Please, has anyone ever heard of this?

Going home the same day as surgery for an abdominal hysterectomy.

I really need to do this and would like to know if anyone has ever done it?

q

I actually asked about it and was told no way. The doctors said that after the extent of the anesthesia and the trauma to the body that people need to be monitored. My surgery was at 7am (I think, lol that part was a little fuzzy) and I thought surely when he saw me in the afternoon he would change his mind...but by then I had changed mine.

Not sure why you need to go home, but is there a way that we can help you to plan to stay just one night?

I am so scared... cannot be hooked up to IVs without intense emotionalproblems, so they have to be taken out after surgery. I am just trying to get myself up for surgery. I was going to just wait for menopause, but had a partial intestinal blockage last weekend evidently caused by pressure from soccer sized uterus.

I tried to talk myself into staying overnight without tubes, catheters or shots, but I so want to be in my bed.

q

Not only have I never heard of it, I can't imagine that it would be safe for the patient by any stretch of the imagination. I didn't even have my IV removed until Day Two, and I felt that was even a tad soon because I was still needing maximum pain medication.

I was in optimal health when I had my TAH/BSO, performed by one of the most highly-acclaimed gyns in my entire state, and he said before I even booked the surgery that I would be staying in the hospital a minumum of three nights. Honestly, if I would have been told I needed to stay a fourth night I would not have protested at all as I was being wonderfully tended to by the hospital staff.

A hysterectomy of any kind is major surgery and any responsible doctor will not jeopardize their patients recovery by releasing them from professional medical care before it's safe to do so. I like my bed at home, too, but when you're recovering from such major trauma, the hospital bed being to your optimal liking is the least of your concerns.

There is no 911 coverage here to speak of. According to my dr, the blockage will come back, probably worse. However, I cannot stay more than one night and that will be a big maybe, nor be hooked up to things. If there is no way out, then I won't be able to have surgery.

I was just hoping that someone would know of something. I am not a stranger to pain; have had 5 of my 6 kids at home, and have been in pain from this "stuff" since July. I had one surgery, but only one surgeon showed up and they just took out some fluid. It was such a bad experience that I vowed never to go back...but I am seeing not much of a choice right now.

q

I had a total adominal hysterectomy in a good hospital and my doctor sent me home the next day, and I was fine. My doctor is really obsessed with the drug resistant staff infections that lurk in hospitals and wants his patients at home as soon as possible. I used pain pills only about 3 or 4 times total, then just used Motrin. I did okay. Best of luck to you.

Thank-you Moonflower. Maybe there is hope. I am so glad that you did well.

q

PS as a general comment not directed at you in any way.

When I had my surgery about 8 weeks ago, I was promised a lot of things, like no IVs after surgery. The recovery nurse came to visit me in preop to tell me that no IVs are ever taken out in post op. I was crying by then. She told me, "The IV is your friend." I was shaking and crying, "No it's not."

Sure enough they didn't take out the IV, they didn't let my husband come in the recovery room, and a lot worse things. I will go without pain med before being left on an IV for pain...it's strange, but it is me. I have absolutely no fear of the procedure or the pain afterwards, only the needles, the machinery and the masked faces behind them.

Quilterperson...I can so relate to how you feel about IVs...I haven't had a hyst yet, but I've had 7 abdominal surgeries, and I count the hours until that thing comes out! My experience has been that the IV is not just for pain management....it is more to make sure that your fluid levels remain healthy, to administer antibiotics in amounts not doable by mouth, and to be availble for emergencies or complications....I know how difficult it can be, but here are a few things that helped me when I had to be in the hospital and have IV's

One, often the nurse can put a sort of stocking over the IV site that holds it in place nicely and keeps you from having to look at it...Two, make sure they put it in your non dominant hand...And three, as soon as you can prior to surgery, start replacing the "self talk" that gets you anxious with thoughts and phrases that help you feel able to cope....This has always helped me alot...

As for the overnight stays....Most hospitals have a channel on the tv that plays scenery and soothing music all night long....I turn that on, and ask the nurses to leave it on even if I'm sleeping...it does wonders for my peace of mind....or you can bring your cd player and cd's that soothe you....

I hope these tips help, and maybe inspire you to think of creative ways to beat this fear and sail through your surgery and recovery...My thoughts and prayers are with you...

Shalom,
thank-you for your thoughtful answers. How do you respond to the burning poison (medicine) that they try to sneak into the the IV?

You are very kind and I sound terrible, but my anesthesiolotgist actually did this. While we were in the hallway on the way to surgery she pushed something that hit just as the OR room shut behind me. I have a high threshold of pain, but I screamed when it hit, not knowing that anytning was coming. She did it later to put me to slepp. The IV was on the underside of my writ, and she blew out one of the veings .

Thank-you so much for writing.
Q

Ouch, I have had that burning stuff, too, and it really does hurt! The last surgery I had I remember it was so painful but I was out in about 3 seconds so at least it didn't last that long...

Can you try to focus on some of the stuff they give you that makes you feel really good? Or, can they give you sedatives, even a constant low dose, while the IV is in you? If neither of these things work how about seeing a therapist for a few sessions before your surgery and maybe see if you can change how you deal with things? I have a wonderful therapist and while I am not afraid of IV's she has helped me with a ton of other things!