LAVH, Pain meds, Cath.

Okay I have been reading thru all the posts and I have 2 questions. First off I am having LAVH and I have read alot of posts about catheters and morphine drips or pain med buttons. Now I undersstand that with TAH but should I expect to have a cath still in after my surgery for several hours. And will I have the pleasure of having self med machine for pain for the first few hours. Because I know how the nurses are at the hospital where I am going and they get you pain meds when they get to it. And I was wondering if I will have to wait for them since my surgery isn't as major as an TAH. These are questions that I will ask my DR but that appt is over a mnth away.
Khristina

Khristina,

Write down all your questions so you don't forget to ask them at your pre-op appt. And if your doctor knows your fear of the pain and your concerns about the speed of the nursing staff to help people - he can make better arrangements to keep you comfortable. Ask him about the pump - tell him you have heard they work well for the first day after surgery. I don't know of too many women who get to keep them for more than 24 to 36 hours after the surgery - then you get pills and maybe an occasional shot.

As I recall, almost every woman who has a "female" surgery has a catheter for at least a while. Drinking as soon as they will let you and as much as you can handle seemed to help me get rid of mine quicker when I had emergency surgery to remove my ovary 18 years ago.

Good luck to you - and don't forget - your doctor doesn't know your concerns unless you tell him.

Cheers,

Bella