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Hi
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05-22-2005, 12:59 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 6
Hysterectomy: May 16th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Hi
Hi ladies. Though you don't me I've been reading your posts for about a month now and I feel so blessed that I found this site. I had my surgery Monday the 16th and am very happy to have it over with. Now I have questions, oh so many questions.
My life has been quite hectic for the past year. I started my own business, am now responsible for 4 people and their families and really didn't have time to do the research before the fact. So....a week ago (14 hours before surgery) I bought the Menoupause for Dummies book and Sexy Years. Talk about overwhelming! Since life hasn't slowed down for me, my body somehow must figure out how to speed up! I'm trying so very hard to be a good girl and be patient. I'm wondering if you girls could help me out by giving me your two cents on the following:
1) I had two C-sections (vertical incision). I only remember how terrible it was having the staples removed each time and am dreading it tomorrow! Have techniques improved? I'm panicking.
2) Does everyone get really bruised all over lower belly?
3) When do you start HRT? The weepies have definitely started and it hurts to cry and then laugh!
4) When is it safe to sleep on our side? My incision just seems like it'll split right open!
5) When is it safe to go for a car ride...I'm stir crazy!
My doc was quite "to the point" and didn't expound on anything. Had excessive bleeding, fibroid tumors and was in that "grey area" of time, age 44 so he took everything out. The morning after surgery he came in and said it was imperative that I get out of bed and start walking. He proceeded to take the bulb out, all the while saying "help me out here, you're not an invalid". My mother seems to remember dancing a week after her hyst! She has always seen the world through rose colored glasses though and can't even remember what type of medication she was on.
Well, there's so much more I want to say, but that's enough for starters. Any advice is much appreciated. It so helps me knowing that you are out there!
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05-22-2005, 01:42 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 21
Hysterectomy: May 2nd, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Hi
Hi, I hope this helps. I had my surgery on 5/02/05.
Did you have a vertical or horizontal incision?
Doesn't really matter, you can still turn in bed, most hospitals will have the nurses come in and turn you the night of surgery. Get lots of pillows and make yourself comfortable.
As to when you start on hormones, that depends on your doc and you. Some docs will put a patch on you during surgery. I started mine the day after. Have you decided if you wanted to use the patch or the pills? Did you discuss it with your doc? If you smoke, they may be more hesitant due to the risk of blood clots, but usually there is no reason for you to not already be on hormones.
You can usually go for short rides in the car, they just don't want you to drive. The idea is to not strain your abdominal muscles. You also cannot lift anything.
As for dancing the week after surgery...hah! Shuffling to the bathroom and back to the recliner was more like it. Not advised!
Hope this helps, Melenie
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05-22-2005, 02:01 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 82
Hysterectomy: May 5th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Hi
Hi commdesign,
I can only answer one of your questions and that's #2, I had my surgery on 5/5/05 and I was very brused on my belly about 1 to 2 inches below my navel, and well down into my pubic area. I was many colors of the rainbow and my hubby found it quite facinating.
I had internal stitches that dissolved so I don't have to have anything removed. I hope you staple removal goes ok.
Oh yes, I can also answer #4. I could lay on my side right away. As a matter of fact when I 'came to' at the hospital I was laying on my side while the nurse was doing something (I don't remember what). I found it uncomfortable to lay on my side for a few days (I also felt like I was coming apart or that my belly would just all slosh down and I would end up with a lump of flesh stuck to one side but it's getting better now.
All the best
fin834
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05-22-2005, 02:33 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 44
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Hi
1.) I don't know if techniques have changed but having the staples removed didn't hurt at all.
2.) I didn't have any bruising.
3.) Can't help you with that they left my ovaries so fortunately I didn't have to start HRT. My Dr said if they did it would start in about 3 weeks.
4.)I was able to move from side to side by day two. Wasn't the most comfortable position for me though.
5.) As far as driving. My discharge instructions said 2 weeks.....I was out driving exactly two weeks after my discharge it felt so good I was going stir crazy.
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05-22-2005, 03:40 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 323
Hysterectomy: May 9th, 2005
Ovaries: Removed both
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Hi
Hi Comm,
1)Staples? Can't help you there, I didn't get staples with a bikini cut
2) Does everyone get really bruised all over lower belly? I had a large 4x4 inch bruise a couple inches below my belly button and another very large bruise that covered the entire area where hair grows. I think they were from the clamps.
3) When do you start HRT? The weepies have definitely started and it hurts to cry and then laugh! For me I started with the patch the morning after surgery. So far 2 weeks post op, no problems.
4) When is it safe to sleep on our side? My incision just seems like it'll split right open! I have been sleeping on my side since I got out of the hospital, it felt wonderful to get into my own bed! I would suggest having a pillow between your knees and one smooshed against tummy this eases the side sleeping.
5) When is it safe to go for a car ride...I'm stir crazy! I have been going for short 20 minute maximum rides since I got home from the hospital, no driving of course, but husband and daughter are very good about getting me out for a little while at a time. We have even gone to the movies 3 times. I usually rent a wheel chait at the mall, because walking alot bothers me and causes swell belly
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05-22-2005, 03:49 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 6
Hysterectomy: May 16th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Hi
Oh it feels so wonderful knowing I'm not alone. Thanks so much. I'm just so worried to get these 50+ staples out tomorrow. Give me strength! I'm feeling like such a crybaby these days. Thanks again.
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05-22-2005, 03:56 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 24
Hysterectomy: April 18th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Hi
Hope this helps! I'm loving reading all the stuff - just wish I had found this site prior to my surgery!
I had a vertical incision (just above bb to pubic bone) and lots of staples. Dreaded taking them out, but it was a piece of cake except for 1 that stung a little. Didn't even feel most of them coming out, and I watched!
I had very little bruising about half-way down my incision...pale yellow.
Had a patch on when I woke up from surgery, and I'm wearing one now. Not very good at taking pills. My doc says that the low dosage I'm using is the same as what my ovaries were producing.
Couldn't sleep on my side for a couple of weeks, and when I started, I propped my small "belly" pillow under it. Seems like EVERYTHING is flopping around in there!
Took a ride in the car after being home a week - put my "belly" pillow under the seat belt and sat in the back away from the air bag. Just started driving short distances a few days ago (I was chicken!!)
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