2 weeks post-op and want to encourage everyone

To all ladies in waiting.....

The pre surgery jitters are worse than the surgery. I was so nervous when I first found out that I needed a TVH that I let my nerves get the best of me. After finding this site and reading everything I could find, I settled down and spent the last few weeks before surgery preparing myself and I thought my house.

I would like to offer words of encouragement and helpful hints that made a great difference to me. I hope that this will help someone else that is a "lady in waiting" have an easier time.

1) I had my surgery with a different doctor than my normal one. I had only seen him on a few occasions many weeks before the surgery. I wanted to be more than just a name, so I scheduled a pre-op consulation with him just days before my surgery. I had already been to the hospital for my preop tests and wanted to discuss with him any last minute concerns and questions especially concerning ovary removal and HRT. (I was able to keep my right ovary, so hopefully no HRT). I wrote down questions every time I read something on this site, or anything the hospital wasn't able to answer. By doing this only a few days before surgery, I felt so comfortable going into those last few days, that I really can say I was not that nervous. With my copay the consulation cost my $10.00, the best money I have ever spent and all we (my husband also came along) did was talk and go over everything including surgery questions, length of stay questions, meds, vaginal packing, catheter, and many other questions. I went down my list from top to bottom and even if we had kinda discussed, I would just go over every point.

2) Don't worry about your house. True friends will not care and may even bring over meals as mine did!!!

3) Some hints for the bathroom: Have some light day pads, and an extra 4 roll of toilet paper sitting on the floor right next to the toilet before you go to the hospital. You will probably need both right away the first week.

Also, don't worry about your first bowel movement. I had my surgery on Tuesday, 8/21 and didn't even go until Friday evening and then with the help of a stool softener taken early that morning. A small stool to put your feet up on while relaxing on the toilet really does help make the job much easier. I am still using the stool. May keep it in their for good!!

4) Have at least 4 pillows available for your bed when you come home. I have found that one under the knees and one on each side of your pelvis helps to keep you sleeping on your back and if you do turn on your side, the side pillows help support your pelvis.

5) Drink water, water, and more water. I found that every time I eat a meal or snack, if I drink a quick cup of water I can get more water in my system and want to eat less sweets. Also have on hand a supply of cranberry juice for keeping the bladder from infection. Water and juices really help with the bladder and bowel systems.

6) About 2 to 3 weeks before your surgery, start reading the POST-OP message board also. I learned alot of what to expect in the hospital, after just coming home and what is normal and not normal. You won't feel like sitting at the computer for a week or so and this way the first few days you will know what to expect.

7) Go to the library and check out some large print books. They are easier to read while laying down and you will need something to occupy your time. After you are feeling better but still can't do to much, I encourage everyone to work on their family genealogy. There are many great sites online and phoning family members for family history can kill some time and will give you that warm fuzzy feeling when reminscing with parents, aunts, uncles and hopefully grandparents. Some sites to try are ancestry.com, familysearch.org and cyndislist.com. You may even uncover some skeletons in the family closet.


I really can say my surgery was a breeze. Was only in the hospital 28 hours total from my surgery time and felt good enough to go home. I am very tired yet and don't do much now other than walk two to three times a day. I saw my doctor at one week and before that really just slept or read. Really take it easy the first few weeks. You will start feeling better, but beware if you overdue it you will pay for it the next few days.

I wish everyone the best of luck and speedy recoveries. But please know, that the surgery is easier than the waiting.

Good luck to all upcoming ladies in waiting!!!

JILLfromWI TVH (kept right ovary) with spinal
due to fibroids and left ovarian cyst and


PS: Thanks to all you make this site so wonderful. I don't think I could have managed without it!!!

Great message Jill! Glad you're home and feeling good. Keep it up on the water and cranberry juice! I didn't get my bladder infection until week 4 when I let up on my fluid intake.

It's so true that the surgery is easier than the waiting!

Have a wonderful recovery!!!

I will be keeping all of these things in mind today at my pre-op visit. The nerves are the worst! Looking forward to this being over on the 12th. Dawn

These are some excellent suggestions - thanks for a great post!

Thanks Jill for your post

It really helped me anyway. I am having my surgery in less than two weeks so all the help I can get is great.

I am really trying to have a positive outlook prior to my surgery. So far it has really helped.I am off to my pre op surgery at the hospital this afternoon.


Take Care

Thanks for such a positive post...I know all of us ladies in waiting love to hear the positive other side of the rainbow!

I also feel the don't over do it, you'll pay for it was directed at me! Thanks again!