Home 24 hours now w/questions

Hi,

Well I've been home just over 24 hours and struggling emotionally. Have others found their emotions (still have ovaries and tubes - TAH) all over the map? I'm finding that I'm kicking myself for not getting in better shape before surgery (had 6 weeks) to make things easier. Thankfully I've had a couple of good support people around.

Also been struggling with a severe burning sensation on either side of my horizontal incision. they told be at the castle that was normal but man, does it sting!!!

I guess I'm still needing reassurance that all will heal well and life will settle back to normal.

It is completely normal to feel after your hysterectomy. Like your bowels, everything is put to sleep. This includes your ovaries. It make take your ovaries a while to "wake" up and start providing your hormones. My dr. told me this because I was very scared when I had my TAH. I only have one ovary and it is taking it some time to work properly.

Things do get better with time!! Just remember to give yourself time to heal! I had the hardest time not doing things.Especially when your house isn't as clean as you would clean it!!

hmmm had my tah 3 weeks ago and the worst part of the pain was the burning sensation on either side of my incision. It actually felt like really bad razor burn (ouch)... It lasted about a week and was gone by time my dr took out the staples 10 days post op! Just be careful and let your family pamper you.

Take care of yourself, be pampered, don't overdo it. the first week home espically you should do nothing. Be careful in the shower, my spouse had to assist me a lot in that area.

Listen to all this great advice and don't be so hard on yourself. Of course you're going to heal and it will be at your own pace.

My body took 12 days before everything woke up again and now the only issue I have is a pulling sensation in my pelvic area if I sit in a regular chair or stand too long. I make sure to be horizontal and resting each day by 6pm. So far, so good.

I feel so much the same as you do. Same burning sensations too. I am driving myself nuts over everything. I also have diarhea that I was upset I couldn't get stopped and now that its stopped I am scared its stopped. Its so ridiculous and unlike me. I am not handling stress too well.

I am trying to take everyone's advice and just take the next couple weeks to heal. You should do the same. I hope you feel better soon and I hope I feel better soon too.

I hadn't thought about my whole body, including my ovaries being put to sleep for surgery. That makes sense!

The razor burn feeling is a great description. Did discover tonight for myself, that part of it was skin against skin (I'm a "fluffy" Princess. Now just need to find out from the doc what I can use that close to the insicsion to help. Of course I'm probably up a lot more than I should be today since it was my first full day home. So tomorrow I rest more...and give thanks for the support I get from my "sisters".

I'm fluffy, too. I've been told that putting a maxi pad over the incision helps to keep it dry - and won't burn as much.

I haven't found a pad that'll stay stuck to that part of my undies yet. Anyone know of any brands that are good at sticking to undies by the incision (for fluffy women)?

Ladies...please don't use maxi pads on incisions. Air cannot get through and you will create a breeding ground for bacteria.

Buy some 4x4 or 3x3 gauze pads (sterile) from the drug store or Target/Walmart. Fold one in half and tuck the folded part against your incision leaving the other ends to stick out past your belly.

This acts as a wick to draw out the moisture where your skin folds are keeping the incision all covered up.

Our incisions need air to heal. If yours has gotten "goopey" or "smells weird", see your doctor to make sure you don't need an antibiotic.

Ask about cleaning the incision 2 or 3 times daily with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water (mixed in a bowl).

Always make sure your incision is completely dry before covering yourself up with underwear.

I let my incision air dry ...lying flat on my bed holding the skin folds apart. Then I use a folded 3x3 gauze pad and tuck it in between my belly overhang and my pubic bone.

Make sure to change it once it feels a little damp.

If i'm indoors, I raise up my shirt and pull my underwear below my incision. (That's how it is when I sit here to post). It gives more air time to my incision.

Maxi pads do not allow air in. Please be careful.