Pre-Op Hysterectomy: Open House Chat Thread - Today Nov 20, 2016

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Originally Posted by lagr222 Hi I'm 32 my hysterectomy is scheduled for 11/22. I have hematometra due to an ablation done 6 years ago. I also have endometriosis. I have other serious health conditions which makes the whole anesthesia part of this kind of scary. They are taking everything but the ovaries, but they may end up taking those as well. I'm having the Da Vinci but will extract through the vagina. I'm kind of worried about the pain afterwards and how easy moving will be.

Best wishes!

Hello, I am having my surgery on Wed. I go tomorrow for pre surgical testing, and wonder if I will pass. I am not sure what they look for. I am very stressed out. I have children, and don't want to leave them. I am 48 years old.I also regret not staying stick thin my whole life , and worry my belly will get in the way. The surgeon never said anything about it. I hope it goes well. I wish you all the best possible outcome. I have been trying to prepare but do not know what the wet wipes are for. I got the belly binder, and some other things that were mentioned, but wonder why I need wet wipes? I am having TAH , because my fibroid is too big to get laparoscopically.

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Originally Posted by Lucybumble Because my cyst is so large cancer has been queried so it'll be sent off to be analysed; my oncology gynaecologist thinks it's benign and my bloods have come back normal so I'm staying positive...although I'm worrying at the back of my mind that it may turn out suspicious. I am a teacher and I've got 6 weeks off work so I feel like that'll give me time to rest and heal afterwards. I've had three previous c-sections and I've been told my recovery will be faster than after the sections so I'm not worrying too much about that.

Hi Lucybumble!

First, I am sending you hugs that your pathology report comes back normal on your cyst. All tissue that is removed during surgery is sent to pathology to be analyzed, so try not to worry too much that they are doing this.

It's great that you have 6 weeks off work! It is natural to compare an abdominal hysterectomy to c-section, as it involves the same organ and has a similar incision. But other than those two points, there is not much else in common. Hysterectomy is a more invasive surgery. The uterine artery is severed, an organ is removed, the end of the vagina is sewn shut (creating the "vaginal cuff"), and the uterosacral ligaments (which used to support the uterus) are attached to the vaginal cuff to support the vagina.

We are all so different! Some women do say hysterectomy is easier, but many also say hysterectomy is a longer and more difficult recovery. I really don't want to be a Debbie Downer, I just don't want you to feel blind-sided if your recovery is more difficult. My motto is always: prepare for the worst, but anticipate the best! And I am sending hugs that you do great!

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Originally Posted by Lucybumble I'm worrying a bit about menopause being triggered if I lose both ovaries and I'm worried about our sex life afterwards. Looking forward to 'meeting' my fellow hyster sisters xx

Intimacy is a big concern for women having a hysterectomy. There is a wide range of opinions on this, from sex being so much better, to being worse, and everything in between. I think it also depends on your reason for surgery: some women have such pain and bleeding with sex, that after their uterus is removed it feels much better for them. Here are a couple articles for you:

Intimacy After Hysterectomy: Better or Worse?
10 Concerns About Intimacy After Hysterectomy
5 Surprising Facts About Intimacy After Hysterectomy

I am sending hugs for a safe surgery & peaceful recovery!

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Originally Posted by Strngwmn Hello, I am having my surgery on Wed. I go tomorrow for pre surgical testing, and wonder if I will pass. I am not sure what they look for. I am very stressed out. I have children, and don't want to leave them. I am 48 years old.I also regret not staying stick thin my whole life , and worry my belly will get in the way. The surgeon never said anything about it. I hope it goes well. I wish you all the best possible outcome. I have been trying to prepare but do not know what the wet wipes are for. I got the belly binder, and some other things that were mentioned, but wonder why I need wet wipes? I am having TAH , because my fibroid is too big to get laparoscopically.

Hi Strngwmn,

During the pre-op testing they generally check your blood pressure, make sure your heart and lungs sound good, do routine bloodwork to make sure everything there looks normal. Some doctors do a chest x-ray, and some do an ECG.

Don't worry about not being stick-thin! You may find the binder very helpful for holding your tummy snugly. It can make it easier to get up and to walk.

The wet wipes for generally for women who are having their uterus removed vaginally or are having repairs to their bladder and/or rectum. The tissues down below can get very tender and swollen so wet wipes are a gentle way to cleanse. Even though your surgery is abdominal, you may wish to get some to freshen up after spotting/bleeding.

