4 days post op and have questions

I had my LAVH on Tuesday. Feel very blessed that I have not had much pain (other than the first bm). According to the nurse, I used very little pain med in the hospital and have used two tylenol 3 since I got home. Other than being bruised and a little sore, I feel good. Because I feel so good, I feel like I am doing something wrong. I have been taking it easy, but I am already very bored around the house. I went to my nephew's football game today and the fresh air and sunshine felt so good. I wonder if I am setting myself up for a fall here. Should I continue to do what I feel up to or should I be doing more laying around the house? The hospital gave me the ususal discharge papers but they don't answer that question. Any advice?

Hi Marneysue,

It's great that you feel so good! And also great that you're not having much discomfort.

I can't speak for your doctor -- or ANY doctor -- I can only give you my opinion. But I think if I were you, I'd ask your doctor exactly what he/she thinks you can do, and what you should avoid.

Following my surgery, my doctor told me to take little walks around the house, even as soon as I got home. We have a two-story house, and he also said I could climb stairs. He said that although rest is VERY important, especially just after surgery, it's not good to just lie around all the time. He said being even a little active (as in taking the "little walks" he suggested) guards against things like blood clots developing in the legs. And exercise, even little bits of it, is good for overall health. He even said if I was sitting down, like watching TV, it was a good idea to move my legs some, to keep my circulation going.

He also told me not to lift heavy things, and not to drive for six weeks -- those two things were especially important. To this day, almost four months later, if I lift something fairly heavy, I'll feel the strain in my stomach first, since that part of my body is apparently my weakest.

I think you'll know when you've overdone it, but don't try to get to that state!

But to avoid any question, ask your doctor for a complete list of shoulds and shouldn'ts. You can get a lot of good advice here, but only your doctor knows you, and your body, and he/she knows best!

Lisa

Hello,

I also had a TVH on 8/25/04 and am almost 2 weeks post op. I felt way better the first week then I do now. I almost had no pain in the beginning and now I have mild pain. It probably has something to do with things waking up inside. I am just trying to take it easy also wondering if things might get worse.
Jessee

Hi! I also had my surgery (TVH) on Aug 31st and I feel great also. I almost feel lazy not doing much around the house to help (hubby wont let me though). I did have bad cramping with constipation until I was finally able to do that however! I worry that it's gonna hit me soon too, it all seems too good to be true....everyone keeps telling me to "sit down...you just had surgery" but I keep thinking to myself "I can't believe I have all this time booked off work...there is no way I'm going to need it!!"

I wish everyone else the same speedy recoveries that we are having!!

Kimmac73

Just a reminder...a hysterectomy, while a very routine operation, is still major surgery! Please don't overdo, and please ask your doctors for advice as to what you should and shouldn't do!

While you're feeling good and getting around well -- which is great! -- you're still healing inside. It will take months for you to be healed completely. I've heard that it can take up to a year to be completely healed. I don't want to sound like a party-pooper, but I would also hate to see someone overdo it and wind up hurting, or worse.

Besides, I've always been of the opinion that my doctor, essentially, works for me! He's there to answer my questions, and to lend me his expertise and knowledge. I try to make good use of it, too! So I never hestitate to ask him anything.

Please don't take any chances! We only have one recovery from this operation, and we all owe it to ourselves to make it a good one.

Lisa

Good for you, sister! My LAVH/BSO was 8/25 & I feel good too. I have a lot of pelvic floor pressure, but I still feel good. One of my friends arranged for us to have meals provided my first post-op week. I felt sooo guilty, because I really didn't feel I needed them. (My DH & DS did appreciate them though)
Like the other sisters mentioned, walking is good for us. My doctor said the most important restrictions are the vaginal rest rule and NO lifting. Walking around also helps the GI tract get back to normal. My DH keeps sending me back to "couchville" saying I've done enough for the day.

My mother told me to "Embrace the attention you receive." I am embracing it, but I feel I need to be honest too. I do think we are the lucky ones, because I know some women really have a horrible post op time. When I am uncomfortable, I think back and compare it to the pain I had with my terrible periods and I realize this is much easier than that!!! I am already in a better place

Also, a thought that keeps crossing my mind.... With all the terrible things happening in the world around us in this day and age - terrorism, pollution, etc., how lucky we are to live in a time & place with modern surgery, antibiotics, pain control, etc. I feel truly blessed that my monthly "suffering" will now be a thing of the past.
Life is Good!