Surgery 11-22, Questions..

I am having SAH w/possible BSO on Monday--YIPPEE!! I thought I had my bag packed appropriately but now after reading posts I have questions. My original bag had flannel pj's w/drawstring pants, my normal Jockey brand bikini undies (not thong or high rise) which are well above my c-section scar, slippers, toiletries and my loosest JEANS to wear home. Does everyone get swelly belly? And I kind of thought that something a little more supportive on the belly (like the jeans) would be more comfortable than something too loose. Maybe this is just up to each of us because my DH thought I should get a gown instead of pj's.

Now on to pre-op visit and here I have to tell you a little about me. Diabetes runs BIG TIME in my family and about 2 1/2 yrs ago my DS was diagnosed and I was a size 18-20 couch potato but this woke me up especially since I had gestational diabetes. I started swimming and walking and staying away from the scales. I could barely swim 2 laps in the beginning or walk 1/2 mile. Now I swim 1 mile (72 laps) 4 days a week, jog 3 miles 2 days a week and work at my church the one day I don't work out. I now wear a size 8-10 (lost about 55 lbs). I had an EA in May on a Monday and went for a 3 mile walk on Wednesday and continued walking everyday until I could swim at 2 weeks PO. I also had a c-section and we discussed my recovery from this. So my doctor knows I'm OCD about working out and is working with me on a different recovery than his "normal" patients and I want to know if this is really possible.

My surgery is at 7:30 a.m., he normally leaves a continuous pain drip for 12-24 hrs then change to pump; I will only have continuous drip until noon then change to pump; he normally doesn't let you eat until that evening or next day, I will have clear liquid lunch if not nauseated and a soft dinner and regular the next day; he normally doesn't have you get up until next day but if I want I can get up that afternoon; he normally doesn't let you drive for 2 weeks but if I feel up to it I can drive in 5 days; I can walk as much as I feel up to it but in the neighborhood not at the park I usually go to; we will talk about resuming swimming at 2 week PO visit (I'm keeping cervix therefore he says I will have a bacteria barrier). He also said we would talk about going back to work after 2-3 weeks because he would rather me sit at my desk than feel so good and be too bored at home I decide to paint the house. I only had 1 pain shot after my c-section and didn't need them after that, I was driving after 6 days but that was 20 years ago but I also wasn't OCD about working out.

So is is possible to really heal quickly? And most of the things he did tell me it was up to me or if I felt like it. I know there will be many things I won't feel like doing that DH or DS can handle like cleaning, vacuuming, laundry, grocery shopping, playing taxi; after all DH can finally find out I haven't been sitting around enjoying bonbons and soaps for the last 22 years

Thanks for letting me ramble, I'm less that 48 hours away and getting nervous!

Cindy

I have not had the surgery yet..but my Mother In Law had it a few years back. She was doing great after a week I guess..(or so she tells me!).

I wish you the best of luck on a speedy and great recovery!!!!!

shelly

for the hospital all you need to bring is you. You will be better off in the gown they give you. you don't want to wear jammies with bottoms. I don't think you will want to wear jeans when leaving the hospital. i would suggest something loose. They put you on a liquid diet during your stay. I had the pain pump for 24 hours. and was given a script of 60 perk's.
cant speak for everyone but i had and still have a swelly belly. I'am 4 weeks post op and i'm starting to get back to normal. When i have my 6 week follow up, i will then be released to go back to work.
remember, this surgery is not a c-section. As for any house cleaning, i wouldn't be doing anything at 2 weeks. You only get one recovery, so you need to take it easy and rest. you don't want to overdo anything. we look forward to hearing from you on the post op side after your surgery.
good luck to you and look forwarded to hearing from you.

I planned to wear a loose pair of jeans home too, but the surgery was changed mid-operation and I ended up having to have a catheter in for ten days. I had to call my DH and ask him to bring some sweatpants in. I didn't have any so he brought a huge pair of his. I am so glad! They had tons of room, and it's not like I cared if anyone saw me after all those drugs.

Even with the catheter out the sweatpants still feel the comfiest. I put my jeans on the other day and they fit OK, but after a while they start to make me uncomfortable.

I wouldn't try to wear jeans, loose is definitely better. I would also ditch the bikini underwear for larger size (at least 1 size) granny panties. I wear high cuts normally, and the sides line up perfectly with the ends of my incision.

I have fibro and used work out on an almost daily basis. I can understand about being OCD about the exercising. At five weeks, I'm still only walking. I would hold off on the jogging for awhile though because of the internal stitches.

I too thought that I would be able to do more since I exercised all the time, and it has helped tremendously, but I did take a day longer to get out of the hospital due to nausea from the anasthesia (which I've never had before) delaying me being able to keep even water down.

Love the plans, but don't get too attached to the schedule. My rheum is following the gyn's directions on what and when I get to exercise for now.

The last hours before surgery is quite an anxious time. I was so jumpy. It's over now and was so much easier than I expected.

I wore my own loose fitting lounge/jammy pants the day after surgery. The gown kept getting twisted and was uncomfortable. I wore the littte mesh undies they have you wear in the hospital and loose sweats home. (I took the extra mesh undies home, they were hideous but so comfortable) My tummy looks about 4-5mo pregnant, (I'm petite) so I still haven't even attempted to put jeans on. I don't think it would be too comfortable on the incision.

I'm recovering (or rather feeling very good) far faster than I had thought I would. My doc said that inspite of how good I feel, I must rest, rest, rest. It takes a full 6-8 weeks to fully recover internally. It is hard to sit around when you feel good, but well worth it.

Good luck to you!

I am at 6 weeks and zipped my pants 2 days ago, and kept them on all day! The pressure wasn't to fun.
I am a very active person, and I walked from the 2nd day on! I did feel a bit tired in the afternoon.
Every person is different, but I really feel that hysterecotmy has some bad press!
Take your water bottle and keep hydrated. I am sure you'll come out great! The waiting is the hardest part.