what happens during surgery

I am looking to have a TAH. date unknown. lrg fibriods. What happens during /before surgery at the hospital?

Hi snail!

I'm still pre-op, so no personal experience to share just yet; but if you look near the top of the page, you'll see a drop down menu to the right. If you go down to and select Princess Stories, that will give you some personal stories on people's experiences. It's helped me learn more of what different people have gone through and what I can expect.

I just had my TAH/BSO on March 14th - that was Friday. I arrived at the hospital at 5:30am and surgery was due at 7:30. I went to my bed, had to completely undress and answer some questions. Then at 7am they took me to the holding room. I sat there for 15 minutes and then they started my IV..I was very scared and crying. Then the anesthesiologist came and talked to me. The next thing I knew they were wheeling me into the OR. I remember one nurse asking me what I was having done. I told her and then they placed a hat on my head and mask on my face. I WAS OUT!!

I woke up at 9:30 in the recovery room. I was feeling ok...just a little pain. Then I asked for my soon to be hubby. They brought me to my room and there he was. I guess my parents and sister in law where there too, but I don't remember. I will be completely honest with you....You will be out of it for 2 full days. The only thing I remember is Paul being there for me and having pain. I can only relate the pain to labor and if you have never been in labor, it would be like a charlie horse in your tummy. You will have a cathader for 2 days...enjoy it!

The nurses would tell me I would be home on Monday and I thought, "Yeah right! Tuesday if I am lucky." I think Friday night they made me get up and walk...one thing to remember...HOLD YOUR TUMMY!!!! I walked to the door and back...that was enough.

Then on Saturday they wanted me to walk farther...I made it half way down the hall and threw up...THAT HURT! That night I needed oxygen for a couple of hours...no biggie...just a tube that sits in your nose. The cath came out also...

Sunday was a much better day...I did a lot of walking and by Monday morning at 8am, the doctor came and removed my 12 staples and I was home by 10am. The staples do not hurt when they remove them...it is just a little pinch. Just remember to try and pass gas, drink a lot and do not have a lot of company.

The other sisters talked about bleeding and having an enlarged tummy...I can not relate to that..I was luck and had none of that.

I hope this helps you both. If you have any more questions, please ask! I or some one will help you...Just remember waiting is the worst. I will not lie to you, it does hurt some, but it does not last long. Take the gas pills and try to release yourself or you will be pain....

Take care and I will be praying for you both....

Good Luck!
Tamarita

	Quote:
I was very scared and crying.

Oh Tamarita! Poor dear! I'm glad you're doing okay now. So far, I'm pretty okay with it, but it's still a major thing and I have no doubt I'll be shedding a few tears before this is all over.

I was so glad to read the articles written. I am due for surgery in 2 days!!! I am scared and crying all the time But I know it will be ok, it will pass, and I will do everything the nurses tell me, to get out of the caslte as soon as I can. Thanks

I had TAH/BSO on 1/28/03. My surgery was scheduled for 1:30 pm (it ran about an hour later than that). I was taken to pre-op and changed into a gown, my IV was started and the anesthesiologist came and talk to me and explained what his job in this was. The pre-op holding got my DH and Dear Mom and I chatted with them for a few minutes before my Doctor arrived. They had given me Versed in pre-op, my Dr expected to find me kind of loopy when he asked what we were doing today-(drugs don't affect me that way) so I explained what he was going to do to him (negotiated again that he pulled my stomach tight when he was ready to close me up) and then I was wheeled to the OR. In the OR I moved to the OR table and talked to the nurses for a few minutes. Then it was lights out! I don't remember being in post-op recovery at all. I remember waking up in my room (now I was loopy). I dozed off and on the rest of that night (DH stayed all night and slept on the pull out chair). The next morning I woke up with a strange urgency to pee (not likely as I had a catheter which they had inserted in the OR after I was out). Called the nurse she removed the cath, a few hours later they removed the IV and by noon the say after surgery I was walking the halls. Wednesday was pretty uneventful besides getting my walks in and going to the bathroom. By Thursday morning I was begging to go home and was released to do so by noon. The only pain meds that I took was Toradol. I am in no way a Superwoman (really kind of wimpy) but I think if you go into surgery with a good mindset you're better off. I still have slight pains and twinges at 7 week PO but they are by no means comparable to the pain before. The waiting really is the hardest part! (Sorry this is so long-but I hope it helps).

You can see if your Dr. will prescribe valium for you to take the morning of surgery. I was okayed to take one that morning (with a teeny tiny amount of water) before leaving for the hospital, then when I was waiting in pre-op I asked for, and received some in my IV. My surgery was delayed 3 hours because of an emergency so they were quite accomodating to me. But to tell you the truth, I was so very ready to get it all over with that I wasn't all that nervous. As for feeling "loopy" afterwards; I was able to have an epidural plus sedation rather than general, which I'm told is easier to recover from. I am very glad I asked my Dr. about my choices. I was not at all out of it, even right after surgery. It depends on the type of procedure you are having.
I am 2 weeks and 2 days now, and getting around just fine.
Good Luck,
Barb