gas and other issues

Hi Everyone,
I don't know if i should post this on the pre or post-op board. I'm pre-op (5/8/03) and I've been getting alot of great info from this site. BUT, I've been reading all the stuff about the gas pains and bladder trouble that I'm more scared of these things than the surgery. My dh and I have been married for 18 yrs. and I still have bathroom phobias...I have to have my privacy. Will the gas pass like normal gas? I will be so embarrassed if this happens even with the nurses. Will the catheter be kept in long? Will I be awake when they take it out. I know that this may seem silly with all the other things to worry about, this is such a huge thing for me to have to get my mind ready for. I need to know what to expect even when I come home...should I lock dh out of the house lol? Will all of these things pass (no pun intended) before I leave the castle?
Thank You so much for all your words of wisdom and positive attitude.
Susie

Hi Susie,

You certainly the only person who worries about these things, so don't think you're weird or strange. You should be able to have an experience that is very acceptable to you.

Yes, gas will pass like normal gas. The nurses will be listening for bowel noises and you will report to them about passing gas. It's not like you're going to stink up the whole room or anything!

The catheter will probably not be in long - maybe overnight - just long enough so that you are able to get up and use the bathroom with some degree of 'comfort'. I use that term advisedly, as comfort on getting up is probably not going to happen right away. Yes, you will be awake when they take it out and it doesn't hurt. Not at ALL. At least it didn't for me - ever. It just slips right out and takes no time at all. Seconds.

You may be passing gas at home, but it's not unlike any other time you get a bit gassy. Again, at least it wasn't for me. It's something that you can handle fine. No big surprises.

Now go worry about someething else, OK?

It's hard to not be embarrassed, but if it happens in front of the nurses don't worry-they will be rejoicing and charting it!

Without a doubt, the question that I was asked most during my stay at the hospital was, "Did you pass any gas yet?" Everybody asked me, the doctors, the nurses, even the cleaning lady! My answer was always "no". Oh, I was so frustrated. I kept thinking that this meant something was wrong. (And of course, if the lack of gas passing continued, it would have been an indicator, I suppose, of some sort of blockage.)

Luckily, though, the day after I returned home from the hospital, the blessed event occurred. If felt as though I was really going to "let loose" if you know what I mean. In reality, the tiny little air bubble that popped out was laughable!!! After that first little gas bubble passed, everything was rosy and been progressing just as it should. Can't tell you how grateful I was when it all happened. I then swore that I would never look askance at any other individual I may come in contact with who would pass gas in my direction. I now consider it a major blessing! LOL :-)

As to your other concern about the catheter, this was my first experience with the catheter and I totally agree with Joselle. It was a major convenience and did not hurt a bit.

God bless!

As someone who has had gas on a real rare occasion and lives with a husband who makes such musical gas sounds all the time that he could play a tune, I understand your issues.

Let me tell you, you will not be embarrssed as you will be so thankful for the pain relief from passing that first gas. Let go of your inhibitions and let it out ! View it as part of the hysterectomy/surgery process and just one of the things that will show you are progressing normally. I also had a new found appreciation of what my husband goes through.

All bowel prep for this surgery is different but I was on liquids for 2 days and a clean-out prep the night before so my bowels were totally empty. Then, they were moved around by the surgery. So, they are very grumpy. I had more pain from the gas than the surgery because, like you, I am not use to passing gas but, let me tell you, I learned how to do it to get relief.

My husband was about to fall on the floor in the hospital as I was trying to get that gas out and when it came and made a lot of noise, he laughed more and clapped for me ! He called it my rose petals ! I think he was just amazed that those sounds came out of me. I took it well as I have certainly given him a very hard time over the years about his gas. I was even asking him for advice !

I still have some bowel/gas issues if I eat too much fiber and I have leanred to just let it go when I am at home - no need to suffer. I really make my husbands day if I make noise. He told me it is like he feels I am normal.

Be sure to take a Gas-x or other anit-gas and a stool softner for at least a month. I still have to take them when I am going to eat too much fiber or different food. But, I really don't mind as this is so much less a problem than what I use to endure.

Good luck to you..... Let it go..... Janie

For me, the gas pain was a pushing feeling and nothing was coming out. All this pain and you pass a little bubble that a newborn could outdo. The gas pain hit me 11 days post for 5 days, the worst being 3 days worth. This was the only pain I really had the entire 6 weeks including the surgery, so wasn't that bad for me in the entire picture of recovery. Walking, even if doubled over, was the only thing that worked for me because it got the gas moving even if it didn't pass.

My catheter came out when I was awake and I felt a sensation, not painful, just hard to explain what if felt like.

It's good to be informed before your surgery about what could happen, but the things I worried about never happened and the things I never heard of are what I experienced. I actually passed out from severe dehydration 10 days post and I was drinking all day long. For some reason my body needed more liquid than a race horse probably drinks. Everyone's recovery is so different try not to worry about things until they actually happen to you. Less stress that way. Just be prepared that they can happen and know how to handle it. I've only had gas pain, swelly belly, some bleeding and discharge and that's about all my post op complications and really that's pretty minor. The dehydration I've never seen posted here so it must have been just my personal complication. I rested like I was supposed to and didn't push activity too fast and had no problems. I had a TAH, kept the ovaries by the way and am 36. Good luck with yours

You will be fine!
I had surgery on 4-24-03 bikini cut (kept ovaries)
the gas was a little bit hard for me too. I could feel it but it took a while. the nurses will give you something for it. and they are very happy when you do cause that means your body is doing what it is spose to do. Me and my room mate cheared for each other it was funny.
Just remember to drink a lot of water (which I hate) and walk a little every day. you might run a small fever at night so remember to drink and walk while you are at the hospital, and use the little breathing thingy they give you. ( this will keep your lungs in good shape) I stayed 3 days 2 days recomended and 1 extra, and I am glad I did! When you get home sleep a lot and lay around and watch movies. my friend bought me a small crosstitch to work on and it has helped me when I just want to listen to music. The nurse took out. The catheter came out very easy no pain!
You will be just fine.