TAH: Concerns about being overweight and getting ready for surgery

I have my surgery scheduled and I am about a 100 pounds overweight. I have a lot of concerns about the surgery and the healing process. I know that there is other women out there that has been through this and would just like some words of advice. I am trying to start exercising but the more active I am the more I bleed, so this is very hard. Thanks

I also am overweight about 100lbs and my surgery is September 20. I had an ablation done in may and was bleeding ever since. I gave in and scheduled the surgery and haven't bled since. I figure mother nature is hoping I cancel it then surprise. I am keeping my surgery date. I also have been taking off some weight.Please let me know how you do if you are scheduled before me.

I am four weeks post op after a TAH and BSO. I am also very overweight. My gynocological oncologist did extra measures to ensure that my incision would heal correctly - ie some retainage sutures. There were no problems with my surgery, a few extra procedures that all went well. My healing is going much slower than some of the others on the post, but I have not had any major complications. Talk to you surgeon at your pre-op appointment. I was much calmer about the weight issue after I talked to mine. Your surgeon knows about the weight and I am sure they are just as good as mine was, and will take all measures to ensure you have a safe recovery. Just try to remember that it is not a race to recover the fastest. Listen to your body, and remember that even if it takes longer, having a safe recovery is the most important thing. That sometimes is the hardest thing to do. Take care of yourself and follow your surgeons directions.

I am a bit over a year from my TAH-BSO. I am also over 100 lbs. overweight. Please discuss this concern with your doctor first so she can explain any medical issues she is anticipating because of it. At my weight, it was harder for the surgeon to get in there with her hands and explore my abdomen for the cancer she had to look for, but it was certainly do-able!

As for recovery and comfort, I don't think the compression garments our other sisters talk about here on the forum fit us well. You could just go for a tighter pair of briefs if you want to have something to stop the jiggling after surgery. (It is really helpful!) Walking as exercise before surgery is great because you will be doing a lot of it after surgery to get your system moving again. Any amount of weight you can safely lose beforehand is also to your advantage.

My recovery took an average amount of time and there were no complications. Don't be afraid of this just because you are larger!

I am also overweight. I was losing weight for awhile until the pain became constant and I was using painkillers on a daily basis. My Dr said they will give me antibiotics right away as I will be at a higher risk for infection with my TAH but that is all she sees as a problem. We have already discussed measures to make sure that the incision remains dry (use a blow dryer on a low setting to make sure you are dry after a shower)

I look forward to finally being pain free so that I can address my added padding.

Good luck to everyone with upcoming surgeries.