Joining the site just curious...

What can i expect? I am scheduled for surgery the 29th. I know about the procedure and I know I can expect to be in the hospital 2 to 3 days. I'd just like to know what will the pain be like? I keep having nightmares about the pain. That whole thing scares me more than anything.


thanks,
Krista

Hi Krista,
Welcome! Gee you'll probably get as many different answers about the pain as there are women. I also had a LAVH, with accompaning bladder sling and anterior repairs due to uterine prolapse. Here's what I thought going into surgery: I had two kids, one c-section, one vaginal. I "thought" a vaginal hyst would be like having a vaginal delivery. Less than two days after my vaginal delivery I was out planting bulbs in the garden. How to compare it to a c-section? I don't think I can. My c-section was for a premature delivery and I spent all my time and energy worrying about my son, and nothing about me. What I've read is that basically a child (and placenta) are supposed to come out. A hyst removes things that aren't meant to come out. (Except my uterus had other thoughts and wanted to see the outside world.)

I can say I hurt, I was weak, but I have a chronic pain condition that hurts more than the hyst did. Follow your dr.'s post op instructions. Ask before surgery just so you don't have any surprises. Basically vacuuming, mopping floors, pushing a shopping cart, lifting anything heavier than 5-10 pounds, etc. are strictly off-limits for the first 6 weeks or so. I really didn't hurt much at all, except I knew I had surgery when I coughed, laughed, cried, sneezed, etc. Even being startled would "hurt".

Good luck!

Hi Krista,
I too was worried about the pain, but all in all, it was NOT half as bad as I thought it would be. I'm over 2 months now since surgery and still have a little overhang which is a bit numb still, but this part takes time, no pain....I was able to return to work after taking 3 weeks off, I had a TAH/BSO, so I expected to be off longer, but I was doing well enough to go back to work..

I had my TAH/BSO 5 weeks ago. The first few days were the very worst part of it, during the time you are in the hospital. Of course, that might have just been my experience, since I had horrible nurses that would only bring pain relief when my DH physically drug them into the room...but that's a whole other story.

Stay on your prescribed pain meds for as long as you need during recovery and take time off. It's time to take it easy for the first few weeks...and I'm sure you deserve it anyway.

I was back to work part-time on desk duty at 4 weeks post-op and will go back full-time this coming Monday. I haven't been on pain meds for at least 2 weeks, I'm taking it easy and pain wise are having no problems.

Good luck to you!

Hello, to a fellow Ohio sister. I'm 5 weeks post-op from LAVH. The pain is temporary. It's not going to come on a schedule every month for years to come. I was in the castle overnight, in Monday morning, out Tuesday evening.

It's hard to rate the pain, because everyone is different. The day of surgery I was on the pain scale from 7 to 11. I know 10 is suppose to be the highest. The next day it was 3 to 4, so that's more than tolerable. Before surgery an average month would have approx 25 days over 6 pain level. I may have had a few moments of 6 pain, but they have been rare and far between. I take two Motrin every two or three days due to discomfort and that's it right now.

Hi Krista
Welcome to Hystersisters!

There are so many resources on this site - not only the other women, but articles that have been prepared from previous posts.....

Be sure to check out the PreOp Hints and Articles (click here) PostOp Articles (click here) and Princess Stories (click here) for information and answers to help you get ready for surgery and what to expect after surgery. There is also an awesome resource link directory you can get to by clicking here or click Resources at the top of each page.

Also please be sure to read the info New Here? which can also be accessed from the top of every screen, for information to help you get the most out of this site.

With regards to the pain, I have to say that I was really lucky-- I was on IV painkillers for about 24 hours after surgery and after that nothing stronger than Tylenol extra strength - and even then not very muc of that. I don't think I have a high level of pain tolerance - I would compare the pain I felt to strong menstrual cramps.

EXCEPT ---- a couple of times when turning over, I sort of "pulled" on the left side and THAT hurt - but not for very long.
(there is a great article in the Post-Op section on getting in and out of bed and sitting up - I found it very useful.

best wishes!

Thank you ladies for your response. I know I have found a place that will give me the support I need. Let's face it no matter how much our husbands/SO try it's not always enough.

Thank you once again.
Krista