Recovering at home.

I am very new to this site and I think it fabulous. I have sooo many questions though. First of all, I've noticed that most people stay in hosptial for 2-5 days. My surgery is DAY SURGERY. They send me home the same day. This makes me feel very uneay. I have 3 small children at home. They are staying with my Mom for 2 days and coming home after that? Will I able to care for them and how much pain will I be in after 2 days. I do have a very supportive husband but, he owns his own business and is not home very much. Will I need some one to help me while he's not there? I am so confused.

Thanks for listening,

Tracy

Hi Tracey!
You didn't mention what kind of hysterectomy you were having. I had a TVH and my surgery was at 10:45am and I was released at 8:30am the next day. I thought that this was odd but I have recovered nicley none the less. About you caring for your children, I had my MIL take care of my 2yr old son for the first 6days while my hubby was at work. I had my 4yr old son with me at home and was ok with that. I knew that I would not get the proper rest if I had my youngest at home with me. Ask for help with any small children you may have. The more you can rest the faster you will heal. As far as pain mine was minimal but do keep on top of it and not be too brave in thinking that you will skip a dose or something. Rest is most important and drink lots of fluids to help with your bowels. Keep checking this site for more info.
Best wishes to you
Andrea U
Alberta Canada
TVH Sept 21

Tracy,
What type of surgery are you having? I'm having a LAVH on Dec 6 for cysts and endo and my doctor asked me if I was okay with having it done outpatient, because we can get into the outpatient surgery center quicker than the hospital. He said he will do the surgery on Wed @ 9:00 a.m. and I will be able to go home on Thursday morning. I told him as long as I would be able to spend 1 night I would do it outpatient. I was uneasy with this until I read lots of post on this site from women who had LAVH and went home the next day. I've never read one that went home the same day.

Ask your doctor if it is an option to spend the night. It is considered outpatient as long as you leave the hospital within 23 hours of surgery. I had a lap in Jan for endo and was in so much pain when I woke up, at 5:00 p.m., there was no way I was riding home in Atlanta traffic. So I stayed the night and checked out the next morning. A hysterectomy is a lot worse than a lap - so I wouldn't even consider leaving the same day.

Check with your doctor and good luck to you.