Tummy Tuck with Hysterectomy

Please, Sisters, help me out here. My M-n-L has scared me senseless about getting the TT. She was not supportive of me getting the hysterectomy already and when I told her that I was getting the TT with it, I got the longest, scariest lecture about how that is the most painful surgery you can ever have and that most good doctors talk their patients out of getting it. She explained to me that EVERY one she has talked to said they had so much pain and not to mention problems afterward. One of her best friend had a major artery cut and none of the doctors would take the blame. She said she didn't want me to go thinking these surgeries were gonna be easy. I assured her that I knew the risks and chances of problems occuring. And now I'm starting to freak. She even said not to listen to everyone who says to go for it because they don't know what they are talking about especially the doctors who talk as if it's no big deal that they do it all the time. I know the first few weeks are going to be hard especailly having to be bent over and sleeping mainly in a recliner. Girls, go ahead and tell me about the pain so that I can really be prepare.

Gee, she sounds like a real gem... Kemmy, my PS told me that the recovery for a TT is a piece of cake compared to the hyst. In fact, he had initially encouraged me to do the TT separately from the hyst (which I was not interested in doing) as the recovery time is only 2-3 weeks. Your MIL sounds like she has her own agenda to me.... You, as well as I, have read post after post form other sisters here who HAVE ALREADY HAD IT DONE and who say it was the best decision they ever made. I have not heard ONE negative responsive post on this topic from anyone who actually did it! Perhaps you should think about what's driving her, because it doesn't sound like its concern for you, especially as she wasn't even suportive of your need to have a hyst in the first place. Why on earth would you think she would support your plan to have a TT at the same time? Just my two cents , Kempa, but it makes me angry to hear how she's scaring you. Perhaps you should not discuss the matter with her again. Her kind of "help" we can all do without.
Amy

LOL! Just ignore her! I think your recovery depends on your outlook and how determined you are to feel better! I am having a mini TT one with my hyst, a day after you! And thats the only thing keeping me excited about it! But I will tell you this, I did not tell my MIL and my mom knows about it but last time I took her to the DR with me she kept asking him about it, so for my preop I told her my DH is going with me. LOL! I am going alone becaue this is my decision and not theirs. They think because I am skinny that I dont need it. But I have extra skin from pregnancy's and surgerys that exercise wont get rid off. Plus to be honest having the TT is what is keeping my positive outlook on the surgery. Listen there are pro's and con's to everything so just do what you think is best. We can be hyster sisters/tt sisters LOL!

Leekelhank and Kemmy41, we're hyster/tt sisters justa few days apart! I'm sure I'll be able to post that things are just fine for some extra reassurance before you both go to the castle! I have had both my pre-ops now (gyn and ps) and I feel good about the surgery. Don't get me wrong, i'm sure I will be plenty nervous just before, but I feel good about my decision to do both, and frankly the tt is the silver lining that I need to get thru this.
Amy

Kelly and Amy,
Thank you so much for your reassurance. Yes, we are the HS w/TT. And Amy, I'm gonna be on pin and needles waiting to hear from you after your surgery, spare no details. I tell you the truth, I don't think I could even go through with the hysterectomies if this website was not here. You're right, it is our decision and we have to live with it, not MIL. I guess I told her because I wanted her to be a part of my life, but realize now that she may be the one who will have a negative influence. I'm so angry that she ran so far to call my husband and fill his already limited understanding of what I may go through. I really came close to telling her off but I don't want to burn any bridges.

My aunt's both have the same conditions as me, it skipped my mom somehow, lucky women. Anyway one of them had a TAH/BSO when she was 21, she is 55 now. She scared the other one so bad about it that she waited to do it till last year, she is no 41. so my point is older women who had the surgery back in the day, seem to have had it be alot painful then it is now. So I guess that is prob where your MIL is coming from. Anyway, who cares about the pain, can you imagine fitting into jeans without a roll hanging over! Oh boy I can take any amount of pain for that! Please keep in touch, I want to know what to expect as far as drains ect. Oh my DR is letting me have an epidural for the first 24 hours, before they take it out I will be giving demerol/phenergan, so my pain should be pretty well managed.

Kemmy, Don't let MIL freak you out. I had TAH/TT/BR (breast reduction) on 01/23/08. It was the best thing I have done for myself. Of course you are going to be uncomfortable for a while. You will have had major surgery! But I didn't need any more pain meds for the TT than what was prescribed for the TAH. And I switched from percocet to motrin 800 on PO day 6. It's important to take your pain meds on schedule, to stay ahead of the pain. I was given clearance to fly from PA to WY at 3 1/2 weeks PO, and full clearance for everything, including ab work, at 8 weeks. I feel perfectly fine now! We went to HI a month ago and rode mules for 3 hours, no problem at all. You've done your research, which is the most important thing. Just take it easy after surgery, let DH pamper you, and you should have a great outcome!

Donna, Thanks for your info as always. I know we will all recover differently and as much as I have research, I expect things to go accordingly, not easy, but good. We gals just want reassurance from our experienced sisters how things went and that there were no regrets. I read up one lady who had one 4 years ago and is still doing good.

Kelly,
I think you got something there. I think the same way, about different generations had different experiences. My mother and I talked about it also. She has not had a hyster, but she too was not approving of my getting one until we talked and she finally understood. She was raised that you deal with the pain. She is fine with it now, but MIL is another story. You can tell her til you're blue in the face and she will not change her mind, but I'm ok with it. I had so much pain yesterday that I was crying hard for awhile until the pain med kicked in. I haven't hurt like that in whiles. I'm glad this is the LAST one. And yes, I look forward to wearing pants without bulging. AMEN.

Kemmy, I'm glad you find my story helpful. I think we always read about women who have had bad outcomes, and those like me, who are happy, keep quiet. That's why I thought I should chime in. Let me know if you have any questions.

I was talking to my MIL this morning, working out arrangements for the kids while I am in recovery. All the sudden she blurts," Dh told me that you were going to get some of the extra skin cut off, she says but you are already so skinny you really dont need that, I think that is just all in your head! she said it as nice and polite as the southern lady she is! LOL! I told her that I agreed that no one "saw" my problem but that the skin bothered me, and I wasnt doing it for anybody else. Then she said to my surprise, well I still dont know what that DR is going to cut off but if it makes you feel better then I guess this is the best time to do it'!"My DH is still in the dog house for telling her, but atleast she didnt keep dragging on and on about it. She thinks that unless you are overweight that you shouldnt get this stuff done. My DD was born at 32 weeks and weighted 8lbs she was 22 1/2 inc long. I weighed 123 lbs when I had her, so can you imagine how stretched out my stomach got? No matter what I do its not going to get rid of extra skin, I cant lose anymore weight because I am already in the low BMI. This is my only option to lose the skin. And I cant wait!