Should Mother-In-Law Visit? (and 3 other questions!)

Yeah, I thought that title would be catchy! But ya'll I am serious! ... Should my Mother-In-Law come help after my surgery? She truly is a wonderful woman, but would have to drive 8 hours to get here, so I want to let her know in advance. My husband will be home for 7 days following my surgery. Then he goes to work for 2 days. Then he is home for 4 more days. Will I need or want my Mother-In-Law here? Or will I be able to manage? (It's just my husband, me and our dog.) Please give me your thoughts!

Another question while I gotcha! ... Should I order a shapewear bodysuit now? My upcoming surgery is a hysterectomy (w/ovaries), peritoneal resection, and inguinal hernia repair. The general surgeon doing the hernia repair told me they would give me an abdominal band, but I've heard those can be uncomfortable. I would rather have something comfortable to wear, especially going back to work.

Which brings me to my next question! My surgery is Dec. 20th. I am scheduled to go back to work on Jan. 5th. I can structure my job to be mostly desk work for a few weeks, but it is a 10 minute walk into my office from the parking lot, and there will be some other walking during work. Is 15 days too soon to go back to work???

My surgery is scheduled as "outpatient". I will go in the AM and be home in the PM. I live about 1 hour to 1-1/2 hours away. Should I be concerned? Should I ask them to keep me as long as possible?

Whew! Okay... THANK YOU in advance for your advice!

Well since we can only give advice from experience, here it goes, I had LSH with many repairs done on Nov 28 Sun night I started bleeding very heavy, I've been in bed doing little walking, thank god I had a bladder test at my doc on Mon 5th I tore a stitch in the rectocele repair, and the bleeding wouldn't stop, they told me it would possibly stop today or tomorrow cause everything looked good inside not for me to worry, yeah right, so I get home and rest take a suppository and I'm me again, the bleeding has stopped by early afternoon, but my advice is be so very careful on how much walking you do, I only did 3 laps a day around our pool table then back in bed. Walking can put a strain on you , I wish you the best. Cat

I had a diVinchi assisted hysterectomy with removal of uterus & cervix (kept both ovaries). Surgery had no complications, recovery Has been text book perfect. I went back to work today - 2 weeks after surgery. Sounds great, huh? I am absolutely exhausted & my belly is swollen and tender. Not looking forward to tomorrow.

You are having several additional steps ( ovary removal & repairs) during your surgery. I suggest that if you can take off 4-6 weeks that you do so.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. We'll be here for support :0)

I'm totally having my mother-in-law stay with us after my surgery. She is flying in a few days after my surgery. That way I will have some time just to rest before she gets here. She had a hysterectomy when she was my age so it will be nice to have someone around who understands what I am going through and can help out. She'll be here for Christmas so she'll be doing all of that work for me. I'm so happy I have her. By the way kooks, I live right near you in Jacksonville!

Ok,

1) I wouldn't think you'd need your MIL to come stay with you unless there was complications. You could just put her "on call" in case she is needed. I had TAH and my hubby took me home from the hospital and went back to work that afternoon. He didn't stay home with me any days and I was fine. Of course, I had no complications. I slept on the couch until he got home. he'd help me into bed at night, help me get up before he left for work and the couch is where I stayed. I was able to shower on my own, pop a frozen dinner in the microwave, get up to go to the bathroom, etc.

2) I really don't know what shapewear is, but I will say, everything was uncomfortable (for me) for at least 3 months. I liked the binder because it was easy to take off anytime it got uncomfortable.

3) I think 15 days is too soon to go back to work but that is something you should discuss with your doctor. Even though you are having a less invasive procedure, at 15 days post op, you are still too early into recovery "internally" to be doing a lot. But that is your choice to make.

4) Personally, I'd stay in the hospital as long as they will allow. I still find it appalling that some docs will do MAJOR surgery and send someone home the same day. There is always the chance of complications within 24-48 hours after any surgery. If any complications were to happen, I'd much rather already be in the hospital instead of having to drive to the ER, and wait to see a doctor you didn't know.

Just my .2 cents