Differences after surgery with TAH vs. VH

Thank you all for this wonderful website. It is so helpful -- I find myself reading and re-reading articles every day.

I am scheduled to have a vaginal hysterectomy (keeping ovaries) and will have a local (spinal) anesthetic instead of a general on May 10th. Perhaps it is wishful thinking, but, is the recovery period a little shorter and/or different when you have the surgery vaginally rather than through the abdomen?

I am booked to fly (2 hr. flight) 17 days after surgery. I do not plan on lifting my luggage but hope to be able to visit my daughter and sister in L.A. -- be a passenger in a car for up to two hours and go to restaurants. Am I being realistic?

Last, I really want to be able to carry my cat (about 12 pounds) as soon as I can.

I am soooooo frightened of all of this. I have endured 10 years of very painful fibroids because I did not want surgery (surgery is only necessary to stop pain). I'm praying for the courage to go through this.

Thank you for your help.

Travelcat

I had LAVH and from what I understand the recovery is typically easier, not neccessarily shorter. You will still have internal stitches, therefore you will still have soreness and restrictions. I know in my case, I am 5 weeks post-op and still have the no lifting sweeping, mopping, vacuuming restrictions. As far as being able to travel, I'd check with my Dr first. I know I personnaly would have been very uncomfortable flying on a plane the close to post-op, as well as riding in a car for that long. I went to eat ate a local restaurant 1 1/2 weeks post-op for lunch and was completely wiped out! At 5 weeks I still get tired when I do to much in one day. It frustrates me because I'm an active person and have 5 kids to keep up with. I'm not trying to discourage you, but you will still have had major surgery, even though there is no abdominal incision. Of course, you may be one of those lucky ladies on here that feels wonderful after your surgery, which I definitely hope is the case. If it were me, I'd wait and see how I felt aftersurgery and take it one day at a time. Good Luck!

I just had my 2 week post op today and was told that I can drive but to move alot (rather than just sit like on an airplane flight or in a car for hours).... the fear is developing blood clots because of not moving. I was told to be moving apout 10 minutes of each hour.

Discuss travelling with your Doc.

I think it just depends on the person. I had a TAH and my room mate at the hospital had a TVH. She was in terrible pain and had complications and I felt very guilty about how well I was doing. When the nurses would ask her pain was always a 9 or 10 and mine was always 1 or 2. I expected it to be the other way around though I sure the complications were what made the difference. My theory is to prepare for the worst and hope and pray for the best and most of all have a positive attitude.

As far as traveling goes I got the OK from my DR today to travel this weekend, only 2 weeks post-op. Talk to your DR now and see what they think about your plans so you can be prepared.

mostuff

Travelcat,

Always remember-flying without getting up to walk every hour or so- can increase your risk for blood clots-with or without surgery.

Walk, Walk, Walk-as soon and as often as possible after abdominal surgery-will greatly decrease your risk of throwing a blood clot.

Insist on pressure stockings with foot "boots" prior to surgery. They should put them on you prior to going to the OR.

Best wishes with all Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!!!

Sweet Pea in SC