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Lots of new lady-in-waiting questions
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10-19-2002, 03:26 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 68
Hysterectomy: November 11th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Lots of new lady-in-waiting questions
I'm still trying to sift through mountains of info before my 11/11 castle date, and have some questions that I haven't found the answers for, and they're in the "personal" category. Thought maybe some of you ladies could help me out. (IOf I knew how to put in one of those blushing smiley-faces here I would!)
1) When I had a colonoscopy earlier this year I had to drink what seemed like gallons of slimy stuff in order to completely empty out my bowels before surgery, and spent a whole day trapped in the bathroom. Do hysterectomies require the same thing and should I mark off a whole pre-surgery day for emptying?
2) My doc says she's going to try to do a "VH: - but may have to switch to an "AH" if it doesn't work (never given birth, uterous is in funky location). Do you see the doc when you wake up so you can ask questions about what was actually done?
3) Do you really end up passing gas like crazy regardless of who's around?
4) Do you have to have 'there' shaved? (I did this once years ago, and the ingrown hairs were awful and I itched for weeks!)
5) Is the catheter put in while you're still awake? This terrifys me, because I had one done in an ER earlier this year and it took them about 9 stabs at it before they gave up and got a smaller one, and I just about hit the ceiling. Major pain! And, I was on a Demoral IV at the time.
Thanks for helping out a new and scared lady-in-waiting. Maybe all these questions are covered in my HysterSisters book - but it and my crown haven't gotten here yet (maybe Monday!!!!), and I'm stressing myself out today on them and thought maybe you ladies could tell it like it is for me.
Emma
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10-19-2002, 03:47 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 7,604
Hysterectomy: August 23rd, 2001
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Lots of new lady-in-waiting questions
Hi Emma,
Please don't about your questions - we all have them, and I don't think there's anything that hasn't been asked, at one time or another, on HS. While you're waiting for your HS book to arrive, you can also use our search engine (click onto the word search at top) for research.
First - the smilies are in a box to the left, whenever you are typing a reply or a new post. Click where it says Get More, and an entire page will open up. The symbols to type are to the side of each smilie. The site limits us to 4 per post, to conserve bandwidth.
Bowel prep is something that you will need to ask your doctor about - each doctor and each hyst is different, and some ladies have to do a very thorough prep, while some have to do nothing. I had a TVH (vaginal) and had to take a fleet's enema the night before.
A VH would be a vaginal hyst, as opposed to an AH, abdominal hyst. You will know which was done because with an abdominal, there will be an external incision - with a vaginal, the stitches are all inside. The doctor will talk to whomever is there with you, and you probably won't see the doctor until the next day. You'll be pretty doped up for awhile.
Yes, unfortunately, you will pas gas, whether there's someone in the room with you or not - by then, however, believe it or not, you will be glad that you can, and remember - the nurses and doctors are used to it!!
I wasn't shaved, although I had been expecting it. That's something else you'll want to ask your doctor about, since it may vary with the doctor and the procedure.
I was sound asleep when they inserted my catheter, and I don't remember a thing about it. Be sure to mention your earlier experience to the anesthesiologist, and ask if he can be sure that you are asleep before they get started.
Thank you soooo much for ordering Through the Land of Hyster - you are helping to keep the site free for all and es.
(((hugs)))
Karen
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10-19-2002, 05:11 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 1,042
Hysterectomy: August 26th, 2002
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Lots of new lady-in-waiting questions
Hi Emma
I'm going to answer your questions as they pertained to me, but please keep in mind that every situation varies so this is not engraved in stone.
1. I had to administer two Fleet enemas the night before surgery and this was after a day of a clear liquid diet. I'd used the Fleets for a previous surgery and knew what to expect. They're not the worst things in the world.
2. I was also a VH with possible AH and woke up with an AH (never given birth, uterus too large). My doctor was not there when I came to but the nurses answered all my questions. As Karen said you probably won't see your doctor until the next day.
