Happy outcome four weeks out from TVH with BSO for uterine prolapse

I am currently 54 years old. In the spring of 2012, I was diagnosed with severe uterine prolapse. I had four vaginal births with each of my children weighing over nine pounds. That apparently had taken a toll on my body. I was sent for a vaginal ultrasound and had a biopsy of my uterus to make certain nothing else was going on. Fortunately, there were no other issues found. My doctor recommended a LAVH with BSO under general anesthesia. Since I hadn’t had a period since September of 2011, he recommended removal of my ovaries. I was schedule for 7/19/12. My insurance had determined that this was a “non-invasive” procedure (sounded invasive to me to remove an organ no matter how it was removed) so I wouldn’t technically be admitted to the hospital. I would be released in 23 hours. I had never had surgery, so I was quite apprehensive about the procedure, anesthesia and pain following surgery. Also, we had a family vacation planned for 8/5 to Busch Gardens in Virginia (just 17 days following my surgery and a five hour drive). My doctor felt that as long as the surgery went as planned, I would be fine to go on vacation as long as I took it easy.

I arrived at the hospital on the 19th about 10:30 a.m., was brought back, given giant warm antiseptic wipes to cleanse my body and a gown to change into. My doctor came in to speak with me as well as the anesthesiologist. I was given Versed, which makes you relaxed. I remember being rolled down to the OR and seeing my doctor there at about 12:45 p.m. My next memory is waking up in recovery. I had a catheter and IV, but the breathing tube had been pulled prior to waking up. My only pain was in my low back. I asked if I could lie on my side. They rolled me over and put a pillow behind me for support. I felt much better. I asked was time it was and was shocked to hear that it was 5:20 p.m. I thought the surgery would only be two to three hours long. When I got to my room, my husband told me the great news that my surgeon took the longer approach and did a transvaginal hysterectomy without the use of any laparoscope. No incisions at all on the outside!! I was sleepy and had no appetite, but was not experiencing any pain. I was given Percocet so I would remain pain free. At about 10:00 p.m., my catheter was pulled. The first night was tough. Every time the nurse would try to get me up to urinate, I felt like I was going to pass out and was very nauseous. My doctor came in about 7:00 a.m. Friday morning and was quite annoyed that he hadn’t been told I was having difficulty getting up. (He had been at the hospital all night delivering babies) He ordered my blood pressure be taken while standing up. My pressure was 84/50 when standing, which explained my difficulty. (Really surprising since I actually have hypertension). I was finally able to urinate at about 7:30 a.m. They temporarily switched my IV to help raise my blood pressure and drew blood for a blood count, which was low. My doctor said I wasn’t going home that day. I was admitted to the hospital. I still didn’t have an appetite and rested all day. My only pain was in my rib cage area from the gas used during surgery. I had what felt like mild menstrual cramps. I made myself eat something light at dinner. The next day, my blood count was still low. They pulled my IV thinking all of the fluid may be diluting my blood. I wasn’t experiencing much bleeding from the surgery itself, so it didn't appear that I was having any issues with bleeding from my sutures. On Saturday at 3:00 p.m., they drew blood again. My blood count was starting to go up so I was released from the hospital, but given a RX for iron to use for the next month. I was also given prescriptions for Percocet and Motrin 600 mg for any pain.

I felt okay for the first few days. Finally had a bowel movement on Monday. The gas pain is tough! I took Gas X and stool softeners. On Tuesday (five days post-op), I got on the scale and discovered that I was about nine pounds heavier than usual from all of the excess fluid. My body decided to get rid of that fluid over the next two days. By Thursday, one week post-op, I felt awful. I had a fever, headache and nausea and felt like I was in a fog. Although I had been drinking fluids, it was not enough to keep up with my output and I was dehydrated. I spoke with my doctor’s office and they recommended light meals and increased fluids, especially Gatorade. By Friday, with the increased fluids, I was feeling much better. By Saturday and Sunday, I had made the turn to really feeling better. Everyday I felt better and better.

I work from home as a medical transcriptionist and actually started doing a little work on Tuesday, 12 days post-op. I had a follow-up with my doctor that day as well. He was very pleased with my progress and cleared me to go on vacation. He said he'd see me back next year for my yearly exam unless I experienced any changes. Each day that week, I walked more and more to prepare for vacation. I went to the supermarket a few times and then walked around the mall for a little while the day before we left. I’m happy to report that I did go to Virginia only 17 days following my surgery. I took it easy walking around, found benches in the shade to rest and did not go on any rides. I did just fine!

I am now four weeks out from my surgery. On my doctor’s advice, I am still not doing any heavy lifting or vacuuming. I am doing light housework, cooking and working without any problems. I’m so grateful that I have had a great outcome and have such an awesome surgeon. I never really experienced pain from the surgery, just the gas pain and mild cramping. I have only had a little discharge following the surgery, which increased a little as I increased my activity, but barely anything at all! My biggest issue was from the dehydration. Once I got that under control, I was good to go!

I'm so glad my surgery is behind me. I'm looking forward to getting back to all of my normal activities in the next couple of weeks!