LAVH: New member here... hysterectomy scheduled lavh on 10/31

I'm new here, and all trying to figure out this site, so please forgive me if I'm doing this wrong.

This is a welcome relief for me, and has been a long time coming. I've been asking drs for years to please let me have a hysterectomy because I'm always in pain. It has gotten progressively worse over the years. I've always run into drs who just wanted to run this test, or try this medication, or just wait and watch. Problem is, with all the scans and tests, nobody could ever figure out why I'm always cramping and in so much pain. I've finally been blessed with a dr who took pity on me and is willing to provide some relief by just removing the uterus and ovaries. So now I'm scheduled for a lavh in one week, on 10/31.

So, I'm excited, but somewhat anxious because of the recovery. I have 7 children (28, 25, 22, 15, 13, 8, 2). Only the youngest 4 are at home, but also have my 18yr old niece living with us as well. I know the teens can take care of themselves...if they have to. But the youngest 2 can't. My 2yr old climbs on me constantly, so that worries me. She's a big girl...the size of a 4-5yr old. She's in the middle of potty training, so needs a lot of attention. I know I can't lift her (she's 40lbs) but I don't think I can make her understand why she can't climb on me. We are also very involved in school and church activities. (Kids in band and football, hubby and I are co-commanders at Awana, teach Sunday school [1st-3rd great boys], handbells choir, etc...) I'm wondering just how long I absolutely HAVE to stay out? Shouldn't I be ok being on my feet as long as I don't lift anything heavy? How many have actually used abdominal support bands? Do they really help to speed up recovery?

Oh, and for the frosting on the cake....my cycles haven't been trackable for some time now, so it was difficult to predict. So, of course, aunt Flo decided one last hoorah visit would be fun this morning! I haven't called my Dr, yet. Anyone else experience this? Will they still do the surgery if there is still flow next Monday?

How long after surgery can I expect there to be bleeding?

Any suggestions, prayers, and words of wisdom are much appreciated! Thank you!

Mel

	Quote:
I have 7 children (28, 25, 22, 15, 13, 8, 2). Only the youngest 4 are at home, but also have my 18yr old niece living with us as well. I know the teens can take care of themselves...if they have to. But the youngest 2 can't. My 2yr old climbs on me constantly, so that worries me. ... I know I can't lift her (she's 40lbs) but I don't think I can make her understand why she can't climb on me. We are also very involved in school and church activities. (Kids in band and football, hubby and I are co-commanders at Awana, teach Sunday school [1st-3rd great boys], handbells choir, etc...) I'm wondering just how long I absolutely HAVE to stay out? Shouldn't I be ok being on my feet as long as I don't lift anything heavy?

What many women don't realize is just how major this surgery is. You'll be having multiple internal incisions (nerves, ligaments, blood vessels, as well as where the organs are cut away from what remains). I had a chance to attend a hysterectomy prep class at the hospital. The nurse running the class had her own stories to tell: she could take a shower, fold a few clothes, and then had to crash for a nap. I thought she was over-dramatizing, but hoo-boy, she wasn't kidding - and I had minimally invasive surgery! Reason why we're tired is that our bodies are tuned into healing, not what we think we should be doing. I also wasn't expecting how difficult it would be to bend, twist, reach... and no pushing or pulling (that's grocery carts, sweeping, etc.). We don't realize how much the surgery saps our core strength. At two weeks, 2 hours of sitting up straight made my back ache - reclining was definitely better for me. Our VBS was at my 4 week post-op, and for the first time in 10 years I did not lead VBS music. Fatigue was too great, mobility still too limited, and standing up for 3-1/2 hours would've been too much strain on my body.

Your family will have to step in, so it's good to prepare them now (resource below). You won't be doing laundry, cooking, cleaning for several weeks. Your 3 oldest, your niece and husband are quite capable of filling in the gaps. I remember sharing some of the same things which I'd gleaned from my class, and watching my husband's expression go from "Okay" to "This is serious" and TeenGirl's jaw drop lower and lower until "Oh my gosh!" was the only thing she could say. Things may not be to your standards, but that's where a good pair of rose-colored Princess glasses helps!

Regarding your toddler, keep a pillow over your tummy and let her know Mommy's hurting, and gentle touches are needed. Even two year olds can tune in to positive directions such as those. Invite her to snuggle next to you for quieter activities - reading, coloring. Have her bring her stuffed animals or a cuddly blanket to you! (I would've loved that, as I'm a sucker for stuffed animals even today!)

