Surgery Scheduled

Hi everyone,

My TAH/BSO has been scheduled for April 19th. Since my pre-op appointment, I'm not as frightened as I was. Something reassuring to me, I have had surgery at the same hospital three times prior to this one, so I know what will happen before surgery. I know I will not remember being in the operating room.
I also know that my doctor is excellent. So what am I afraid of.
Fear of what I don't know after major surgery. My doctor has also informed me that I can chose an epidural in addition to the general anesthesia so I won't wake up in a lot of pain. He told me his patients do much better as compared with other pain relief drips.
I was prepared when I met with my doctor, thanks to your questions. I didn't embarrass myself by asking stupid questions,
I just said that I was very uninformed about hysterectomy procedures and wanted more information. He replied by reassuring me my questions weren't stupid. His manner was so calm, that everything he told me was reassuring.
I also know I'm not alone in this and look forward to your replies.

I'm glad it went so well! Knowledge is power...the more we know, the less we need to fear.

I'm sure you'll think of lots more questions, so keep posting and we'll all be here to help you.

Good job talking to the doctor!!

Karen

HI Gigi .... I just wanted to say that I had a spinal INSTEAD of general anist. From what I have heard from others who have had a hyst. having the spinal does ease the pain longer than general anist. Also that having a spinal instead of general is an easier anist. recovery. I feared throwing up (I heard that happens to people with general anist.) and when I found out that having a spinal instead of general would most likely assure no throwing up upon waking I opted for it. Plus the fact that I was scared to be put under (a whole other story ). I did not want to throw up with a fresh stomach incision! OUCH! Good luck to you. For answers to your questions about what to expect from major surgery read some posts on the post op boards ... there are answers there to every question one could have concerning this surgery after it is over.

Just wanted to let you know I had a general for the op and epidural for after pain relief. The epidural was put in just prior to going into OR, then it was left in for 48 hours after. Just before they removed the epidural, the nurse topped it up, so I was well into day 3 with no pain. It was just the greatest. For me, if I was ever to have major surgery again, I would insist on the epidural for after pain relief.

Regards and best wishes for your operation and recovery.

Gail