TVH: Reality set in.....

So my surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday, June 24th. I had my pre op physical this morning where I was poked and prodded. I was due for a tetanus shot so I got stuck for that, too. My Doctor who I love dearly (she has been our Dr since the mid 90's) says to me, "The recovery won't be bad at all. Once your uterus is out and the pressure is gone from down there you'll feel much better." She said this after I told her that I was very nervous about the recovery room pain. I really felt that my surgery concerns were being minimized and was a little put off to be honest with you. My husband assured me that no Doctor is going to tell me, "Lisa, it's going to be bad at first..." but I am the type who would rather prepare for the worst than to be surprised.
After I left that appointment I was off to see the Surgeon for my pre op appointment with her. She was very kind in answering every single question I had listed. My husband came with me because he wanted to meet with the surgeon and to inquire about my three bad discs and my positioning for the three hour surgery. Again, I felt that my surgery concerns were being minimized. The surgeon said, "You should be back to normal in 3-4 weeks." I mentioned that I had purchased clothing in larger sizes for my swelly belly. She told me to keep the tags on them because I won't need them for TVH. She told me I wouldn't need a high rise seat or a donut......I felt a little dumb even mentioning those things at that point. Every single thing that I've researched I was pretty much told would not apply to me.
I had a vaginal ultrasound done. That wasn't too bad. My left ovary was very hard to find but other than that, all seemed ok. My surgeon said my uterus looks a little bigger than it should and she mentioned something about aden... something or other. I've read about it here. She said she wouldn't know about that until after she got in there and took the uterus out.
Then came the horrible and I mean horrible part. I had a catheter inserted into my urethra and they used saline to fill my bladder so they could see how much urine I hold, leak, etc... it was excrutiating. I've always had a very small urethra and I did mention that. I was assured that it was a small catheter and that lidocaine would be used. Nothing felt small or numb..... it was horrible. Afterward it was all I could do to walk and when I inquired about getting some pyridium (it numbs the urethra) I was told that it was used for bladder spasms and that my discomfort would be gone by tomorrow? Ok.......tomorrow? 24 hours from the time I started having the pain? 60 minutes in each hour.....I immediately began to panic about my after surgery pain. I mean, if I'm being told that I don't need to take anything for my pain now and I'm quite obviously in serious pain then what will it be like after surgery? I was freaking out. I did pick up the generic form of pyridium at Target and it helped after my third pee. Once the pee was bright orange I felt much better. The burning was gone but there was pain in that area like from an injury. I took Advil for that and it helped. What a nightmare! I'm now very concerned about how things are going to go on my surgery day. :0(

I'm sorry you are having the feelings that no one is listening but I have found out unless THEY are the pt. that seems to be the case. Every fear I dare mention, someone says "it won't be that bad" how do they know....and yes, at this time in our lives, we need some empathy .I pretty well take care of myself otherwise and don't ask for feedback...right now we girls just need to talk and have someone act at least like they care about our fear of pain. I hope your family can be of help to you and get you through your fears. The surprise tests are always a mountain to climb but somehow we do and get over to the other side..wiser for certain.

Hi, Leese,
I'm 22 days Post Op. I had a conversion Laparoscopic and then a TAH on June 2. You came to the right place. Please read some of the entries in the post-op posts from June 1- June 21. There is a lot of good advice from the sisters. I didn't purchase larger clothes although I did buy larger underwear so I could pull them over my tummy. The pain wasn't that bad for me after surgery. I had a morphine drip that I controlled, but didn't use it as much as I thought I would. I was in surgery over eight hours. When I woke up I was in my room. I slept through recovery room, so I don't even remember it. I don't do well with anesthesia so they kept me on anti-nausea drugs in my I.V. the entire three days I was in the hospital. I had no problems with nausea thanks to this. The hardest thing about after surgery is getting in and out of bed. Once your stitches or staples are removed sitting and moving become a lot easier. Gas is going to be your biggest problem. Prepare for painful gas pains by buying lots of anti-gas meds (Gas-X works great) and take your stool softeners. Eat fruit and lots of fiber. It sounds like your husband is very supportive, just relax and listen to him. Good luck on your big day and remember to take it easy. Don't do ANYTHING post-op.