Hang up the SuperHero cape while you recover. Your #1 Priority will be healing. You'll not do anybody any favors if you do too much too soon resulting in setbacks, complications or future surgery because you didn't allow yourself to heal. Awana, Sunday school, handbells, and school won't fall apart without you (any more than VBS and choir fell apart without me), and all those connections that you have may actually be a good support network for you.

A couple of resources for you:
Assistance After Hysterectomy - good to share with your family
Hysterectomy Restrictions - for your guidance
What 350,000 Women Know... free booklet which takes you pre-op to 6 weeks post op and issues beyond - indispensable!

In the end, it's up to your doctor as to when you can begin resuming activities. Depending on your surgery type, your doctor, any complications, you'll be released around 6-8 weeks, and you'll likely be advised to resume gradually rather than picking up right where you left off, for full recovery takes months. During that time everybody else's schedules need to be taken off of yours.

	Quote:
How many have actually used abdominal support bands? Do they really help to speed up recovery?

Oh, Sister... nothing speeds up recovery. Recovery happens as it happens. Some women find they love the support the binders give them - "stuff" doesn't move around. Some women try them and discard them, some like them for returning to work, then others like me... didn't want ANYTHING around their middles!

	Quote:
Oh, and for the frosting on the cake....my cycles haven't been trackable for some time now, so it was difficult to predict. So, of course, aunt Flo decided one last hoorah visit would be fun this morning! I haven't called my Dr, yet. Anyone else experience this? Will they still do the surgery if there is still flow next Monday? How long after surgery can I expect there to be bleeding?

If you're on your cycle pre-op, let 'em know. They'll stick a pad under you, and when you wake up from surgery, you won't be on your cycle. There are some women who have their surgery because they haven't stopped bleeding for weeks.

You might not have more than spotting (unless you have some kind of setback). Unlike childbirth, everything gets sutured up.

So, there are a lot of things to read here - there's an article written for just about every question you could possibly have! What most Sisters are going to tell you is to rest well. Seriously - enjoy the down time, because we get it so seldom

Don't worry abiut bleeding. I wnr in with a tampon amd pad, and just let them know. They took care of it in the OR. I had completely forgotten about it!

I had an abdominal procedure with a big vertical incision. I am one that LOVED my ab binder. My doc and I talked about it in advance and she had it in her orders going in. They put it on during the night after they took out my catheter and before I walked the halls. It was 3am, but they were so busy, and I told them to wake me if I was asleep, I just wanted that cath out and to get healing. It allowed me to stand up straight, held everything in, made coughing and sneezing bearable, and made getting in and out of bed easier. I know some didn't like it, but for me it was a lifesaver. I would suggest getting one from the hospital right after surgery so you have it, and if you don't like it you don't have to use it.

As far as activities go, your body is going to dictate that. I am short and fluffy, and not someone who worked out regularly (long walks was about it) but aside from the big uterus and fibroids, was in good health. I am the poster child for a quick and easy physical recovery. My doc calls me the curve breaker. I was out and about right from the start. BUT even with my situation, I was slow moving for the first couple of weeks, and knew it when I did too much too soon. You really don't want that. Most of us are not allowed to lift, push, or pull anything heavier than a gallon of milk for the first six-eight weeks, and no vacuuming, raking, or bending. Oh, and NO sex until you are cleared. You can do as much as you like within the bounds your doc sets, and as long as you feel good.

For me, emotions and fatigue were the biggest struggle. I had no post op bleeding or spotting at all, some of us do, some don't.

Most important thing is to listen to your body and do or don't do as it directs. If it was me, I would try to shift the things like Awana to someone else for the first few weeks, as well as the other things, save as much energy as you can for what you must do. I wasn't cleared and ready to drive until almost three weeks, and some sisters longer than that, so shift as much of that off too. Stress to others that you are having major surgery and need then to take some turns while you are recovering.

Oh, and if your two year old doesn't have one, get her a little stool so she can climb up on the couch or bed to snuggle and read stories, etc. Keep a pillow handy to put over your belly as a little buffer for well meaning hands, feet, heads. Practicing in advance may help her when you come home.

Good luck, and you'll be so glad to get to the other side! Even on the yuckiest day, it is much better than before!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Cussette You won't be doing laundry, cooking, cleaning for several weeks.

Better clarify "cooking"! I prepared side dishes, and my family made the freezer meals I'd made. Cooking is possible, though you might have to modify how, like not picking up heavy pans from way back in a cabinet or taking a heavy crockpot down. I enlisted the help of Hubs and TeenGirl for cooking gear access and taking things to the sink. Sometimes I'd sit and coach. Other things I'd have family place in easy reach for me. Heavy duty cooking like you might be doing now... yeah, that might have to be lightened up.