1 week post hyster

Hi
Had a TAH on may 9th. My uteris, both ovaries and falopian tubes.
Just before surgery, my doc was discussing possibly keeping my ovaries. But when he opened me up my ovaries were enlarged and with my history of massive cysts didn't want to take the chance so he removed them. He also said my Uteris was Enlarged and Boggey (which we knew from the Lap I had over a month ago) but he also said that my Uteris looked like it went through 2 or 3 c-sections...I never had a c-section. Both of my pregnancies were natural. I guess my uteris was a mess. He said I also had adhesions. He told my hubby I was pretty much a mess.
Thank god it is over. This recoop is not fun. I am walking as much as possible. Sometimes I do over due it, and I start realy hurting. I should relize I am not a super woman.
The gas pain can feel like my insides are gonna explode !! Alos, when moving my bowels, sometimes I feel like I am giving birth.
Tomorow, I see the doc to have the stapels taken out.

So, when do you feel like a normal human being again??
I am ver anxiois. I hate sitting around at home and doing nothing, but I know I have to recoop.

Hello djb65,

I'm only a few days ahead of you, post-op recovery I mean.

I'm sorry your ovaries needed to go! I hope being free of ovarian cysts will help you feel better.

Are you drinking enough? For me, drinking something warm in the morning 'helps things move along'; coffee, tea, or broth all work well for me. I've just begun weaning myself off the narcotic pain relievers, but I do use them before attempting a bowel movement. You might want to call your doctor's office to ask about a stool softener. I used one up until two nights ago and have had no straining or pain since my first bm.

I've avoided anything that is carbonated, that hasn't completely eliminated gas pains, but I've minimal problems with them....so far...

I'm trying very hard not to think about feeling normal. I have noticed that I do feel a bit better each day. My DH has suggested that he should have taken this week off to hold me down....so, I'm trying hard to distract my self by watching movies, reading the boards here, and reading for as long as I can concentrate.

Best wishes to you, and hope to see you around some more!

Hi
Yes I do drink coffee in the morning. That does help. I also am staying away from carbinated drinks too.

I saw in your reply that you also quit smoking...ME TOO. I had my last cig the night before my TAH. When I was in the hospital it didn't seem to bother me. I guess with help of the morphine pump for the pain helped the craving for the ciggerettes...Now that I am feeling somewhat better, the craving for my ciggs are developing.

Hang in there !!!!!

I noticed something similar with my nicotine cravings....I didn't have any while I was in the hospital or the first few days home. The cravings have returned...so I've started using my nicotine gum again. I did notice that I'm using less gum now than I did before surgery....I quit on March 4th so I guess I'd weaned myself a bit.

Maybe we can hang in there together.

I'm hoping to be healthy and a *babe* within the next 6 months.....although the swelly belly thing may be a bit challenging to becoming a *babe* again..lol

Hi --

I can really identify with the gas pains -- they are awful. The doctor (and some sisters on this site) recommended peppermint tea. It sounded gross but it really works! I have a cup after meals and before dinner. I also take over-the-counter anti-gas pills and stay away from carbonated drinks (wine is great since it has no bubbles:-).

The gas is better once my bowels started working again (for that I take stool softeners and Citracel). Sounds like a lot of pills but you already know that the gas pains can be worse than pain from the surgery.

Hope you feel better soon. It's been a week for me and I'm making progress.

Hugs,
Travelcat

I too had everything removed on the 10th.First 24 hrs.were not good,but once up and moving I never stopped.I am a big time bathroom user...so,after the cath was removed,I was up and down up and down.I drank TONS of water,as I was so thirsty from not getting anything but ice chips.Just kept walking and drinking.I am driving now,as I went to the doctor yesterday and had my staples removed.I credit magnet therapy.Had a magnet on my incision area the whole time in the hospital.Doctor can't believe how well I did.I just have to remember that I am full of internal stiches still and do require a lot more healing time.The gas and pooping thing really can make you feel "not normal".I KNOW once that is better,you will feel super......water ,walk and maybe something more to "Move" ya....(I've been eating raisen bran every night)........Anyway good luck to you and before you know it we will be Christmas shopping and this will be long past.

I had my TAH on May 2 for a pre-op diagnosis of fibroids. They took the uterus, cervix and appendix. They found a very small amount of previously undiagnosed endo on one of my ovaries and burned it off and I retained my ovaries. One of my post-op diagnoses was also adhesive disease (as the result of 3 prior c sections).

I have no clue when you can expect to feel *normal* again. I sure don't yet, but have had the added issue of two seromas on my incision which require daily tending by a home health care nurse and weekly follow up appointments with my surgeon. It sure is a long road, isn't it?

As for the BM and gas issues.....after a few days my gas pains dissapated greatly....I attribute it to taking several small walks a day. When I did have problems with gas, I found hot peppermint tea and/or Gas-X to be quite helpful. As far as BMs, I have not had pain when trying to move my bowels, just a little discomfort...supporting my stomach in the area of the incision with my hands while on the potty seems to help. My doc gave me a prescription for a stool softner calld Doc-Q-Lace that I take twice a day. Every morning for breakfast I have a bowl of frosted mini-wheats to make sure I am getting my fiber. I drink lots of water and have several cups of coffee everyday. A couple of times I have used glycerin laxative suppositories when all these other measures did not work.

Hang in there, someday soon we will all be feeling much better (I hope). I know that last week I was consistently miserable, and this week I feel better. I drove for the first time yesterday and today actually strolled around Wal-mart a bit and bought myself an adorable pair of white denim capri pants for spring/summer....it will be wonderful (when the swelly belly finally goes away) to be able to wear white pants without worrying about Aunt Flo ruining them!

HI Ladies, I am a 3wk sister and I am here to tell you that it does get better. it takes longer than we would like it to but it does get better I meen I feel better this week than I did the week before. I still have a little bit of pain issues from my TAH/LSO but it gets less and less. just take care of yourselves you are all so early in recovery. and you can't do all the things you would like to do that has been the hardest part for me.take care and good luck with recovery, Cathy

HI!

I don't know when we will feel "normal" normal - but from this past Sunday to just today I feel 100% better - crossing my fingers that I haven't spoken too soon!

Good luck, we'll get there and it'll be on of those "remember when's"!

I am 2 weeks post-op today and still am having problems in the "poop" area. I take a stool softner (2 pills) daily, eat tons of fruit and drink alot and walk and I am still having major problems. I do not want to take laxatives becuase of the cramping that they cause.I have strained so much that i see and increase in discharged that was a light yellow and now is a light pink. I have managed to get henrrhoids as well. I do not have gas pains anymore thanks goodness. I have purchased so many things to make me go, I am going to be broke. As if not working isn't bad enough!!!! My hiney is so sore!!!! I know you are not supposed to strain, but for me it has been an impossibility. I thought for sure this part would be over by now!!!

And as far as you gals that have quit smoking, I did as well. Today is day 18 for me. I am using the "fresh mint" nicorette gum. I have tried patches and the regular nicorette gum, but that tasted horrible. The fresh mint is not so bad. Good luck to you all.