3. My gas did not come easy!! The pains were horrible despite taking the gas medicine provided by the hospital so it was a chore just trying to pass it
4. The nurse shaved me after I was out. I'd been shaved with a previous surgery and it itched like crazy growing back in but this time they did a much better job and I had no problem. Whatever happens for you, DO NOT shave yourself. If you even slightly nick yourself it could lead to an infection and/or your surgery cancelled.
5. My catheter was inserted after I was out. I never felt a thing, even when it was removed the next morning.
I hope this helps. Good luck
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10-19-2002, 06:10 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 3,168
Hysterectomy: August 20th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Lots of new lady-in-waiting questions
Hi Emma
I had an abdominal hyst and didn't have to do any bowel prep at all. I was fairly cleaned out anyway....nervous anticipation did that.
I was shaved before surgery by a lovely nurse. It was done with an electric razor (no nicks) and I had no problems with itchy regrowth...it was just a bit prickly when I felt it.
I was pretty lucky with the gas. Don't get me wrong I certainly had it but it wasn't too bad. You'll be pleased to get rid of it and won't care much whose around at the time.
I didn't have a catheter at all, although my Dr did catheterize me in the theatre after surgery. Got up to pee a few hours later with no problems.
As you can see from what the other ladies have said every doctor and every surgery is different. Good luck.
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10-19-2002, 06:31 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 36
Hysterectomy: October 3rd, 2002
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Procedures
AAh, even though it has been two weeks I CAN still remember these things!
I had a TAH/BSO, total abdominal hysterectomy with both ovaries removed. I did not have to do a cleansing, however I was a little light on the diet the day before. I had done a thorough cleansing one week prior for my IVP, part of my pre-op tests. I had to take phospho soda (yuck), dulcolax the day before and then a suppository the morning of. Amazing I didn't have to repeat this for surgery.
I was shaved partially with a clipper and it is a little uncomfortable growing back in, prickly I guess you would say.
My catheter was inserted after I was asleep so that was great!
MY IV, and stockings, both thigh high and pneumatic were placed before I was asleep. My gas pains were minimal. The laxatives in the hospital did the trick within 18 hours.
I knew what I was having before I went in so I didn't have any questions for the doc in recovery however he was there to see me as well as my anesthesiologist. You don't remember much of this day, believe me! All in all I feel good, have driven today for the first time and only a short distance. You will do fine and remember there are no silly questions! You deserve the best information available.....good luck and God bless you.
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10-20-2002, 07:13 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 6,053
Hysterectomy: February 5th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Lots of new lady-in-waiting questions
Hi Emma
Like everyone has already told you, everyone is different and their DR's have different ways of doing things!
1) Bowel prep: I had to do the fleet enema the night before. I also had to have a betadine douche.
2) I did see my DR a couple of hours after surgery. I remember her telling me she was the truck that hit me! Then the next morning she spent more time with me, telling me what she did and found.
3) Gas: I never had a problem with it, no pain from it and no passingof it, so before I could go home they gave me an enema just to make sure!
4) Shaving: I had a TAH, I was trimmed a little, after I was out, to just about the pubic bone.
5) Catheter: put in after I was out.
Hope this helps!
Best wishes!
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10-20-2002, 01:07 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 145
Hysterectomy: September 17th, 2002
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Lots of new lady-in-waiting questions
Hello. I had a LAVH with repairs just 4 weeks ago. I remember being extremely calm the day of surgery.The reason for this could be I was completely at ease with my surgeon. He had me do a Fleets enema the night before- worst about that was the position I had to be in to give it to myself- HA! It continued to work the morning of surgery and the calmness I felt that day didn't hit until I knew I had reached the surgical center without messing myself! The catheter was put in after I was asleep, no stockings, yes, I was shaved awake- the whole front- just leaving a beautiful Goatee. I was also told to expect a TAH if he couldn't remove all adhesions via lap- he was brilliant. He did come in when I awoke and told me "what a mess" and that my recovery would be longer than we anticipated. Said I was a trooper and doing much better than he thought I would and as soon as I got the catheter out and pee'd I could go home to recover. Whew- what a day- who remembers it anyhow?! LOL- best of luck sista
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