dVH/RALH: Seeking daVinci pre-op tips

Hi Sisters!

I have adenomyosis and am scheduled for removal of my uterus via the daVinci method on Dec. 29. I am seeking pre-op tips, such as items you wish you had in the hospital or things you wish you had done in advance, or any advice specific to the daVinci surgery.

Do you need one of those "swelly belly" items or is that just for open abdominal surgery? Were you able to get out of bed or did you need something for leverage? Was it painful?

Did you have any negative side effects and how long did it take you to recover?

Any pre-op or post-op advice is welcome and appreciated!

Thank You!

I had the Da Vinci too, Dec. 3. I had five incisions done. I tried the larger, granny style panties after surgery, but the waistband was right at my incisions, so I was able to wear my regular drawers that fit below my waist/hip hugger type. However, wearing my sweats and pj pants that low meant I was tripping over the pant legs.
I was able to get up and use the bathroom after surgery, I just needed a hand to get up the first time or two to help keep me steady. I did brace myself on the arm of the hospital bed as well. Getting up seemed to pull my incisions a bit but I got better at rolling to my side first, and pushing up with my arms while swinging my feet to the floor.
When I got home, I had a stepstool placed by the bed so I could brace myslef against its handle when I stood up (only the first day or so). I was able to shower by myself on day 3, but had someone waiting outside the door in case I needed help.
I didn't have a belly band, but found a wide ACE bandage wrapped just snug enough to feel like my belly was being hugged a little was nice, but I didn't use it very often.
I am 9 days post-op and can do most pre-op activities, but in smaller doses. Too much activity of any kind still makes me tired. I was given ibuprofen and percocet, and was off the percocet after day 3, and ibuprofen at day 6. I had my first post-op bowel movement about three days after surgery. I used a stool softener, tried to eat a lot of fiber and drank a lot of fluid.
I have one incision that bothers more than the others, but mostly they are just starting to itch.
Oh and bring a bathrobe to the hospital. The nurses will want you to get up and walk a bit, a bathrobe keeps you from holding the hospital gown shut so you don't moon the other patients.

HI! I had my RALH 6 months ago and have never felt better!!!
I will try and answer some of your questions from my experiences-
*I wasn't in the hospital long enough to need much- all i needed was a toothbrush, and clean sweats to go home in- the only other things you might want is chapstick, slippers, brush/comb/ponytail holders..
*one thing at home that helped me was to have BOOST to drink because i wasn't hungry.. also make sure all your laundry is done including clean sheets... food in the house....
*I didn't need a swelly belly band but i have heard of others getting one. Yes, i did have the dreaded belly for a long time but now its gone...
I had to roll out of bed... meaning roll onto your side and use my arms to push me up. It wasn't too painful once you get use to it-
*I have had no problems recovering!!! One word i did learn was PATIENCE!!!!!! You only have 1 time to heal and so make sure you do it right- meaning LISTEN TO YOUR BODY- REST and RECOVER- DON'T OVERDO anything..... Like i said, i am 6 months post and feel better than ever. My ovaries did go to sleep for about 3 months and i did experience menopausal symptoms but that did pass too.
*One tip I do have is to always keep a pillow with you- in the car especially to put under the seatbelt!!! I would even hold onto it when i went to the bathroom...
One more thing, you might want to get a heating pad- it did help at times when my back would hurt.... you have to sleep on your back for awhile which i wasn't use to....
ANYWAYS- I am sure you will get a lot more responses but i hope this helps!!
Good luck to you........

This was SO helpful - thank you, thank you!!!

Thanks for sharing these tips! How long did your swelly belly last?

my swelly belly lasted for at least 3/4 months.... especially if i have overdone it or at the end of the day.... even now i feel i get it at times... they say it takes 6 months to a year to completely heal-
One other thing- a lot of sisters have had issues with gas and constipation- have some meds on hand too in case this happens to you like gas-x or something similar : ) Pain meds do constipate you!

Thanks for the advice! Maybe I will get one of those swelly belly bands...

I will be 5 weeks post-op tomorrow. I feel great!!!! The waiting is definately the HARDEST part. Anyway... I don't think you really need to take alot to the hospital, you won't be there long enough to use it. Since I was there less than 24 hours, they put me in a observation room, it didn't have a shower or window. I would take a robe, and slippers, when you are up walking the halls, working out the gas. Make sure you have the pantry, and fridge stocked, you will not feel like going shopping for a few days. I know there is so much more I am forgetting to tell you, like I said the waiting is the hardest part, after surgery, it is like you almost forget everything you wondered, and worried about. Good luck, and God bless.

I had DaVinci this past Wednesday and was up and walking the next morning. Expect some nausea the very first time they get you up. Most folks get sick due to all the anesthetics that are still in your body.

If I had been smarter, I'd have gotten a belly band to support my tummy. I have a big, flabby stomach so when I walk, it bounces a little so I end up walking around, holding it still a lot.

I have 5 incisions, most of which are in the ideal places to snag on granny panties so I just wear my usual ones and shove the front of the waistband under my fat belly. Ditto with my sweat pants. Make sure you have a long shirt unless you like flashing the world.

In the hospital, do NOT forget to bring a robe, some chapstick, an eye-mask, earplugs, and a small, firm pillow such as a small sofa or chair cushion to help prop yourself up with. I think what I used the most were those few items. I also found it very comforting to have my own pillow there, too. I brought a book but never even cracked the pages. Between napping, watching TV with my hubby, being encouraged to get up and walk by the nurses and all that, I was pretty busy and pretty worn out at the same time.

Gas-X and stool softeners are your friend. Use them and use them as often as prescribed. Just trust us on this. Walking will be your best buddy after surgery, too. It helps wake your intestines back up from the surgery and helps walk out some of the CO2 gas they use to inflate your abdomen during surgery.

Unless something goes really radically wrong, you'll likely only use the pain pump for a few hours in the hospital. I found that most of my post-op pain was really less surgical and more from the inflation than anything. The pain here at home is pretty much solely gas pain. I'm completely off everything except ibuprofen at this point. In any case, the faster you can get off the narcotics, the less gas pain and constipation you'll have.

You're going to do just fine with this, I promise. I did it and I'm a big baby. Just remember to take it slowly and easy once you get post-op and let others care for you as much as possible. It is tempting to push ourselves but really, it might set you back to push too much too soon.

Oh thank you SO much for your encouragement! You are so right -- the waiting is the hardest part. Did you need to wear one of those belly support bands? I still can't figure out if they are for open abdominal surgery or if you need them for the daVinci approach too...

Glad you got through it. Happy Holidays!