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What to expect?
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09-25-2009, 08:15 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 19
Hysterectomy: October 28th, 2009
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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What to expect?
Hi everyone. I'm scheduled for LSH on Oct. 28 for a partial hyst. Keeping my ovaries and cervix. I see a lot of posts about TLH and TAH, but I don't see many on LSH.
Can anyone tell me what to expect with this type of surgery? How long does it normally take? How long will I be in the hospital? How long will I be in bed after surgery?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm really nervous about this. My pre-op isn't until Oct. 13 and I'm just anxious to find out what I can without having to call my gyn every 5 minutes.
Thank you all!
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09-25-2009, 09:34 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 493
Hysterectomy: August 17th, 2009
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Re: What to expect?
Hi Donna!
I did not have an LSH, I had a reg TVH.
So, I know very little, but here's what I know!
I know that the laprascopic (I just can't spell that word!!!) surgeries seem to heal much faster in general than traditional surgeries. Abdomenally seems to take longest (in general, of course), then vaginally, then lap's.
Depending on what is causing the hyst in the first place, for some women partial hysterectomies are the best option. If your cervix isn't giving you any heck, and whatever is ailing you will not come back to haunt your cervix (things like endo or polyps will often grow wherever they can, and if we leave any of our uterus it will grow there), then you should be good to go! You've probably been doing research, so you know that if your cervix remains, there's a chance of having a mini period each month. Some sisters don't experience that, and other have had their cervixes cauterized and that has pretty much taken care of that!
I know that there have been sisters who have had it, so hopefully they will visit here and tell their stories. You may also find it helpful to go over to the post op side and use the google search and see what past threads pop up regarding this. I'll go do it now since I'm killing time.
Okay- I read through them too...so I'll tell you right now that you're going to hear a wide range of answers to your question. Some sisters bounced back in a couple of weeks, and some are taking longer to heal and bounce back. Every time and any time is "normal".... as far as hospital stays it seems that some do it as outpatient, and some have you stay the night. That will depend entirely on your dr!
Here you go!
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...d.php?t=379699
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...d.php?t=377623
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...d.php?t=378109
Nicki
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09-25-2009, 09:55 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 141
Hysterectomy: September 9th, 2009
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What to expect?
Hi Donna!
Nicki gave you some good info.
I had my LSH a little over two weeks ago. I stayed one night- other sisters have it on an out-patient basis (ie they went home the same day).
Personally I was happy to stay one night- the nurses were very attentive and helped me to manage my pain to the point where I had none. I was also still pretty loopy from anesthesia so I was glad I had my catheter in as I didn't have to get up to go.
My surgery took 2.25 hrs- I had an enlarged uterus and fibroids inside and out. I have three incisions and they are healing nicely.
I feel good- still tired- but that's to be expected. Even though it is a less invasive surgery than an abdominal, it's still a hysterectomy and healing still needs to occur internally (our innards don't take too kindly to being moved around).
My doctor told me recovery is between 4-6 weeks, slightly increasing my activity level after week two. It depends on the patient and doctor. DH is making sure I take that time to recover- he worries I'll do too much, too soon and have issues later on.
So I rest when I'm tired, take walks with DH and our dogs, eat healthfully and drink LOTS of water.
HTH! Good luck with your surgery- it was the best decision I ever made for my health and well-being. It was all over before I knew it!
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09-25-2009, 10:05 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 1,458
Hysterectomy: September 18th, 2006
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What to expect?
I had an LSH in 2006. I had a great experience.
Checked in to the hospital at 7AM. Was off to the OR at 8:45AM, do not recall anything past the elevator door to the next floor.
I woke up in recovery at 11:10 AM. I felt fine, for the place I was at. I didn't feel any pain and seemed to wake up quickly. The nurse gave me some ice chips and then removed the catheter (which went in once I was "out")
I was in my room by noon and then whisked off for a CT scan as my Dr saw something on my liver...turned out to be a benign cyst.
By 3PM I was eating a cheese plate. By 4PM I was up, using the bathroom and walking around the hallway with a nurse. On our walk, I asked what type of pain meds I was getting in my IV. The response....none. Fantastic. No pain meds, no pain.
Friends had told me to "stay ahead of the pain", so I did take half a dose of Oxicondon every 6 hours. It didn't seem to anything, and I didn't seem to need it, so I stopped taking it.
From the time I woke up in recovery, at 11:10 AM on Monday, until around 2AM on Tuesday, I was awake. I did not feel the need to sleep.
My hospital had all private rooms (thankfully), so that was easy.
The next day, I checked out at 2:30PM. My Dr. told me to stay through lunch (as my insurance plan was paying for that) and then decide when I was ready to go home....she would have authorized a second night, if I wanted to stay.
Once home, all went well, other than trying to figure out how to lay down in bed, comfortably. That took about 15 minutes. Once I figured out how to lie down and get back up the first time, it was easy.