Gosh, that does sound like quite a day. I'm sorry that you had such a rough time and some unpleasant surprises. Hopefully you're feeling better now and can relax and try to stay stress-free until Wed.

Please ask the anesthesiologist about a duramorph spinal. I had this in addition to the general anesth. and I completely eliminated any pain for the first 24 hours. It is a single shot in the spine (no pain - done after numbing) and was awesome for me. See if you are a candidate for this as it will really calm your concerns about post op pain.

Good luck! Stand firm in your questions - its your body!

I had major fear of the post op pain and the catheter experience. On the day of surgery, the pre op nurses take such good care of you and my anesthesiologist listened to me and explained everything. I asked what if I wake up and I am screaming in pain. He told me if that happened he did not do his job and he assured me the pain would be under control. I was still doubtful.
I had some versed to take the edge of before the OR. And some anti nausea med in my IV. Mine was a LAVH/BSO that lasted nearly 5 hours. I woke up with very manageable pain. It felt like cramping.
I was asking for a steak and baked potato by the time I got to my room.
And I dont even like red meat!
The catheter was removed that same night and I was up and walking and going to the bathroom on my own. I had some bladder discomfort but it was uncomfortable not terrible.
I had more of a problem with the migraine I got from the demerol. I went home on the evening of day 2 and only needed motrin at home.
There was a problem of getting comfortable with the headache and my shoulders aching from the gas used in surgery.
Be sure to pamper yourself - that is the best advice. Put a little heat on your shoulders or have someone massage them lightly.
I will be thinking of you and wishing you a great recovery! Believe me the pre op nurses understand the anxiety and do everything they can to reassure you. My recovery room nurse was great too, they ask you right away if you are feeling any pain and they take care of it.

((((Thanks, ladies!)))) I love reading your encouraging words! Thank you so much.
I should also note that I'm having a tvh with a tvt and A&P repairs for a cystocele and a rectocele.
I have read post op and pre op threads for the past few months as well as the hints, tvh posts, etc..... I really thought I had a good grasp on things but now as I said in my post, I just feel lost.....like everything I read was wrong. I do understand that we are all different and to be honest I'd much rather have panties, clothes, etc.. that are too large than to not have anything to wear if I do swell up. I guess Greg can pick up a donut type seat or a high rise if I find that I do want them. I did get a grabber and a bed tray..... I have lots of Gas X. I'm taking a sleeping mask, ear plugs, radio, magazines, and lots of other things to the hospital. I did also ask my Doctor to document that I could have my own gas pills. I feel like I'm prepared that way. It's just the mental aspect at this point. Had nothing happened today I'd still be blissfully ignorant I suppose...... I wasn't at all nervous about anything except for the pain in the recovery room and the length of my recovery until today. I will pray about it and ask for peace. That does help me.
Sorry for rambling.... thanks again for listening and for responding! Hugs to all.
Leese

Don't even think about apologizing. We're all dealing with a wide array of emotions and none are wrong. I couldn't begin to list all the different thoughts that go thru my mind every day. I have to tell myself "shush" on a daily basis. You're going to do great and we're all going to be here to greet you on the other side. You're going to have a better than expected experience and tell us all that we have nothing to worry about

Wow! or OMG! I can't believe your ordeal Leese9731. I am sorry they put you through all of that.
I am right there with you sister. Mine is scheduled for Wed. too. I think all of us are facing the same fears. I am glad I'm not alone... my scare is waking up with the breathing tube in me as well as the cath. tube.
We can get through this. Thankful to all your responders, I appreciate all the information and sisterly love out there.
I'll be thinking about you!

Regarding the pain from the urinary catheter and bladder spasm. If you are taking over the counter Pyridium, take two tablets instead of one. Prescription stregth Pyridium is 200mg, where as over the counter PYridium is 95mg. It is perfectly safe to take two over the counter Pyridium instead of one, but remember you can only take the Pyridium for three consecutive days. (Just in case you are wondering if I am qualified to give such advice, I have been a surgical physician assistant for over 20 years and have spent a consider amount of time working in gyne surgery and taking care of woman after their gyne surgery.) I hope this helps. FYI - I have to have a LSH in the very near future too.