Totally shocked!

I had a TAH on Novemeber 19th, exactly one week ago, and I realized that I was in no way prepared for the reaction my body had. I had my gall bladder removed several years ago and I had a bilateral nipple biopsy for some cysts and bleeding from my breasts and I suppose I was expecting a surgery somewhat like those. I have been homebound or hospitalized for the last four months with extreme periods, large fibroids and pain and when the doctor removed my uterus it was three times it's normal size and had several large fibroids. I had been having an almost non-stop period for four months. I had to put off the surgery for a couple of months to get my blood levels built back up. I had lost such vast amounts of blood that I almost required blood tranfusions and the doctor wanted to give my blood iron levels time to build up. I have been taking 1000 mg of iron a day for three months and I was getting monthly injections of deprovera (sp?) to try to stop the bleeding, to no avail. At any rate, I was told by my doctor that I had to have the surgery and I do belive that it was necessary, but the DR did not in any way prepare me for the aftermath. He explained it as 'no big deal' and it would be a snap. I have never experienced that level of pain and I had a horrible time getting my bowels and bladder to work again. I am finding that I am totally numb in the genital area and that scares the bejesus out of me. I had no idea that numbness was a risk. I am finding I am very emotional about the fact that I was so unprepared. I know now I should have done the research and possible prepared myself but I was going on the 'no big deal' theory. I now know better. You need to get in depth information on anything you are going to have done. Knowledge is power. Thanks for letting me vent.

Deelyte

(((Deelyte))))

I am truly sorry that you were not prepared for the recovery process. I cant believe that your doc said that!
The emotional part comes whether you were prepared or not, so don't worry about that, just about all of us had it.
There is nothing that I can do to make you feel better, but I felt I had to send some hugs your way.
Take care, get plenty of naps and rest and drink plenty of water.

Good luck!

hi Deelyte,

It is amazing what a little knowledge can do for one. I had my surgery done in Oct. and actually got more info from the interent than I got from my Dr. I just had my 6 week check up and believe it or not, to my Dr. the surgery was no big deal and offered no anwwers to any of my questions so back it is I go to the net. Well, to me the whole thing was a big deal, this is my body, parts are being removed and it effects us all in a different way. Physically it was hard to adjust, the pain got to me at times, the tiredness sucked the life out of me but truthfully it is the emotional aspect I have the hardest time dealing with. It is a whole new world I have to learn to live in. I had been living with pain and bleeding for over 5 years, now that has changed and I am not sure how to do it. This site, girl, you will find the best support system God ever created! This is the best place to be. Any question, any concern, ask, share, seek and yee will find the answers. They have been a sincere godsend to me! Rest, enjoy your time at home and come here any time you need anything.
Take care,,, icspots

Deelyte,
I know just how you feel... I'm a month post (LAVH) and I still have some numbness below my belly button. It's slowly coming back to normal. I still go through the swelling on occasion and am having some painfull BM's (and I know why so I keep a journal as to what my body is doing so I can tell him at my next check up which is 6 months after surgery). My doctor didn't tell me much either and I also had to resort to the internet. I'm feeling great except for the few little things and I don't regret the surgery. I just think that doctors don't really realize what we go through and each one of us is different. Hang in there.

Hugs....

im so sorry tho hear your news.
i hope the numbness goes away.

is the numbness because of the removal of the uteris and cervicx.
or is it muscular, from the incission.

does anyone know.

has anyone ever had numbness from a TVH.

i am very worried as my jan date creeps forward for my TVH and cystocel ect repare.

my DR too has told me its simple and i will be like new after.
infact he tried to talk me into just an epidural.

theres no way im staying awake for that.
glad you posted. this is the only way im finding out poossible side affects.

do you ladies have anyother things you might be able to tell me, about side affects - my DR has not told me of one.
IS there sexual dysfunction at all, for example.
i am truley ignorent..

dieing to know everything i can.

thankyou so much. my heart is with you.

I've had 2 C's and a TAH and there will always be numbness around the scar. (the same scar for all three) I've not heard of genetal numbness. Please call your doctor- that is what he is there for.

Sending you and a your way.

I had a TVH and enterocele repair leaving both ovaries on Nov 11th. I have not experienced numbness anywhere. I feel like I've done great with nothing I would even call pain until yesterday morning. Just dull achiness that was easily managed with darvocet and that is even backed off to nights only because, for me, it's hard to get comfortable at night. I take Ibuprofen during the day and that's been fine.

Just be careful with feeling so good. I have felt so good that I must have done something I shouldn't have except I have not yet figured out what. I moved a box about three feet that weighed more than our allotted 10 pounds, but I felt no pain or pulling from that. I woke up with new bleeding and sharp pains fleeting through my abdomen on Thanksgiving morning. Having had no pain before and with the bleeding present about like a very light period, it was scary. Of course with the holiday, there was no one in to call so I called a nurse friend and he sent back to square one with precautions until my scheduled appt on Monday with further instruction that if this doesn't stop or if Ibuprofen doesn't keep the pain in tow, to go to the ER immediately. They said the discharge would increase again at about 2 weeks and there may be some pulling sensation because the stitches dissolve and your body starts to take over on its own. This was 2 weeks to the minute!! that I awoke to all of this.

The moral of the story...listen to your body and even when it's telling you it feels good, remember that this is major surgery. My friend reminded me that even though there I have no external stitches, there are plenty internally and I may have just pulled something loose that shouldn't have been pulled. Take it easy. It's VERY frustrating to have pain when you have had none and even more frustrating to go back to square one when you feel like the road to recovery is so smooth!! I was looking forward to the appt on Monday to be released to more activity, but now I dread the thought that I could have done something to send me back in for more repairs. As many say here, we only have one chance for a good recovery. Be careful, Princesses...from a princess who wonders what she could have done to prevent this if anything.

Aha! Someone else who had lots of "surprises" with this surgery. I only had a few days on this site prior to the surgery, nothing from doc or others. I am thankful I was as prepared as I was! I just today filled out the survey they send from the hospital and in very nice terms I let them know I felt I was sent home without proper instructions on what to expect, and how to eat, how to get in and out of bed.......I have found SO much info on this site. Whoever started it should get an EMMY!!!!

Hugs..hang in there...Mary Anne

I appreciate all of the suggestions and support. I am finding myself angry at the lack of information I was given prior to the surgery and after. I do know that my surgery was necessary and I really had no option but to get it. I have been reading a lot about it in the last few days and I have discovered that some women are numb in the genital area temporarily and some never recover the feeling. This is very traumatic to me as I assume it will have a huge effect on the sex life and I feel I should have been told of possible side effects of a hysterectomy. I do not know if the numbness is because they removed my cervix and uterus, or from the incision. I am hoping it is temporary. I would still have had to have the surgery but at least I would have known what to expect in regards to after the surgery. Thanks to this site, I have already found a ton of info that has helped regarding getting around and getting through this. I am a little worried about going back to work. I work a very physical job at a warehouse and I move and stack boxes. I can't even imagine that I will be ready to go back to it by December 31st, which is when I am going to be released. I would appreciate any suggestions on getting myself into shape for the transition back to work? Thanks again.

Deelyte

If your job is as physical as you describe your doctor may not release you at 6 weeks. He may extend your recovery or release you with limitations, such as lifting a maximum amount or working a limited nember of hours.

I've reached 5 weeks and I can't imagine that a week from now all the pain will be gone. I still cannot do any bending or lifting without causing pain.