vent

I will be having cystocele/rectocele surgery and sling surgery on Monday. I know I am not having heart surgery or any other serious surgery, but it is still surgery.

I am so tired of people saying it is just routine and simple surgery. I still will be put under and I still will have a recovery period and with 4 kids I am a little worried how the recovery period will go.

I hear you on that. Also have 4 kids and having similar repair w/TVH. I think some people say that it's just routine to either make you feel better or to make themselves feel better if they are nervous for you. Try not to let it bother you. I hope you breeze through surgery and that it all ends up great. Let me know how it goes (especially that retrocele repair!) (((hugs))
Tricia

Isn't it amazing how insensitive and ignorant some people can be??
I'll bet these people that are saying it's "just routine and simple surgery" have never had a hysterectomy!

It IS major surgery.
It IS general anaesthetic.
It IS permanent.
It IS a long recovery.

Have any of these people offered to help with your 4 kids and your recovery??
There's not a whole lot you can do about uninformed, inconsiderate people. EXCEPT you can come here and share, vent, talk, and anything else you need because WE ALL GET IT!!!

*hugs*

I don't care if you are having a hang nail removed... four kids in and of itself is a HUGE amount of work! Add to that surgery and sheesh!

Hopefully you have some people who will come through and help you out. Until then, lean on us for support!

I also have 4 kids and need similar surgery. Someone the other day told me they were back to work in 3 weeks, I thought "good for you". My DR says to plan being off for at least 6 weeks and I told her that and she repeated "I was back in 3 weeks." My only thought was did she really have the TVH part without the repair, but I saw no point in arguing, but it is frustrating.

Listen sister, if anyone dared to tell me my procedure was simple or routine following my colo-rectal surgery, I'd have dropped my pants and shown them the prize. There isn't anything simple about our procedures, routine perhaps to the medical team but not to us. Try pooping with sutures in, below and above the rectum -- that's what I'd like to have told them. But then I was a wee bit embarrassed about my whole predicament anyhow. I can't believe I was only off work 10 days after that. I refused to go into detail with my boss (why do I get so unlucky in this category) and so carried my donut pillow around with me at work. I'm not one to wish harm on anyone but someday maybe he'll have a 'roid the size of jupiter on his rectum and perhaps then he'll say -- gee, maybe I should have been more sympathetic! In the meantime, take it all with a grain of salt. We can't change their ignorance but we can help coach them if the timing is right!

Glad to hear I am not the only one feeling this way. I was starting to think I was a wienny. When ever I would say oh I don't think I will be able to do that a wk after my surgery I would hear... Oh sure you will be up and around in just a few days you just can't lift. My date has changed and when I asked the office about going to my kids christmas show which will be 3 or 4 days after my surgery she said I don't know you will be really soar. The drs have done enough of these to know that when they say 6 wks you need 6 wks. Who cares if somebody else did it in 3 wks you are not her. Take your time to heal and don't feel bad about it. I hope your family will help out with the kids. Good Luck

I dont think I could have said it any better InTune101! She is absolutely right.

My mother always says prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Indeed you are going to need help after your surgery... it may be for a week, a few weeks, it may be more. No one can tell you for sure before hand how your body is going to react, or heal. And it can't be rushed.

Most people who say ignorant things about surgery have never had any. I hope you can arrange enough support to get you through your recovery without too much stress. Remember, you need to take care of you first! If you do too much, or hurt yourself you won't be helping anyone.

Don't know how old those kids are, but most of the time they like feeling important. Assign them each jobs before hand and make them a part of the recovery. It usually works. Keep your chin up! You know you are at the right place to vent.

Tired -

I got to the point that I would roll my eyes when I read 'waiting is the worst part' (sorry guys but true).

I was nervous but wanted it over. I knew I needed it, thats what pushed me forward.

Honestly, the 1st 2 days post op was the worst. Getting out of bed the 1st time was really bad (but then it was never as bad as that first time). Getting out of bed was much easier on day 4. I had a BM on day 3, it was painful but not unbearable.

I guess I trying to provide what it sounds like you want. Real history in small honest amounts. Like you have probably read so much, Gas-X and Ducolax will be your intestinal friends. Stay ahead of your pain, its much easier than trying to get on top of it once it gets away from you. And my favorite tool was 4 extra foam core pillows, I found many uses for them.

That all being said, maybe it helps to say at 7 weeks, I have no regrets. I still get a little tired, but am for the most part, back to normal. The 1st week is honestly painful (at least it was for me). The next 2 weeks I was moody and so tired. The next 2 weeks I was a lot better but still was frustrated with fatigue. The time passes, the body heals and then we can happily get on with our lives.

Best wishes on your surgery,

Julie