10-11 years and I'm tired of missing work because I'm in so much pain that I can't stand up, sometimes even throwing up. And if I do make it to work, bleeding so heavily that I have to bring a change of pants with me, and the go home because I've also ruined my spare pair of pants. I even lost a job once because I was in the bathroom so much they thought I wasn't able to be productive at work. Pardon my rant, that tends to happen when I'm scared or anxious, and as my surgery is coming up in less than 48hours both are at an all time high.

I'm all over the place, I locked my self out of the house a couple of days ago, paid one bill twice, I've been losing things, forgot to eat one day, overate a bunch of candy then next, fell asleep at 5p til about 10a the next day. I'm a mess. I'm also afraid that I won't be able to excerise for awhile,it's sooo hard to get myself motivated to work out, and I know it's going to be challenging for me to get back in the healthy mindset after taking a month off post hyst. I was reading that I can't do any ab exercises for at least 3-4 months after. So on top of the idea of not waking up after surgery, I'm afraid I'm going to get big and fat during my convalescence. Not that I'm have a six pack now or anything, I just want to be healthy and confident. And all of that time off sitting around will jeopardize that.