Questions for those who had LSH

Hi ladies,

I had my pre-op appointment yesterday. Having surgery on the 23rd of Sept. Having a LSH, with just removal of my uterus.

Anyone else have a LSH?? How was recovery?? My dr says I can drive in a week.

I'll be glad to get this over with, just hoping it gets rid of my pain/cramping. And no more Aunt Flow! Just finishing my last period and it was an easy one compared to my normal ones.

I have lots of fibroids, all on the small side, I have heavy bleeding and cramps and pain for a week. I'm 47. I'm also concerned that this might throw me into menopause.


Thanks for listening,
Lynn

if you keep your ovaries you shouldnt go in to menopause so, you are in the clear there.

I am having a LAVH the day after you Taking one ovary out... Oh the joys

Hi Lynn,

I had an LSH almost three weeks ago now. Recovery was a breeze!

I discussed recovery, restrictions, etc with my doctor at length before having my surgery. I had wanted to have it done earlier in the summer when I had less on my schedule. When I couldn't schedule when I wanted, I seriously thought of postponing it until next spring/summer. I was supposed to start coaching gymnastics (part-time job once a week) on September 8, and my hockey season (I play in a recreational league) would be starting with practices in early September.

When my doctor heard my concerns about timing, he called me himself to work something out, said he could re-arrange his schedule a bit to get me in less than a week later, and told me to think about it. My pre-op was scheduled Aug 26 (I had to double-book an appt with him), and I still questioned how quick recovery was going to be.

The day of my surgery, I still wasn't sure if I was going to have the LSH. I agreed to laparoscopy to look for endometriosis or other causes of my pain. If nothing was found, he had the okay to do a LSH and/or remove one ovary. I woke up a couple hours later, surprised to hear a nurse tell me I had a hysterectomy, because I was in NO pain.

Recovery activities:
The day after surgery (Friday) I was taking the dog for a walk. Saturday I went to a barbeque at my parents' place. Sunday was a short shopping outing. Monday I was back at my parents to play with their new 8-week-old puppy. I let my husband do the driving since he was home through Labor Day. Tuesday I felt good enough to do some work from home on the computer and calling into a few phone meetings. Wednesday I drove for the first time, as I had a follow-up eye exam after Lasik.

By Thursday (one week after surgery) I was back at my office job, although I didn't work quite an 8-hour day. As "promised", I made it to my first day back coaching 11 days after surgery, with limitations on lifting. On day 12 I was skating at my team's first practice of the season--I took it a bit easier than usual, but I still couldn't believe I was on the ice!

I do notice that I tire a bit easier. I have to remind myself that my body is still healing from some major trauma, even though I feel pretty good.

I know that not everybody's experience is the same. My doctor said my surgery was pretty easy--I'm fairly thin, in good physical shape, had a small uterus, etc. That made my recovery easier. But I think part of it is your mindset, too, and I always kept a positive attitued.

I hope that answers some of your question. Feel free to ask more if you want...mine came up so quick that I hardly had the chance to think about it, but I know it's always nice to get some info from somebody who's "been there, done that".

Take care,
Anita
LSH 28 August 2008

Thank you!! Your post helped alot. I'm also slim and in good physical shape. I just can't wait to be on the other side. It's the waiting!!

Thanks again,
Lynn

My only concern was I had done some reading where the surgery can cause tramua to the ovaries and cause you to go into Menapause. My mother went through meanopause at 43. My DR is not concerned that I'll have any problems.
Thanks,
Lynn

i had an lsh almost two years ago. the recovery was very easy. the only pain i had was from the lap gas..it was my first lap surgery and i found that part to be quite painful. i stayed inpatient for 48 hours but after that..it was a breeze. i was walking miles every day within a few days of surgery, driving, working and taking care of the kids/house. i was cleared at two weeks and started running again. i am also thin and in excellent physical shape and i think that helps a lot.
i did have hot flashes and night sweats for about two weeks but once my ovaries started working again, all was fine. two years later they are working perfectly.
i hope you have as easy of a recovery as i did...good luck

I would have to echo what's been said here so far. My LSH was three weeks ago yesterday. I asked that my catheter be removed before I woke up (it was) so I had to get up out of bed whenever I had to go. I showered and dried/styled my hair before I left the hospital. I spent a few days on the couch, baybsat a one-year-old the day after I got home, canned 10 pints of salsa on Saturday, drove people to places they needed to get to on Friday, went back to my (VERY) part time job one week after the surgery and have been back to my regular schedule ever since. I get tired at the end of the day, and if I'm REALLY active I can feel a little twing-ey in the evening --not enough to say "hurt", but a slight bit of discomfort handled easily by motrin.

