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What can I expect in the hospital?
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06-25-2012, 10:54 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 10
Hysterectomy: July 17th, 2012
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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What can I expect in the hospital?
I am scheduled for a TAH mid July and I mean everything from ovaries to uterus to cervix. Anyway, I've been reading posts and no one has really talked about what to expect in the hospital. These are some of my questions:
1. Will I have a catheter in and if so for how long?
2. How long till I can get up and walk around?
3. How do I take a shower or clean up while in hospital? Especially wash hair?
4. Will I have vaginal bleeding even though they will be getting everything via an abdominal inscision?
5. I am asuming I will be on a pain med (morphine) pump.
I bought a gown to wear the first night or two and then a pair of pajamas for after that. Can you give me any other suggestions on what to bring from home that made you more comfortable.
Anything anyone can tell me about their hospital experience will be great.
Thank you so much in advance for any advice.
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06-25-2012, 11:10 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 339
Hysterectomy: June 6th, 2012
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What can I expect in the hospital?
Hi Khoody,
I had an LAVH, cervix removed and kept both ovaries. I was in the hospital 1 night, they took the catheter out the morning after surgery and I was walking after the catheter was removed. I waited until I got home to shower, but I previously had an appendectomy and spent a few days in the hospital, basically wipe down baths and my husband washed my hair over the sink in my bathroom. I would ask your dr about bleeding, though I suspect you will wake up with a pad on because of the vaginal cuff in place of your cervix. I have a cuff and have had nothing more than light, light spotting here and there. I had a pain pump, dilaudid, it was removed in the AM and I switched to hydrocodone but didn't take it for very long. I was told to take nothing to the hospital with me except for the clothes I was wearing. I did take a pillow pet, it was nice company when no one was there and great between me and the seatbelt on the ride home. In the hospital I watched tv and slept, some ladies take cell phones, games, etc. I requested a book from my husband, but didn't read any of it. I hope this helps some. I say take what you think will make you feel the most comfortable. Thoughts and prayers your way!
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06-25-2012, 11:41 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 10
Hysterectomy: July 17th, 2012
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: What can I expect in the hospital?
Hi Chinfrey!
Thank you so much. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I had never heard of a vaginal cuff - thank you for mentioning that so I can ask my doctor to explain more about that to me.
Take care.
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06-25-2012, 12:08 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 119
Hysterectomy: May 3rd, 2012
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: What can I expect in the hospital?
I had the same surgery as you. Here was my experience and I have noted similarity in other TAH patients.
1.Catheter comes out next day, about 24 hours. Unless there is something significantly wrong this is always the case.
2.They get you up right after the catheter is out to go to the bathroom on your own. They also encourage walking that day to help with the gas pains.
Morphine pump (if given) will be out same time as catheter. For me they did this in succession. Catheter out. Morphine pump out, IV out (but left it open for other meds but no more IV drips at this point), then walk to the bathroom
3, the next day you will be able to shower as normal, there are no restrictions. I had staples down my whole front and there isn't an issue with showering from the get go. Now whether you really FEEL like showering may be another story.
4. I had slight bleeding, looked more like coffee grounds similar to earlier biopsies (if you had one). Yes you will still have a little if they took your cervix from the vaginal cuff they make for you. It has to come out somewhere and the cuff doesn't seal you off for weeks to come.
5. Don't be surprised if you stay in the hospital gown the whole time. It is more comfortable. You will probably find pajamas are not your friend for awhile. I still do not like much around my waist 8 weeks out, just now doing it more.
Hope this helped. Good luck to you!
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06-25-2012, 12:16 PM
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Posts: 12,392
Hysterectomy: October 15th, 2009
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: What can I expect in the hospital?
I had a catheter overnight and was up walking with it the same night as the surgery. I wore the hospital gown, the IV gets in the way. I took next to nothing but that was enough anyway. My room had a shower but I waited until I got home the next day. If you can't shower, you'll have a wipe down bath. The nurses can help you. I never had a pain pump. I had IV meds the nurse gave me overnight, then pills the next day. It all went very smoothly, I had good nurses. Best wishes for a good experience for you.
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06-25-2012, 02:39 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 481
Hysterectomy: May 24th, 2012
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What can I expect in the hospital?
I had a TAH and had the catheter in for 24 hours. The first night, I had to sit up a couple of times and just dangle my feet over the edge of the bed.
Once the catheter came out I was free to walk around. I still had my IV in so taking a shower would have been difficult. I was able to wash myself unassisted in the bathroom. I didn't take a shower until I got home. I couldn't wait to wash my hair! lol I showered unassited at home as well.
The only vaginal bleeding I had was remants of my period. I was on my period the day of my surgery. It was maybe the size of a nickel or quarter...just a spot. I'm 4 weeks post-op and so far, I haven't had any more bleeding. I wore a pad for a week or so just in case. Now I keep panty liners on, but I normally like to wear those anyways.
I had the morphine pump and it kept my pain under control. I had my IV on until the day I went home. Surgery was on a Thursday and I went home Saturday afternoon. They took my morphine pump off in the morning and then I went to oral pain meds before I went home.
I packed light. I took travel sizes of deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, moisturizer, lip balm, etc., I wore a loose skirt & shirt to the hospital and wore the same thing home. While in the hospital, I just used their gowns & non-slip socks. I wore those mesh underwear home that they give you in the hospital. Super comfy. So comfy in fact, that I grabbed 4 more pair, lol. They are great for the swelling tummy we have after surgery and in recovery.