Sending hugs for a great recovery!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Strngwmn Hello, I am having my surgery on Wed. I go tomorrow for pre surgical testing, and wonder if I will pass. I am not sure what they look for. I am very stressed out. I have children, and don't want to leave them. I am 48 years old.I also regret not staying stick thin my whole life , and worry my belly will get in the way. The surgeon never said anything about it. I hope it goes well. I wish you all the best possible outcome. I have been trying to prepare but do not know what the wet wipes are for. I got the belly binder, and some other things that were mentioned, but wonder why I need wet wipes? I am having TAH , because my fibroid is too big to get laparoscopically.

All the best!

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Originally Posted by damar Hi I'm Daisy- 40 with 4 kids. My hysterectomy is on Tuesday. I'm keeping my ovaries but having mesh put in, a&up repair and a hemmorhoid repair. This is my 3rd surgery since August and hopefully my last. I expect to be in the hospital over thanksgiving but no worries there since I'm totally off the hook for cooking and hosting. Just hoping recovery isn't too difficult since my last surgery was pretty tough--rectal reconstruction. But my GI surgeon is assisting in this one also since there is a bit more repair to do there. I'm not sure how I feel about all of it but trying to look past the next few weeks to my hope that in the next 3 months I will be living pain free and able to finally fully enjoy my body.

damar. Three surgeries since August . . . definitely praying this will be your last. Sending you and best wishes for your surgery. You have had a lot of repair work already with your rectal reconstruction . . . praying this final surgery goes smoothly and that you will heal well. Remember to have personal wipes, ice packs, and witch hazel pads/spray to help after your surgery.

Remember that we are here for you dear.

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Originally Posted by Ecisabella Hi, I'm 39 and scheduled for a laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy in the morning. I'm keeping my ovaries, but losing the Fallopian tubes. I have two kids: 9 and 6. I initially did so much research, but after I watched a YouTube video of a vaginal hysterectomy I thought it was time to stop. As a result, I admit I have not read too much about after care. I know to take things very easy and not lift anything and that I may get hideous gas pains that migrate up to my shoulder, but as for wound care or how things will feel around the surgery sites, I am quite unaware. I have just swallowed part 1 of bowel prep. I have to say, it didn't taste too bad. Sort of like a sweet club soda.

Hi Ecisabella. Best wishes on your surgery dear. I am very much of a researcher but I stopped when it came to watching too much. I decided it was better to not know all of the details.

The normal restrictions are no pulling, no pushing, no bending, and no lifting over a gallon of milk. Before you are released, you will be given discharge papers with your post op instructions and restrictions. Included in that will be your doctor's specific would care instructions and what to watch out for (i.e. redness, warm to the touch, any sign of infection, etc.) Before you check out, they will make sure that your pain is under control . Once you get home, it will be important to keep ahead of your pain and take your meds on time. Often doctors will suggest taking ibuprofen in between your pain meds . . . you might want to discuss this with your doctor.

I'm glad that your bowel prep isn't too bad . . . tomorrow at this time it will all be over and you will be on your road to recovery.

We will see you on the other side.

My name is Cheryl. I'm having surgery Tuesday morning. Hoping to leave ovaries, but I will have everything else removed. Ovaries will go too, if they're iffy. I'm trying to take it one day at a time and think positive. Hope we all do well.

Hi, I'm Sherri and I'm 48. My TAH is Tuesday the 22nd. I'm married and have a 9'yr old daughter. I have a grapefruit size cyst on my ovary and am also dealing with the pain of a failed ablation two years ago. That's actually what drove me to the Dr. On October 30th, I couldn't take the 10/10 pain and cramping for one more minute. My OB did some blood tests and my CA-125 was elevated at 162. She sent me to the oncology GYN. My endometrial biopsy and CT scan were both negative. The GYN said it's probably not cancer but the cyst is not totally fluid filled so she will send tissue off to the lab while I'm still asleep. I'm so nervous about everything... hoping for the best for all of us!

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Originally Posted by lagr222 Hi I'm 32 my hysterectomy is scheduled for 11/22. I have hematometra due to an ablation done 6 years ago. I also have endometriosis. I have other serious health conditions which makes the whole anesthesia part of this kind of scary. They are taking everything but the ovaries, but they may end up taking those as well. I'm having the Da Vinci but will extract through the vagina. I'm kind of worried about the pain afterwards and how easy moving will be.

lagr222. I understand your fears dear . . . sending you Your medical team will be made aware ahead of time about your health conditions. When your anesthesiologist comes in before surgery, be sure to go over the specifics again with him/her and the concerns that you have. S/he will be happy to talk you through them and let you know what they have put in place. After your surgery, the goal of the recovery team will be to be sure your pain is controlled . . . don't hesitate to let them know the level of your pain on a scale from 1-10. When you go home it will be important to keep ahead of your pain by taking your meds on time. Check with your doctor to see if s/he recommends taking ibuprofen in between pain meds.

Best wishes dear.