LAVH: Questions for Dr, pre-op tomorrow

I have read lots of questions that I should ask the dr at my pre-op. I'm just wondering from the sisters that have been through the pre-op and/or surgery, any questions you should have/would have asked? Any questions looking back you wish you would have asked? Something that you forgot to ask?

I have a list with a few, but just want to make sure I don't forget anything.

Hope that I don't receive a parting gift from him on my way out. Didn't know about bowel prep, when we had the first conversation about scheduling the surgery.

Any thing you might think of?

Thanks!

nothing to add but just wanted to wish you well!!! what kind of hyst are you getting?

Currently scheduled for LAVH so long as no issues come up.

Thanks for the well wishes!

Hi Shannon!

I had my pre-op today and one of the questions I thought (thanks to HysterSisters) was about my bladder. I'm on 32 but I already have some incontinence and the PA made a note to have the doctor check my bladder and they will now do a bladder sling if my bladder falls.

That was my odd question to ask.

Good Luck!

thanks for that question. My bladder stinks big time. How do they check it? Any ideas?

She told me that after everything was taken out he would look to see if my bladder had "fallen" and go from there. I'm am not exactly sure what they mean by the bladder falling. I think it means it slips down into the cavity where the uterus used to be. (Can someone correct me if I am wrong please?)

I've read on here and other sites that during the hysterectomy is the best time to "fix" any bladder issues you already have which is why I asked and she seemed surprised that I did ask.

They think since I have so much scar tissue built up that when my uterus moves it pulls on my bladder and that is what is causing mine since I am still "young" and no kids. I am concerned because EVERY woman in my family that has had a hysterectomy has had to go back in and fix their bladder. I don't want to deal with those issues after dealing with the endo issues for so long.

Good luck!

aloha21 -

Check out the pre-op checkpoint questions - http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/view_preop.htm#

They may give you some ideas of questions you don't have on your list.



G.

Hello Aloha21! I don't know what questions you've read already so I'm just going to throw out what I asked.

* Will there be a bowel prep? If so, when do I start it? You need to know this in case it's liquid or pills that you have to start the day before, you need to know if you will be home preparing or not.
* I requested anti-nausea and pain medication to be given BEFORE I came out of surgery. I am known to wake up sick and in pain, that is not necessary, they can give you the meds ahead of time so you wake up groggy, not sick and hurting.
* What position will I be in for surgery? I have a bad lower back and wanted to know if I was going to be in a world of hurt there too.
* I am having a TLH so I had concerns about my bladder and pelvic floor. So I asked her how she takes care of the support. My doc sutures the ligaments to support it once the uterus has been removed.
* How long in the hospital?
* How soon will you have me up and around?
* General anesthesia with an epidural for pain help or no? Mine said no, wants you up that evening and usually can't get up until the next day with epidural.
* How long until I can drive?
* When are the follow-up appointments and how many?
* I am keeping my ovaries so I asked her if they shut down for awhile after surgery and they give me too much trouble, would she give me hormones to get me by until they wake up again?
* How long until I can have sex?
* How long off of work, what if I need longer?
* What medicines will I be given for at home? This is the time to go over any medicines that haven't agreed with you in the past. I will probably have narcotics while in the hospital but I want off of them ASAP because I don't like how they make me feel and they are constipating. Mine is going to give me Toradol for home. It is an anti-inflammatory and is not narcotic.

Good luck to you!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by maize1964 * What position will I be in for surgery? I have a bad lower back and wanted to know if I was going to be in a world of hurt there too.

Thanks Maize! That is perfect!!!!! I would never have thought to ask this question. My back is horrible and to know this ahead of time, and to remind my doctor of this ahead of time is key.

Other questions were great too, but this one was the light bulb aha moment that Oprah talks about.

Thanks Maize and everyone that responded.