From Constipation To A Hysterectomy

HELLO,

I'VE JUST CAME FROM A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT THAT I HAD MADE BECAUSE OF CONSTIPATION THAT ALWAYS SEEMED TO BE AROUND, I LEFT WITH THE NEWS THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE A HYSTERECTOMY TO REMOVE 4 LARGE FIBROIDS THAT WERE GOLF BALL SIZE OR LARGER. WHAT A SURPRISE! WE NEVER DID FIGURE OUT THE CONSTIPATION PROBLEM! SINCE MY APPOINTMENT THREE HOURS AGO, I HAVE HEARD ABOUT "SWELLY BELLY", WEIGHT GAIN, BELLY PILLOWS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE! THE DOCTOR WANTED TO DO MY SURGERY ON FRIDAY! YES THIS FRIDAY! I BEGGED AND PLEADED WITH HIM TO WAIT UNTIL MID JUNE, WHATS THREE MORE BOXES OF TAMPONS AND PADS!

I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS TO MY DOCTOR AT THE TIME BECAUSE I WAS EXPECTING SOME FIBER THERAPY TREATMENT, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE PHYICALLY BEFORE SURGERY SO I CAN MAYBE HEAD OFF THE WEIGHT GAIN, ECT? I'M ABOUT NORMAL WEIGHT, WOULDN'T HURT TO LOSE 5 OR 10 LBS. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THE RECOVERY TIME TO SHORTEN? HE'S GOING TO TRY TO DO A VAGINAL HYS BUT MAY END UP DOING AN ABDOMINAL HYS. I HAVE 4 WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY AND WANT TO TO WHAT EVER I CAN TO GET BACK ON MY FEET AFTERWARDS. WE RANCH AND DO ALOT ON HORSEBACK, TRACTORS ECT. EVERYTHING THAT DOSEN'T HAVE SHOCK ABSORBERS. I GUESS RIGHT NOW MY HEAD IS SPINNING SO PLEASE EXCUSE ANY DUMB QUESTIONS.

WONDERING AND STILL CONSTIPATED (SMILE),

DELANA

You poor girl....talk about a whirl wind! The first thing I suggest for you to do is go to the search engine in this site and type in a few key words for your questions. That is how I got started

I am so glad that you found this site! It made such a difference for me in my pre and post up efforts.

The most important thing that I can say, is to stay connected to this site and ask as many questions as you can......

Take care and keep us posted....

My experience was similar to yours (in the surprise factor). I had about 3 weeks to prepare and like you, sat in the doc's office with my mouth hanging wide open, in shock! you need to call your doc back and ask to talk to the head nurse, hysterectomy nurse....whatever they call their nurse that deals with questions. she can probably answer questions about your returning to your ranch life. my guess, 6 weeks before you can do much of anything. i think leading a horse around, riding, etc will be longer. you can not lift anything for a while even with a lap/vag hysterectomy. i have a desk job, so was able to return to work much earlier as i sat all day and even had a couch in my office, so i could lay down and rest. prepare yourself for doing nothing in the foreseeable future, so you will be pleased when released to do much! my doc told my husband upon my release from the hosp that i was able to sleep, shower, eat, go to the toilet, sleep, shower, eat, go to the toilet, sleep, shower, eat, go to the toilet for the first 2 weeks. check out this site for all the info....it is a help. plan on doing nothing for two weeks.....but, do call your doc's office and ask to speak to a nurse about this.

good luck
it was the best thing i ever did! i had some complications, infections, etc.......but i am still VERY happy i did it!
nel

WE NEVER DID FIGURE OUT THE CONSTIPATION PROBLEM!

In my case one fibroid was pressing into the rectum and causing the constipation problems. The symptoms were more prevalent at the time of my period. End result-I had a sub total hysterectomy keeping one ovary and the cervix. The constipation problems were not minor(sp?). I had been seeing a gastroentologist for a few years. FYI - Miralax is a good prescription laxative that did wonders for me right before and after surgery. As far as the preparation I exercised and tried to be in as good as shape as i could for the surgery. This was just my experience.

HondoSam

Fibroids can push other organs which can be a contributing factor in bowel problems. I ate 2-3 dried plums (prunes) at breakfast once I returned home from the hospital & had no problem with constipation. You will need to hold a pillow against your abdomen the first few times you have a bowel movement. I suggest trying the dried plums & seeing if it helps you now before your surgery.

Wow thats quick. You will be fine its just the shock factor.

However I assume that some fibroids can just be removed or left. My sister in law has suffered with them for years and has still had three healthy pregnancies and was told that the pregnancies would shrink them! She has never been told about having a hysterectomy at all but just put up with them!

Good luck to you I am sure your doc has made the right decision for you but do read up all you can on this website, it is invaluable!