I had a good experience at the hospital from beginning to end.
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06-25-2012, 04:44 PM
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Posts: 11,979
Hysterectomy: March 26th, 2012
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What can I expect in the hospital?
Hi KHOODY
I had a TAH kept my ovaries.
I found that the hospital gown and another turned around to use as a robe and the slipper socks that they gave me was much more comfortable than my robe, slippers and nightshirt that I brought. I never even used it. I took travel toiletries with me. Don't forget your phone charger. You'll find that you won't need a lot
1. I slept very well the 1st day. I had clear liquids for dinner and lunch the next day. Didn't have much of an appetite though.
2. Catheter and morphine drip, IV was removed morning of 2nd day. Then was given pain meds and stool softener by mouth.
3. was able to go to the bathroom unassisted. After that the nurse assissted me with walking the unit hall.
4. By the afternoon the binder that my dr. ordered had arrived and I was a new person. The support allowed me to stand up straighter so that I could walk better.
4. I was able to take a shower unassisted and I felt so much better. Oh I did bring shower shoes.
5. 3rd day. Real food for breakfast and lunch. Wasn't nauseous any more one morphine drip was removed.
6. Discharged at 2
Don't worry if you don't have a BM before you leave the hospital, I didn't have mine until my second day home.
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06-26-2012, 06:47 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 36
Hysterectomy: June 20th, 2012
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What can I expect in the hospital?
I had a TAH-kept ovaries and my hospital stay was similar to the other ladies. They put leg squeezers (for circulation) on prior to surgery and they were removed the following morning, along with catheter, Morphine pump and IV. I liked the leg squeezers. They gave a constant, gentle massage and mine had a very quiet motor so it didn't interfere with sleep or bother me in any way.
I only had a little vaginal bleeding after surgery…nothing after the second day. I also took home extra mesh panties…they're great! I wore the hospital gown until I took a shower Friday morning (surgery was Wed. Morning), I then put on my own gown until I went home at 2pm. I had a bikini cut and now that I'm home I wear pajama bottoms with no problem. I just wear a larger size so they aren't tight on my belly.
I took my cell phone and iPad and I used both quite a bit. Once I came out of recovery at around 11am, I was awake and alert so I was really glad I had them. My pain was controlled (I still haven't had any bad pain) and I slept great at night, but very little during the day. I had a private room so I was able to watch what I wanted on TV, but I spent the majority of my time on this site reading posts.
Check with your doctor before surgery to find out if he/she will be getting you a binder. If not, I would highly recommend that you get one yourself. They are a tremendous help. My doctor put one on me during surgery and I love it!
Good luck!
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06-26-2012, 10:02 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 26
Hysterectomy: April 19th, 2012
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: What can I expect in the hospital?
Hi Khoody,
I had a scroll through replies so far, and there seems to be a lot of good info here. I have a few things to add, some might be common sense, but hey, we go into this usually in physical and emotional discomfort, so common sense might need a poke or two
I saw the mention of socks, and slippers. My advise in this regard is to bring comfortable, supportive slides that are easy to put on without bending!!! Your number one job in the first bit will be to get up and get moving, no matter how slowly, and doing that with propper footwear makes all the difference to your posture. Everyone's instinct seems to be to shuffle-slump. It's natural, we are in fact wounded. You give yourself the best chance at healing well, by starting with the best posture you can manage. This is what the 'binder' also assists with. I personally didn't use the binder until I was home for about a week and ready to actually attempt longer walks. It will depend on what shape your abs are in prior to surgery I suspect . Just keep in mind that no matter how toned you may or may not be going in, it's a whole new ball game post. Nothing like an incision to level the playing field
I purposely asked friends to save visits till I was home. If all goes well' it's a very short time you have in the hospital to really focus on you and your healing. You only get one chance to really do it right. Many I've talked to have said that they sooooo wished they had done the same, as they felt exhausted after visits.
Bring a note book, and keep it close. Some of the most important questions I had, I had at... 3am and morphine and other pain assist meds have a way of helping you forget
Listen to YOUR BODY !
Know your own chart. (info specific to you)
I had an allergic reaction to the tape that the initial dressing was put on with. Huge blisters. Blisters are not the norm. So- notice, ask and deal.
I wore a band that said no codeine. Day two I was handed two little pills in a cup. They were Tylenol 3. If i didn't ask more about it, i would not have been told that the 3 means with codeine! So I refused them, and the next time I saw a Doc, explained and asked to have it removed from my chart. It took two more rounds before all the paperwork caught up. It's helpful to keep in mind that nurses are following instruction and not able to make those changes.
One more thing on my personal must know list.
Bring a small pillow (travel size, or infant size) . It will help more than you can ever imagine when it comes to getting up, walking , coughing, the dreaded sneeze , and is an absolute must under your seatbelt for the trip home.
I'm at week 8 now TAH both tubes, both ovaries and cervix, and doing so well that I feel I can offer this advise with confidence. There will be things that come up for you that will be different, but you found this site, and that's an awesome thing in my opinion.
Feel free to ask anything, anytime.
Breath deep
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06-26-2012, 10:37 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 119
Hysterectomy: May 3rd, 2012
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: What can I expect in the hospital?
I wanted to add about that pillow, take plenty, leave them in the vehicle except for one (you will need it in the hospital). I used one between me and the seatbelt and the others around me until I got comfortable. I had a very long drive home, about 100 miles. Even short trips you will feel every bump so make sure you take any prescribed pain meds about an hour before leaving.
A nurse gave me this advice and it really helped.
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