Yes, the lap-gas pain was the worst part. If you can find something that will stay warm without electricity (Like those things you can buy to keep your hands warm in your pockets) bring it to the hospital. Heat helps. The nurses also said that the more flat I could lay, the better. I'm not sure if that was true... at the time it hurt to breathe and I wasn't paying much attention to whether or not I was sitting, lying down or standing on my head. BUT IT DIDN'T LAST LONG. So don't be scared.

SOMETIMES, the trauma of this kind of surgery will make your ovaries go to sleep for a while afterwards, but this is nearly always temporary --and unusual, so don't worry about menopause either.


As these things (hysterectomies) go, LSH is an easier recovery because there is so much less tissue trauma. If you can stand it, watch a few LSH videos on youtube. It was good for me to see exactly what would be happening on the inside so if I had a question or if I felt something, I knew where to start. Truthfully, it put my mind at ease and gave me a sense of control because I knew what was going to happen.


Good luck and don't be afraid to ask any question you can think of. The sisters here are very wise.
I'll be looking for you!

Be blessed,
Beseda

I had my Robotic assisted LASH for large uterine fibroids on Sept 9th and am doing fantastic! I have fought a hysterectomy for 8 years and finally gave in after having a UFE last summer that failed because mine were submucosal fibroids. I very highly recommend Dr. Brisbois in Spokane, WA. I went home the same evening. If I could have handled the pain pills better it would have been a breeze. But Oxycodone gave me horrible headaches.
I will return to my 11 hour workdays on Sept 18th. One hour drives each way with a 9 hour schedule. I could probably have done it today but I want to return on top of my game and not take any chances. I am excited to return. I can't believe I said that...I've been so tired and in so much pain for so many years.
Advice:
1.Sign up for and read your emails (or have someone read them to you) from HysterSisters as you progress.
2. Do NOT overextend yourself. Just chill out and watch all of those movies you always wanted to watch and read books.
3. If you can, get fresh air...from your own patio or window. Do NOT do what others THINK you can do.
4. If it hurts...don't do it. Don't pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk, less if possible.
5. Take your pain meds on time no matter what.
6. Prepare your body for the constipation by starting the fiber and stool softeners days before the surgery. Keep your water intake going!!!

My back pain that I've suffered with for 20+ years is gone. I do not feel the weight and pressure in my pelvis. I think this is how it's supposed to be. I can't wait to start doing all of those things that I quit doing, ie snow-skiing, walking for longer than 20 minutes without back pain, and sex without fear of pain, and so many more fun things.

I had to wait until I was in the right frame of mind for this surgery. I had to want it. Then it became a good thing for me. I am quite a stubborn and inquisitive person so I researched all of the different possibilities and doctors until I found one that I felt thought the way I thought and I trusted his reviews and methods.

Overall...take the best care of yourself. This is the time to think of YOU first! If you aren't back to 100%...you can't take care of anybody else.

Everyone is different. So we can only give you info based on our own experiences.

I had LSH. It was EASY! I was in surgery for less than 1 hour. I went down the hall at 8:55 AM and woke up in recovery at 11:10 AM. I was in my room by noon...eating cheese and crackers by 3 and walking and peeing my 4PM.

I was able to go home that night, but my Dr booked me for the night, and I was happy with that. It made me feel secure, to know that IF anything went wrong, I was there. I was home by 3PM the next day (my Dr told me to stay through lunch as my insurance was paying for that time, no matter if I used it or not. So I cruised the halls, ate breakfast and lunch and went home.

I did not really need any pain meds....not surprising as I gave birth in the past, with no drugs, and felt no pain.

I let them leave the messaging leg thingies on longer as they really felt weird, yet good. But I was happy when they finally took them away.

The worst part of all of this is that we all think that we can get back out there too early! Listen to the others....take it easy and do not rush anything. You have one chance to do it right! Take care of YOU!

Thank you all for your support and stories!!!

Lynn