Hysterectomy and pelvic reconstruction surgery coming up - Have questions

I have been told I need a Hysterectomy and that I have prolapsed pelvic organs the Dr. says that I will need pelvic reconstruction surgery to be done at the same time as hysterectomy can anyone tell me what to expect?how to get ready? My doctor is very matter of fact and I feel so unprepared and just plain scared.

Welcome to this wonderful site - there are lots of us who can help you with your concerns!!

There are many checkpoints and forums that will answer many of your questions. You can also ask specific ones as you will see there is no such thing as too much information!!

Is there any way you can take some of the good pre-op questions that you will find here and talk to your doctor - I found that most helpful -the more I understood the less worried I was about the unknown.

I hope we can help - take care,

Tracy

Hi and welcome! I'm glad you found us.

Do you know what sort of reconstruction your DR is planning to do; or, if there will be a second surgeon doing the reconstruction, what that surgeon is planning to do?

I had my surgery for a very severe prolapse. I had a TVH (total vaginal hysterectomy) with A&P repairs (anterior & posterior repairs). The anterior repair was done to strengthen the front wall of the vagina, where my bladder had prolapsed (cystocele). The posterior repair was done to strengthen the rear wall, where my rectum had prolapsed as well (rectocele). I had my ovaries and tubes removed at the same time (BSO).

My recovery was mostly the same as for any type of hysterectomy - six weeks, no lifting, no sex, generally take it easy. There were a couple of additional issues because of the repairs.

First, my bladder was very 'angry' at how much handling it got, plus the whole area surrounding the bladder and urethra was very badly swollen from all the work that was done, so it ended up that I could not urinate on my own when the catheter was removed the day after surgery. So, I had to go home with a Foley catheter for a week - not nearly as bad as it sounds. My DR had warned me that it was quite likely that that could happen with as much work as was being done vaginally.

Secondly, the stitches in my perineum from the posterior repair hurt a bit and itched as they healed, so it was uncomfortable to sit for very long, and painful to sit on a hard surface. I ended up using a donut pillow for a good 6-8 weeks everywhere I went; that helped a lot.

Please don't hesitate to ask your DR as many questions as you need to in order to feel comfortable about what is happening. DRs sometimes lose sight of the fact that, while they may have performed thousands of these surgeries, we are only going to have ONE - so it is completely unknown to us.

Here is a link to the list of Pre Op articles, some of which might be good reading in preparation for your next appointment with the DR:

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/articlelist_170.htm

I hope this helps. Good luck with your surgery!

s,
-Linda

Hi and thanks for the reply Im sorry I didnt get back with you sooner but I am not the best at computers and I am just learning how to navigate this site. I am having the anterior and posterior repair with a bladder lift and TVH. I am a so scared but I have to tell you that the ladies on this site have been so very helpfull with info and calming my nerves. I am so glad I found all of you! Thanks again

You sound like you are having the same repairs that I had on the 14th. I worried and I fretted and I had a terrible time before the surgery and I have to tell you I had a very easy time of it. I've had no pain and the only reason I know that I had surgery 17 days ago is that I get incredibly tired very suddenly if I am doing too much. It happened once in the middle of the grocery store and we had to leave immediately. It has happened here at home too and I just go and take a nap or sit in the lounge chair for awhile.

My advice is to ask all the questions you have and share your feelings good or bad and you'll fall in love with this site like most of us have.

Good luck.

Kay