I live in a house with many levels. My bedroom is about 40 steps from my front door. I just took it slow and going up the stairs was not a problem. I did not come back down for a few days as I didn't need to. My daughter and mother brought my meals up to me and I had my lap top to check in with the world, including this site.
By Thursday, I ventured down to my dining room, kitchen level, about 18 stairs. No problems.
I did take more time off than I intended to...I planned to be out for one week, but with my career (I am in the wine business and in and out of my car 15-20 times a day) this was not realistic. I ended up taking 5 weeks off and working via my cell phone (I earn a commission income with zero sick time or vacation pay) so working via phone, I was able to not only retain my normal income, but I made far more that month....ya just have to love sympathy purchases!!! LOL!
Once home, I did find that, for the first 4-5 weeks, I reverted to my old lifestyle, when I was in the music business.....I woke up around 10AM and didn't even think about sleeping until 2AM or so.
I would definitely recommend walking around your home as much as possible. Drinking a lot of water (I do that anyway and my nurses in the hospital were amazed at how much water I drank) and eat fiber in the forms of lettuce, fruits, vegetables, prunes, whole wheat.
The worst part, for me, was a bit of gas that at times bordered on slight pain. My first BM post-op was on Friday. I simply sat and took my time. I did not force it.....just relaxed and took my time. Once that happended, the gas discomfort was a thing of the past.
I hope this helps.
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09-26-2009, 07:40 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 19
Hysterectomy: October 28th, 2009
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What to expect?
Thank you, Nicki, Elizabeth, and Kathy! I guess I forgot to mention that the reason I'm having a hyst is because my uterus that according to my dr is supposed to be the size of a lemon is the size of a naval orange. This is due to a fibroid that's a little larger than a golf ball. Reading other postings where theirs was the size of footballs or melons, a little larger than a golf ball doesn't sound so bad, I guess. I have several other fibroids, but that one is the biggest.
Suffering from bad pain the first few days of my period, and spotting after I'm supposed to be done my period. Major bloating, pressure, every day.
Thanks again for all your help! Everyone here is so great! I think that once the dr tells you a hyst is in order, they should give out a pamphlet on this site!! It's just been so helpful!
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09-26-2009, 08:28 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 723
Hysterectomy: October 27th, 2009
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What to expect?
Hi Donna,
I am scheduled for LSH on the 27th of Oct. one day before you. We have the same issue. My uterus is a little larger than it should be due to fibroid(S). Bleed heavy first couple of days with large blood clots and spotting 4 to 5 days after. bloating and pressure.
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09-26-2009, 08:47 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 19
Hysterectomy: October 28th, 2009
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What to expect?
Kishey, I wish you luck! I'll be using my son's laptop after surgery to keep in touch with the outside world, including my hystersisters!
Your symptons sound very similar to mine. I just thought it was a sign of getting older, I'm 42. Last year my uterus was fine, but this year things felt a little different and it hurt when she did her internal exam. So off for an ultrasound I went! Then she told me I had to go see a specialist to go over the results. I decided to go see the same dr that did my tubal in 2001. He is the best! Listens to what I have to say.
He said recovery can take as little as a couple of weeks or as much as 8 weeks. He told me to listen to my body and he wouldn't clear me to go back to work until I was ready. That he has no problem with keeping me out for as long as I need. I love having a dr that will actually listen to you. As he says, who knows your body better?
Good luck with your surgery!!
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09-26-2009, 12:36 PM
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Posts: 5,642
Hysterectomy: December 26th, 2008
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What to expect?
Hi Donna, and
I also had a golf-ball sized fibroid. It caused me such intense and constant pain that I am relieved that's as big as it got.
It sounds like you have a terrific who listens to you and wants the best possible recovery for you.
Have you ordered our free booklet? You can find the link at the top right of the screen. After I received mine, I read it cover-to-cover and carried it around with me in my purse. It was so comforting to have so much information right with me.
I'm so glad you found us before your surgery. As you can tell from the replies here, the women on this website are open and willing to share their experiences to help another sister on her journey.
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09-26-2009, 02:06 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 723
Hysterectomy: October 27th, 2009
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: What to expect?
When I first had heavy bleeding, That's what it was heavy bleeding. Bleeding every third week for two weeks. This was back in the early 90's my dr. put me on BC's to regulate the bleeding. It helped and he said if you have another baby your symptoms will change. At the time I did not have a desire to have a a second child. Well, in 96 I have my dd. And it did help I thought I was cured. Until '05 the symptoms returned with fibroid trailing behind. We tried the BC's again and that didn't help, D&C didn't help. I scheduled for a LSH earlier this year and then I got terrified reading all the horror stories on the post op forums and I canceled.Then I was just going to do the ablation until I started having pains that felt like I was in labor.
I too will have my dd (darling daughter) laptop during recovery.
Let's keep in touch
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