My Time is Coming...

Hello everyone. I just want to say how grateful I am to everyone for posting their experiences. I am 32 and having a vaginal hyst. on monday for severe prolapse (yes I can see it hanging out almost 2 inches) and also bladder repairs and anterior repairs, among other things. I'm still finding I have questions. I was told it will feel like a really bad episiotomy (sp?) , does that mean I'll actually have an episiotomy? Also, I was told it would take 2 hours, does that sound like the length of your surgeries? Also, instead of a sling he mentioned he'd be creating scar tissue to help support my bladder. Has anyone had this done like that? I'm really getting nervous and feeling quite alone about everything. My husband works late and is fighting a cold (just what I need, to be coughing on monday) My mother-in-law is coming to help with my 3 kids, she had an abdominal hyst. a few years ago, and makes me feel like this isn't as big a deal since its vaginal.
Sorry for the lengthy note.

Becky

Hi Becky,
Don't let anyone kid you...this is major surgery! It doesn't matter how it's done, it's major. With a tah you will have an external incision where with a tvh you won't but you still need to take care of yourself.

My surgery lasted about two hours. I had severe prolapse also. While I didn't have an episiotomy, I could see a stitch near there but my dr said I didn't have one so I can only assume it was from the rectocele repair. While I didn't have a bladder sling, my dr said he put an extra row of stitches next to my bladder to "shore" it up. Be prepared for your bladder to be ticked off for a while. My dr said it takes a while for the stitches to dissolve and soften up and it makes your bladder cranky for a while.

You might consider getting a donut pillow to sit on. This will become your best friend for a few weeks.
Your bottom will be sore for a while. You can get these pillows at most drug stores.

Sending you and for a successful surgery and smooth recovery.

Keep us posted on how you're doing.
Blessings,
Judy

Judy,

Thank you so much. I really appreciate all the information and will get myself prepared better with a donut. It sounds like the stitches by the bladder is what I will be having, too. Did you go home with a catheter? I can't thank you enough, its really comforting to hear from someone and really helps with my nerves.

Thanks so much,
Becky

Hi Becky, I am 7 weeks post op from TVH and it was the best thing I ever did, my surgery was almost 2 hours, I felt some cramping in the recovery room what I remember of the recovery room but no worse that period cramps and they went away quickly and all I took was Ibprophen, I did have a cathetor, thank the Lord, and oxygen for a bit but by the next day I was feeling great, I am walking a good 20 minutes per day and back at work this week, I am 55 so I can tell you I did get tired easily but thats all gone also...you will be so happy that this is done and you will never regret it, if I could go through it again for you I would and I really mean it because I am a big chicken and it was a piece of cake, you'll do fine....Hugs, D