No longer having LAVH. Having TAH. Not prepared.

I went for my pre-op appointment today and was told that they are no longer going to do a LAVH, but a TAH. I was not prepared for that. All of my research has been on VH and now I'm not sure what to expect. My doctor told me that I will take longer to heal and that I will have more pain. Is that true? I need my sister's to tell me what to really expect. (the reason for the change is because when I had my last lap, my uterus was stuck to the abdominal wall and they are afraid if it's stuck again. it will be to hard to get it out vaginally.)
Also when I went today, I did request to not be put on the maternity floor. It turns out that is where they were going to put me. Nothing against new mom's, but with as emotional as I am right now just seeing a pregnant woman, seeing their joy after my surgery is not something that I want to experience. Dr. said that he will see what he can do. If there is no other place for me, I requested that I be put as far away from everyone else as possible. They put gyno related patients on the same floor.
Just a few more days to go. I'm anxious, sacred, and relived that it is finally coming to an end and that I have a new beginning just around the corner. Without this site and the support of all of these amazing women, I would be lost.
Thanks for listening.

Hi Tina,

I just posted that I had my TAH/BSO yesterday and was able to come home today!!
I am so thrilled that it all went well and i did all that worrying for nothing.
Just wanted to post to let you know that It really is not all that bad. They will give you heavy drugs to keep you comfy during the first few days, I am still on them right now. i am only taking them once every 6-8 hrs.
I really don't think the recovery is going to be quite as bad as I expected either. I am being super careful and I do have a wonderful hubby and daughter here to help plus family if needed. I just have to constantly remind myself that I have to do as little as possible and I am sure all will go well. I already feel so much better! I know I am far from being completely through this whole thing but if it is all this easy as it has been so far then i can ONLY give the glory to GOD! I TRULY believe all the prayers from family, friends, church members and of course all of the hyster sisters is what made all go so well.
I do agree about you being put in the maternity ward really does stink. I wish they wouldn't do that as I was right next door to the maternity ward and I did not get any sleep. Not just because of the babies screaming all night but it sure did add to me not getting any sleep.

Just hang in there and it will be all over soon enough and you will in the end be grateful for going through all of this.

It is great to be on the other side of it now and you will be there soon yourself.

Praying for ya!
Take Care and don't worry so much,
Lisa

I can't belive you had you TAH yesterday!! Are you a fitness trainer or something?? My told me I'd be in the castle for 2-4 days!!

KUDO's to you Lisa!! You are my newest hero!!

Hi Tina,

I had my TAH in January. I only spent 2 days in the hospital. Yes there is recovery time afterwards...but I know now I should have done it 7 years ago. Just adjusting the estrogen right now. This is nothing compared to what I delt with in the last 10 years. Good luck. Don't worry it will be over with so soon and you will be feeling like I do.

Katie

Hi Tina. I had a Tah/Bso at the end of March this year. There was pain but it seemed manageable to me. They give you pain medications as much as you want! I had a morphine pump for the first 1 and 1/2 days. Abdominals hurt and was difficult to get out of bed the first couple of times. Once off the morphine (was glad! made me sick (pretty normal)) they gave me darvocet which worked pretty good for the pain. Everyone's level of tolerance is different though. I was in the hosptial for 3 and 1/2 days. Was able to take a shower after 2 days! That was great. Wasn't ready to run a race but was able to get around okay. Walked like an old lady and very slow but kept moving. After coming home, pain wasn't too bad. Just got very tired and laying down was the most comfortable positon. Sitting upright was hard for long periods of time. Pain meds weren't really needed (atleast for me) after the first few days at home. I switched to ibuprofen after a while as I don't like taking narcotics myself. I really didn't need much after the first week. Laying down and resting was the best thing. I got to start driving after 3 weeks and then I went shopping. It sounds like a good idea; just don't plan on being gone for a long time and don't walk too far!! You tire out very fast. I hope this helps you! I know how scary it is to wait for this surgery; I even cried when they wheeled me in! I have not regretted having it done. I had a very large fibroid tumor that pushed my uterus up to below my ribs and displaced many organs. Things are working very nicely now. I had ovaries removed and had asked for the estrogen (climara) patch to be put on after surgery. Hot flash the next day and the crying jags started. They lasted a week! Hopefully that won't happen for you. Just know that things can be so much better in a relatively short time (compared to the misery suffered before hand!). I never had children and never regretted that decision and not now either. No periods is the best part!!!!!!!!!!! No more pain! Good luck to you! I hope the surgery goes well for you and that you recover very fast! Just don't rush recovery! Take it easy and rest, rest, rest!!!! God bless you and know that all the ladies here wish you well! I hope I've helped you!

The good news is that your anesthesia choice can be now be changed to an epidural or spinal with sedation rather than general which is the only choice offered with an LAVH. Think about this since with general anesthesia there are more side effects and risks. Several ladies on here have had spinals or epidurals and agree it's the way to go.

You are all so wonderful ! Thank you very much. I am feeling much better with the decision to go abdominally. I KNOW it will all be okay!

Lisa~You are an amazing woman to come home today and be able to think clearly enough to post. I hope all goes well for you. Please rest and don't over do it. I can only hope my recorvery is as smooth as yours. Good luck!

Hi Tina! I was going to congratulate you on having the options of a spinal or epidural, but I see CM3 beat me to the punch.

I had a TAH with a pretty quick recovery, and not a lot of pain. In fact, I found the TAH incision to be **less** painful than the lap holes from a surgery 6 weeks before my hyst. I felt better afterward, too. It did take me longer to get over the hyst, of course, but it's a handy side effect of the incision that it cuts through the nerves there - so you won't feel it nearly as badly as you'd think. After about 2 weeks the nerves start to heal (tingling, a little burning), and eventually you won't be numb.

Don't stress over it - you'll be fine.

Hi Tina

I was just like you , I just assumed I would be having a TVH. When I found out it was going to be a TAH I was shocked.I am finally okay with it since I have done tons of research again.

Take Care