Hospital stay with a TAH

How long is the hospital stay with a TAH, keeping the ovaries? Also, will I experience hot flashes even though i am keeping my ovaries? Thanks!!!!

I can only speak from my experience. I had my TAH on 2/8/07 and was home on 2/11/07. I kept my ovaries. I'm 42, no hot flashes. I don't think you get any signs of menopause when you keep your ovaries.

Wishing you the best.

Hello iowagal!

The norm for the hospital stay for the TAH is 3 days. I'm going to say that it depends on the doctor and the patient though. I was released the next day. But, I've also heard of longer stays due to complications or fever.

As far as the hot flashes, it is possible that you may experience some. This is a major surgery, and will be a shock to your system. It may take the ovaries a little bit to actually wake back up again. You can talk to your doc about it. I'm pretty sure that if the menopausal symptoms start really getting to you, the doc can either give you something or recommend something that will help to relieve the symptoms.

Try not to worry. It'll all be overwith before you know it. By this time next month you should have a decent start on your recovery.

s, Prayers, and Luck,
Char

I was kept in the hospital for two days after my TAH. I was thrilled to be discharged. I was in a semi-private room, in a surgical ward, and my second roommate drove me nuts the second night, and I had minimal sleeping along with a total pain in the neck roommate. I believe she thought that I was there to answer her questions every hour, and to FETCH stuff for her. Needless to say, I wanted out, to my own home bed, and to peace and quiet.

I kept both of my ovaries, but they were definitely asleep for the first few weeks. I experienced hot flashes, although for the first few I didn't realize what they were, I thought the heat was malfunctioning in the house, and was ready to call an electrician to look at my thermostats. LOL.... I was also really weepy for a few days. I called my doctor's office, and they told me that it could be a few months before my body regulated itself, and they gave me a list of symptoms to watch out for. By week three, I believe that I am back to normal, and my heat appears to be working fine in the house...

The post-op weeks go really quickly, and I found myself amazed at times related to how quickly I was recovering, and then frustrated at other times related to not being able to perform my normal tasks.

The good news is that the post-op time goes rather quickly, and I'm just wrapping up the fourth week, and I'm about 90% back to normal, with a minimal swelly belly!

Good luck!

What is this Swelly Belly I've been hearing about? Am I going to be able to fit into my jeans?

I had a TAH on 14th and was released on the 15th. I also had ovaries removed but dr. put me on HRT therapy immediately & so far haven't had any hot flashes. My swelly belly is quite nice & there's not a chance I could or would try to put jeans on. My wardrobe consists of long nightgowns and granny panties pulled up over my belly button. Just was able to shower on my own so feeling good but tired.

Your hospital stay depends on your insurance company and your doctor. I had my TAH on 2/7 and was allowed to leave the hospital by 4pm 2/9. Ask your doc what he plans and check with your insurance for what they allow.

Jeans? You'll fit your jeans again....eventually. I have put mine on and they fit, but I immediately took them off and opted for something soft and comfortable. I have swelly belly. Just keep your eye on the prize. After your trip to the castle you will have more freedom to move through life without the suprise visit from Auntie Flo. I hear you will have energy you have long forgotten...after your recovery time. Most of the princesses and queens have all agreed it has been the best decision of their life thus far.

Your hospital stay will be determined by your post-op course. Insurance companies can predict that in most cases you will likely be ready to go home after a 2 night stay for an abdominal hysterectomy, usually one day for lap assisted or vaginal. But you can be faster or slower then a text book case. The hospital will provide the insurance the additional information needed to extend your stay, if it is indicated.

I had my TAH (kept ovaries and cervix) on a Tuesday afternoon and was home before breakfast on Thursday morning.

As for hotflashes, I have been having them for about a decade now. After surgery I have just always been hot. I did have night sweats for about two weeks after surgery.

When I went in at day 8 to have the staples removed, my doctor said the night sweats would last about two weeks until my ovaries woke up from the surgery.