some confusion about what i'm doing

I scheduled a TAH yesterday because of endo for July 2nd. I walked out of the dr's office feeling good about my decision. I am 33 yrs old. Anyway, now i feel totally unprepared as to what to expect. I keep reading about pre-op appts but I wasn't told to make one. They drew blood yesterday.

They told me I would be in the hosp. 2 days-does that mean 2 nights or just one night?

I also keep reading about weight gain after surgery....

i've had 2 c-secs-is recovery similar to that?

My dh will be home for 5 days after surgery, should I get osmeone to stay with me after that?
vcille

Hi, good questions and I was first told overnight or 23 hours. Then I was told two days by the nurse who did my pre-op interview on June 29th. That was giving all the information to her, I typed up a three page document on the laptop of my allergies, side effects, and other surgery concerns. I think that is so important to do. I had one and a half pages that were current in front and highlighted each section. The appointment prior to that I had blood drawn for clotting concerns (bleed and bruise easily, very fragile here) but all those were good. As for your pre-op appointment, I was told several weeks ago and mine is June 9th (Monday) yuh !!! and the surgery is June 11th. I think they start counting from when you are admitted and to me, two days would be two days from the admittance, like that morning. When are you going in? I have to be there at 5:15 am for a 7:30 start surgery. That makes me so nervous too, I am the first one... JJS (Joan)

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Originally Posted by vcille I scheduled a TAH yesterday because of endo for July 2nd. I walked out of the dr's office feeling good about my decision. I am 33 yrs old. Anyway, now i feel totally unprepared as to what to expect. I keep reading about pre-op appts but I wasn't told to make one. They drew blood yesterday. They told me I would be in the hosp. 2 days-does that mean 2 nights or just one night? I also keep reading about weight gain after surgery.... i've had 2 c-secs-is recovery similar to that? My dh will be home for 5 days after surgery, should I get osmeone to stay with me after that? vcille

Vcille,

I don't know what happened at your appointment where you scheduled your TAH but it would not be unresonable to call and ask about whether you should schedule another appointment with the DR, or not, and if not, is there a way you can ask questions. You should have any questions you have answered before surgery.

Usually with a TAH it is two nights in the hospital.

Weight gain can be a function of whether you had your ovaries removed, how your body reacts to HRT, or not, and most importantly how much you eat and exercise. As someone who is 51 and has been in peri-menopause, bellie fat is a **** to loose. Our bodies change as we age.

There was a post a few months ago where c-section vs hysterectomy was a topic. (Sorry, don't know where to find it). The general consensus was that it varied by the woman writing in. Some found it harder, some found it the same and a some found it easier.

If possible someone should help you for a while, since you should take very seriously letting your body heal and don't do the things you shouldn't. If you are careful you will save yourself healing time and pain. Look at the HS post-op checkpoints and prepare.

Best wishes - Joanne

Welcome to HysterSisters! I hope we can answer some of yor questions and offer you some support!

My guess is that you are scheduled to be spending two nights. It is possible the appointment you just had was considered your pre op appointment but generally speaking most of us have a pre op appointment within days of our scheduled surgery. I think if it were me I would call and ask to schedule at least one more appointment with your doctor so you can discuss all of your questions and concerns. Taking in a list of all of your questions can be very helpful! It is my opinion that unless you are 100% sure you are doing the right thing and all of your questions are answered you should wait a bit to have this surgery, especially since a hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis.

Have you had a second opinion already? Have any of your doctors been an endometriosis specialist? Is your surgeon skilled with removing endometriosis from the body so you will have a lower chance of future recurrence? Will you be keeping your ovaries? If not, have you discussed HRT options with your doctor, if HRT is going to be allowed since you have an endometriosis diagnoses?

I have not had a c-section so I can only tell you that I have read that some women have found a TAH easier and some have not. In your case, part of how you feel afterward may depend on how and if all the endometriosis is removed. If a lot of work in done it can leave your insides a bit grouchy!

I hope you will be able to speak to your doctor about your questions and get some answers to help relieve your mind! We have a lot of information on the site including many Endometriosis Resources. Besides posting your pre op questions here on the Pre Op board, you are also welcome to post your endo related questions over on our Endometriosis Support forum. You will find women there who are both pre and post hyst and dealing with endometriosis issues.

I wish you all the best! s

I'm shceduled for 7:30 as well I have to be there at 5:30. It is about an hour and a half from where I live so we'll proably spend the night in a hotel.

I reread my stuff they gave me and it is on there that I need to call to make a pre-op appt. If I don't talk to the dr at this appt then I'll def. call to make an appt. to talk to him. He is very nice and told me repeatedly to not hesitate to call if I had any questions. I guess I should have been more prepared for that appt with my questions.

Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you signed a surgery consent form?

My doc requires a second visit with him, unless you get that signed first(previous appt.) He won't just let you sign it, you have to sit and talk about it. I saw him on Fri(6th), and signed the form. I have my blood work done on the 11th. Hopefully I will my pre-op done then too. I won't know until I call in on Monday. Then I have to have a pre-op physical done by my primary car doctor. That is on the 16th. My surgery is on the 30th.

It seems there are so many appointments.

I would call and verify that yoou don't need more. That way you are not surprised if they suddenly tell you, that you do.

I have a pre-op appointment 2 weeks out from surgery.

Im also very worried about weight gain. Iv had 2 c-sections as well and have recovered well from them. My last was September 07 so my babies are only 8 months old. Never a problem losing the weight but I can't help but wonder. Although Im having a LAVH. Hoping to keep my ovaries.

After reading above I was wondering if everyone having a hysterectomy has to go in first for a physical with their GP, as well as have a EKG?

Thanks

I am scheduled for Tues and I don't have to have an EKG nor do I have to have a physical with my GP. HTH

I had a regular appointment scheduled after the visit where I found out I had the prolapsed uterus and bladder. I had to go and be cleared for surgery with blood work, namely blood clotting tests as I bruise easily under the skin...not sure what that is but was told it is capilliary fragility...I also had to have an ekg and blood typing at the hospital.
JJS