Upcoming hysterectomy August 25th

Least to say it is weird timing having a hysterectomy during a divorce. Ironic timing to say the least. I have a few ?'s. Panties ladies.... What's been more comfortable? Granny or hip hugger? I've been hearing both. Also how much bleeding do I need to expect afterwards? My post op directions say I'm going home with a catheter? Is this normal? It's freaking me out! My sister and parents are driving down to help out the first week then I was going to go to my sisters the 2nd week. Is this doable you think? Road trip is 6 1/2 hrs. I won't be driving. So many?'s, sorry! Feeling alone right now! Thank goodness for extended family!

Hi KareBear1980 - I had TAH on August 2, 2016 - yes, last week and I was totally scared also! My recovery has been VERY well- the hardest part is taking it easy! I feel great under the circumstances and YOU WILL NEED HELP when you get home. I was only in the hospital for 1 night. I did NOT ** home with a catheter. I had a very small amount of bleeding after the surgery. I will be praying for you!

My surgery was also laparoscopic, and I chose bikini panties, figuring that they wouldn't bother my incisions. Some discharge is normal for the first week, then again around the third week, as your vaginal cuff starts to heal, and the internal stitches start to dissolve. I had a catheter for the first night, while I was in the hospital, then it was removed the next morning, before I was discharged, but every situation is different. As for your upcoming road trip, I would recommend a small pillow to protect your belly, and frequent breaks, so you can get out and walk around. Best wishes for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery!

You're not kidding that the timing couldn't be worse...

Since you're having a laparo, you might do fine with hipsters. I wear bikinis, and the elastic didn't sit on any of my incisions. Having said that... the hospital provided a pack of mesh panties. Horrid fashion statement, but oh-so-comfortable! They rested around my lower glue-sealed incisions, but were so stretchy I didn't notice.

I had no bleeding, though I kept my cervix and did not have a vaginal cuff. I'll defer answers to other Sisters. Most seem to have the type of bleeding which are contained with lighter pads or panty liners.

Catheters are at-home only if you're not able to go on your own at the hospital because your bladder is still not functioning. That's not dependent upon the type of surgery you have. They usually try to make sure you can pee before you leave. Mine was removed about 12:30am during my overnighter (a rather amusing story), and I was fine the rest of my stay.

It's great that your sister and parents are coming down to help the first week. My guy took off for a week. By the start of my second week (Day #8) I was doing alright enough to fix my own breakfast, lunch and shred/steam veggies to go with dinner. What I wouldn't be too sure about is a 6-1/2 hour road trip that close post op - you're going to be fatigued at home, needing to rest after each activity. For a trip that long you'll need plenty of breaks, pillows to make you comfortable (back pain is an issue early on since our abs core is not supporting us), and early on there's still a possibility of blood clots. Plus there's packing which you won't be able to do with lifting, reaching and bending. I wouldn't risk that long of a trip. Too, run it by your doctor.

Keep yourself busy beforehand - cleaning, prepping freezer meals, organizing so you can get to things (without reaching, lifting or bending), making sure you have comfy clothes. Prepping freezer meals is the best therapy, in my not-so-humble opinion .
Best wishes for a successful surgery!

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Originally Posted by KareBear1980 Panties ladies.... What's been more comfortable? Granny or hip hugger? I've been hearing both.

This is really a personal choice, but you want to have something where the waist band does not rub your incision. I had a TAH BSO with a 6-inch vertical incision. I wore my normal french cut briefs, and the waist band was above the incision, which started just below my belly button.

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Originally Posted by KareBear1980 Also how much bleeding do I need to expect afterwards?

I was told to expect, and did have, 6 weeks of discharge post-op (ugh!). The first few days were more bloody - like spotting with my period. Then it was clear or yellow-waxy for the remainder. I used the ultra-thin maxis and changed twice a day.

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Originally Posted by KareBear1980 My post op directions say I'm going home with a catheter? Is this normal? It's freaking me out!

It is not unusual to go home with a catheter, depending on the type of surgery and what is being done. They will give you care instructions.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by KareBear1980 My sister and parents are driving down to help out the first week then I was going to go to my sisters the 2nd week. Is this doable you think? Road trip is 6 1/2 hrs. I won't be driving. So many?'s, sorry! Feeling alone right now! Thank goodness for extended family!

I am glad you are having people come and stay with you the first week. Doing a 6 1/2 hour road trip at the end of that first week may be a tall order. I would not have been up for something like that. Make sure the trip is okay with your doctor. If you do do this, make sure you bring a pillow and blanket for the trip.

Just know that you are never alone - not on this site! And not with your extended family.

I just kept using the same underwear I'd been using--Jockey Elance briefs. The first few days, I wore the lovely mesh underwear they sent me home with (I snagged two extra pairs, yay), in case of discharge, but after than my super soft regular underwear was fine.

Catheter, I don't know about.

2 weeks after, I am not sure i'd be up for a 6 1/2 hour car trip; at the least i would make sure I could lay down in the vehicle with pillows, honestly. Sitting for that length of time at that point in my recovery would not have "sat" well with me. And take lots of breaks, you want to be able to move around. This is also a question for your doctor, if they recommend that length of travel at that point in your recovery.