What questions did you wish you'd asked your surgeon at pre-hysterectomy appointment but didn't

I have my pre op with my doctor this week. Any words of wisdom? I took a look at the list of questions on the app here but wondering if there was anything you wished you had asked your surgeon but didn't.

Good question! I wish I had asked if I would have vaginal packing or not. ( I didn't, but some ladies do)
I am very glad I verified with him before surgery that if for any reason I had to have a abdominal inscion, that unless it was a matter of life or death to make sure to give me a c-section type cut so the scar could be hidden. I highly recomend discussing the ''back up plan'' you want if there is any unforseen problem with the type of surgery you picked.

Hi there!

I too have my pre-op this week so I will be watching your question for any information! It seems like everyone's experience is so very different...I am waiting to find out bowel prep, no bowel prep, EKG ect. I know that there are different anti nausea medications too...

I'm off to see if I can find the thread discussing pre-op questions.

Best of luck,

I would ask if you are having stitches or staples.
I'd want to know how he/she decides to keep ovaries, cervix, etc. once inside.
I'd want to know if they have help doing the surgery, especially if it is a teaching hospital.
What materials will be used in the surgery.
How long it might last.

I went into surgery feeling comfortable about the surgery. But given that I was having my ovaries out I wish I had spoken to a menopause specialist before surgery so that I was better prepared.
I would be asking your doctors to leave your ovaries in and asking what criteria they use to decide whether to take them out.
Also ask about what post op complications they see and the number of complications.

I'm preparing my list for my upcoming consult:

Who will make sure I take my thyroid medicine post op & the following morning?
For office staff: has the pre-certification with my insurance been completed?
Since no bowel prep beforehand by me, will there be an enema at the hospital?
Shaving at the hospital?
Catheter inserted before or after anesthesia?
Bladder tack or sling if emergency necessity?
Keep ovaries but remove tube?
During surgery, saline or other solution to prevent adhesions?
Will you remove small cyst on left ovary?
Will I need stool softeners or will my high fiber diet be OK?
What Rx for pain meds?

Ask about leaving ovaries, one of mine was taken for a reason I don't believe was necessary, I wish I would have let the Dr know I wanted it and would have risked a second surgery to remove it.
I wish I talked with my Dr about pelvic floor physical therapy, I didn't know what it was until I had a problem post op, but my pt thinks its a good thing for every woman to go to after child birth or hysterectomy.
What supplements would be best to take to help prevent osteoporosis, to help the heart.
These are all things I've had to investigate and learn on my own.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Honeyr34 Ask about leaving ovaries, one of mine was taken for a reason I don't believe was necessary, I wish I would have let the Dr know I wanted it and would have risked a second surgery to remove it. I wish I talked with my Dr about pelvic floor physical therapy, I didn't know what it was until I had a problem post op, but my pt thinks its a good thing for every woman to go to after child birth or hysterectomy. What supplements would be best to take to help prevent osteoporosis, to help the heart. These are all things I've had to investigate and learn on my own.

Thanks so much! Just jotted these on my list before I head out the door

Thanks again Amypod for thinking to ask this!

Hope everything goes well for you,