surgery soon and confused about recovery

i am so confused. i'm scheduled for AH 29jan. i just saw my dr. and he said i will be up and about, in 2-4 weeks. i had a myomectomy when i was in my 20's and couldn't drive for 6weeks. and a c-section in my 30's and was in bed for a couple of weeks. i trust him, but he was making this sound like root canal surgery. he prescribed 5mg. lortab post-op. i remember being in a LOT of pain, with my other surgeries. can anyone tell me that they were back to their old selves in 4 weeks? will i need help? with what? bringing me meals in bed? doing dishes? laundry? should i have my sister come to take care of me?or my family? thanks for listening, and hopefully someone will answer!

Hi Betti! My experience with recovery for a TVH (total vaginal hyster) was about 8 weeks. I wouldn't want to contradict your doctor and I think you will find that answers from ladies here are going to vary, but I think 4 weeks for a TAH is stretching it. My doctor told me not to lift anything heavier than 5 lbs. for 6 weeks, so yes you are going to need help with things. Bending is not good to do either. So, think of all the things you do, even around the house, that require bending and lifting, not to mention pushing the vacuum which takes all of your abdominal muscles. You will be sore. I was stiff for 3-4 weeks myself. I would say that help with laundry (lifting the laundry basket is a ), house cleaning, dusting, vacuuming is definitely in order. There are driving restrictions as well. The first week or two preparing meals takes alot of exertion, not to mention getting in and out of the shower.

As I said, Betti, I don't mean to contradict your doctor, but I do think you will find that 2-4 weeks will be a little soon to be doing all of your normal activities. Have you thought about getting a second opinion?

s

Sherry

thanks sherry,
this is the 2nd dr. in the practice i've used. the first acutally did the c-section. after years of pelvic pain from fibroids and cysts, he had recomended the TAH. i put it off as long as i could stand the pain. i can take it no longer. i do trust him, maybe he is trying to keep me optomistic.