I'm "fluffy" and nervous about my hysterectomy!

I'm wondering how many "fluffy" sisters are out there. I need to have a hysterectomy - I have very large fibroids (13 cm, 7 cm, and several others). My annual appointment is on Halloween and I will discuss a date with the gyn at that appt. Because of the size and placement (on top of my uterus), the doctor has recommended an abdominal rather than laproscopic. I'm scared to death - I'm overweight, and am wondering how I'm going to be able to get up and down with a big abdominal incision. I'm fortunate that I don't have much discomfort with the fibroids - I guess because they are most outside my uterus. My tummy is swollen and hard. I know I'll feel better AFTER the surgery, but I'm a wreck now! Is there anything I can do to prepare myself, besides lose weight? Abdominal exercises? I'll appreciate hearing from anyone!

Hi, I'm a FLUFFY sister too....lol!!! I weighed 235 lbs at the time of surgery and I'm 5'2". Overweight people are at higher risk for complications but there are lots of overweight people that come through surgery just fine. I had a TAH and a tummy tuck with my hysterectomy. I had lots of excess skin that formed a skin fold/flap after my c sections, so the doctor cut out lots of fat and then did a tummy tuck. Normally with abdominal surgeries in the uterine region, they have to cut through the rectus muscles to get down to where they need to be..which during your recovery you will realize that you had muscles you didn't know about!!!! You'll need to retrain yourself. More doctors now though are tightening back those muscles before they close up and if in that case, it's awesome. With my tummy tuck, he tightened them up and I remember when I tried to roll to my side a few hours after surgery, I actually did it!! After my c sections, I needed a nurse to help me and prop me up on pillows because I didn't have the strength. Anyway, as of today, I am at 220 (3 weeks later) and have gone down an entire dress size!!!!
The best advice I can give you is start trying to eat right now (that was the hardest for me..I love comfort food) and maybe go for some walks just to get your endurance up..which will also increase your oxygen level and will help postop! Also, after surgery, as soon as you are able, I suggest getting up and rocking in the chair and going for walks in the hallway....each time you get up and the more you do it, the easier it is and will make you feel better quicker.

I hope I helped some. :-)