Laproscopic TAH

I have been told I need to have a TAH, but my MD said that mine can be done with a laproscope.......is there anyone out there that has had this procedure and can give me some insight into how the recovery might differ from the routine TAH with the bikini cut. Thank you, Sisters.

Hi Marily,

I am just bumping this up so it doesn't get lost. I don't have an answer for you. Myself had a TAH in which I am cut hip bone to hip bone. I would call the Dr and ask him to explain the procedure to you. Good luck

I had TLH. I had less abdominal incision pain than most and it's easier to get out of bed in the early days. I still went up the stairs sideways when I got home, just in case. The gas can be worse because they inflate the abdomen with gas to do the surgery. But it dissipates in a few days for most women. You have to be VERY diligent about walking the first few days, especially in the castle, to make sure the gas doesn't get organized into one spot and cause pain.

The ligaments on the insides that are stitched are just the same, though, so I still had to lie around a lot just like the other ladies. Sitting is still WORK for your tummy and I mostly lay around reading easy books or watching TV. Didn't feel like doing any "projects" like scrapbooking. Didn't have the urge to clean house, which is good because you're not supposed to. I went back to work 1/2 time at 3 1/2 weeks, but I wouldn't do that again. That's really early. I felt okay working at 4 1/2 weeks, though I lay down and stayed down when I got home each evening. Listen to your own body. I wouldn't tell too many people you're having a laparoscopic procedure. They might expect miracles. My friends and co-workers were very supportive, but you never know.

I hope this helps. The theme is, "pamper the princess!" And "the dust bunnies are my special recovery friends and I would never ever hurt them."

Hi MarilysC,

What you're talking about is an LAVH - Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy, or a TLH - Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy, like DeniseB had. Check with your doctor to be sure of which one you're talking about.

I had a TAH (Total Abdominal Hysterectomy), but 6 weeks before that I had a laparoscopic tubal. I found the laparoscopy to be *more* painful than the abdominal incision - very hard to get out of bed, up/down from chairs, etc. Just generally more ouchy. I also couldn't wear jeans for at least 4 weeks because they put pressure right there where the belly-button incision is. Even at 7-8 months out, the scar is still obvious (no bikinis this year!). I'm hoping it will fade. No such troubles with the abdominal incision.

Also, if you've thought of having a spinal or epidural, you can't have them with laparoscopic procedures - for that (like with my tubal) you need to have a general. Just another thing to consider.

"Your mileage may vary" of course, but just based on my experiences I'd rather have the TAH.

I had a LAVH and the recovery period was short and sweet. I needed absolutely no pain meds post-op. I was tired of the nurses insisting I take something, but I held my ground. The most discomfort I felt was from the gas used to inflate the abdomen and from the catheter. A LAVH can leave your belly a little puffy for a while, but within a week I was comfortably back in my jeans. With the teeniest incisions I didn't have the discomfort associated with stitch absorbtion or removal. Of course, there isn't a large scar which may bother some women. I had the LAVH because the doc said he would be able to get everything. But if a TAH was needed, I wouldn't fight it as long as I was going to feel better afterward. I can only speak for myself, but I was able to function as a full time mom, cook, laundress, chauffer, etc. within a weeks time. I rested during the day if needed and let my body dictate what I was going to accomplish that day. I wish you the best.

Let me mention that the above is a *very* unusual recovery time. It's not WRONG if your doctor allows you to do things and you feel fine the whole time, but it's UNUSUAL. I am supposed to be a very tough cookie and there is no way I would have been doing laundry at one week. I FELT good, but my doctor would have had a fit. I took my pain shots in the hospital and was glad to have them, but I did switch to Tylenol when I got home.

I did feel every good the first week to week and a half and even walked a mile or two a day (SLOWLY), but then I lost all my steam and was glad to lie down quite a lot and dream the days away. DO NOT RUSH YOUR RECOVERY. Pay attention to the part about listening to your body and realize that it may wait until tomorrow to tell you that you did too much today.

I didn't feel like wearing anything snug because of the swelly belly, so I wore stretch leggings all through recovery.

I wish you luck with your decision!