TAH stories please

My surgery is scheduled for 8/24 (keeping ovaries and hopefully cervix too).

Just wanting to get a better idea of the first week after, how surgery went, what kind of pain, when you were released to go home is a big question. Please share whatever you want and don't be afraid to give me the long version

Thanks!

Hi! Good luck to you and welcome.

Here is a link to many stories: http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/fo...p?s=&forumid=11

Short version for me is that I am glad I did it. It was rough at first but not unmanageble. You need help at first ( at least I did )
and you get better and better.

I am 5 weeks and feeling pretty good.

woodsie

I had TAH complete with tubes, ovaries & cervix being removed on my 49th birthday, April 13 of this year. I had a relatively uneventful surgery and recovery. Praise the Lord!
I had surgery on Tuesday am early and went home that Friday evening. Do as they tell you to do and you should do fine! I remember thinking the nurses were the most horrid people in the world when they made me get up and sit in the chair that evening but they do everything for a purpose. If you have a small travel pillow-I think you can get them at WalMart and they are called a travel pillow-it works real well to hold against your belly when you walk, deep breath or cough. You won't realize how much you use your abdominal muscles until you don't have them to use for a few weeks! Even now, making the bed pulls a little on the inside. Rest when you can rest, drink water and focus on how nice it will be to be rid of the "montly monstrosity!"
Watch your gas producing foods as gas pains are no fun. I can just now eat pizza in limited amounts...and it tastes wonderful!
I am not on any hormonal therapy and not bothered with hot flashes. I have an occassional night sweat but nothing that they are going to treat at this time. I feel so much better than before surgery and know it is going to get even better as time goes on.

I am 16 days post op and woodsie is right, be sure you have help at least the first week.

My stay in the castle was 2 nights (surgery tuesday - home Thursday around noon)

The waiting is about the worst part of the whole thing......I was a wreck but I am truly glad I had it done.

I have a lot of trouble putting my thoughts into words but here goes.
I don't remember anything until I woke up after lunch (op at 8.30am). I was never in a lot of pain(I have a high pain threshold) but I was in a lot of discomfort. I had wonderful nurses who tried to make me as comfortable as possible. The worst was when I first got out of bed, but hey there was no holding me back after that. I spent five days in the Castle.
When I got home I took it very easy. I listened to my body, drank plenty of water and made sure that I went for plenty of walks(around my home)
Please remember that everyone is different, we all have different repairs etc done and we all heal at different rates. So try not to compare yourself to others too much.
I am at 7 weeks and feeling great, just a bit scared about going back to work but hey that is another 2 weeks away.

I had my TAH/BSO on Monday morning-I came home Wednesday morning. Surgery was around 8am, I was inmy room around 11a.m and the nurses had me out of bed walking around 3p.m. I had a PCA pump for morphine until Tuesday morning, I also had a catheter. I felt so much better when they came out. I walked as much as I could in the hospital and kept pushing the fluids. I am home and taking percocet 1-2 time a day-tylenol seems to take care of most of the discomfort. I got my staples out today and have had 3 BM's today-yeah!!! I did have to do a bowel prep-only 1.5 ounces of Fleets. The nurses felt I'd not have a problem with my bowel movements because of this-and I have not. The gas has not been too bad-I just walk and it seems to pass. . . All in all I feel much better than I thought I would. My husband and16 yr old daughter are here to help me as needed. My pain is very managable with tylenol and percocet for nighttime. Hope this helps. . . Mary Jo

Surgery on Tuesday at 2:30 pm, in my room by 7:00. I had a TAH, repairs and a bladder suspension. I was pretty much out of it and in no real pain. The Dilaudid was stopped in the morning and I got up, took a shower (with help) and started walking the halls. I think walking has a huge impact on recovery. I was home on Friday morning. Drink lots of water, keep up the short walks and rest even when you don't feel the need. I am 10 days post op and it is easy to forget I ever had surgery. The slight swelly belly is the only reminder.... Take a positive attitude to the castle and it will follow you home!

I had surgery last Aug. 6th -- almost 1 year ago! . I had a TAH -- kept my ovaries but had my cervix removed. (I don't miss my cervix -- I know some women worry about that.) I went in on Wednesday morning and went home Friday night. My dr. told me I could wait and go home Saturday morning, but I knew I'd sleep better at home. (No one at home took my vitals every hour!) My surgery and recovery were both very uneventful -- no complications at all. But even in my situation, you still have to remember that you did have major surgery! You will be in pain, but it should be manageble. Even though I was in a fog that first day, I remember relying very heavily on my morphine button. I was clicking that darn thing constantly! Like the other replys said -- do as you're told by your dr. and the nurses. Cough when your told to, don't try and get out of bed until your told to, don't shower until your told to, etc., etc. I got queasy the first few times I got up and tried to sit in a chair. I remember the first night in the hospital being so frustrated with the catheder. I felt like the tube wasn't draining properly and kept feeling like I needed to pee. I kept reaching over the side of my bed and tried to move the tube around to see if it would drain better. I'm lucky I didn't pull it out of the bucket or something and make an awful mess!

After I got home, I was on pain pills for almost 2 weeks, then switched to tylenol. Make sure you have plenty of help the first week of your recovery and that your room is all ready for you before you get home. Have easy to eat and fix foods on hand. Keep anything you might need within arms reach. Get plenty of rest! You will eventually get very bored, but your body needs to heal!

Almost one year later, and I feel like a new woman. I exercise all the time, I've lost 30 lbs and kept it off and I have so much more energy! Also, sex has improved 100% -- no complaints there from me or my DH.

Good luck with everything!

Linda

If you visit Princesses Tell Their Stories you can read lots of surgery and recovery profiles already posted by many many members.

ps: please update your profile and add your surgery date so you will be on the calendar and we can be sure to send you special good wishes as your date approaches. It also makes it easier to reply to posts by being able to see if you’re pre or post op, and by how much. Thanks!

Hello
I had TAH/BSO The surgery started at 9:30 I was in my room by lunch time.. The minute I woke up I felt so much better than I had in years. The worse part for me was the gas afterwards ..but the nurses give you something for that as well as for any post op pain. I had a spinal and the pain meds in that last 24 hours . I reccomend spinals I have had both types (general and spinal at different times) for abdomonal surgery and with the spinal it is easier on your stomach. I could have gone home the following day but asked to stay an extra one, as that was the day I had arranged for my help to come in. As for how long you need help that is up to you but I would say at least the first full week. I only needed pain killers for two days after I got home then just took tylenol for some twinges.
I do not regret having this done ..not for a second.