Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates Jan 02-Jan 08,2012

Hi Ladies!
Had a Laprascopid supracervical hysterectomy with removal of the left tube and ovary on 1/4/12. It was an outpatient procedure and I was extremely pleased with all of it. The nurses and doctors did an outstanding job of learning about me and informing me of everything they were about to do. It's the post op stuff I'm unsure about, they told me in the hospital no lifting over 5 lbs, but for how long. My sister said no vacuuming, but for how long? I'm already having a lot of questions answered. I am now on day 9 and some days are better than others. On the good days I am tending to overdo it, so the next day is a down day where I really have to take it easy and just sit down most of the day, because my belly and stitches hurt. I'm learning as I go along though. I was released on 800 mg ibuprofen every 8 hours which I still take at least twice a day, but I stopped the percocet every 4 hours b/c it made me feel horribly nauseas and dizzzy and just sick. I even tried to take it with anti nausea pills but I still felt worse taking it than not. I try to walk around the house and do a little light housework, but am sleeping 12 hours at night, and still feel weak and tired during the day while I'm up. Every day is a bit better though!

I'm on day 9 and yesterday was the first day I put on some sweat pants and a sweat shirt and slowly walked a block to the mail box and back. I've been living in my satin pajamas (makes it easier to slide out of bed) and am more worried about doing something/anything productive everyday I'm laid up than getting dressed. So far I've written thank you notes and cards, sorted coupons, paid bills, watched TV, cleaned out some drawers and bathroom cupboards, ironed, and washed a couple windows. Yes I know some of that I shouldn't have done, as I am now reading here on this website! Thank goodness you're all here to keep me from doing anything stupid. I did go to Burlington before the surgery and bought myself 3 pair of sweat pants for $10 a piece, and all my work pants are Chico's Travelers I got at the resale shop (elastic waist) I should be good.

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The other thing that happened to me that I was not prepared for was a reaction to the anesthesia. Have had a dozen surgeries and this is the first time this has happened to me. The day after my surgery, while talking on the phone, I started to feel the need to clear my throat. Then it started to feel like I couldn’t clear my throat and that I was having trouble breathing. This sent me into to a panic attack that lasted the next two days. I couldn’t sleep. Keep getting up to walk around and try to clear my throat and lungs. The nurse finally brought me a humidifier and gave me some mucinex. This helped but I have continued to have ‘bouts’ of this every day since the surgery. Today seems a lot better. Apparently, your airways can become irritated from the tube and anesthesia and cause the sensation of phlegm and not being able to clear your airway. I think it’s more of a sensation than anything but it really threw me into a state of panic and I have had a definite increase in anxiety.

I underwent something very similar with my throat when I got home too. I felt like I was getting strep and my throat was very sore and I kept feeling like I had to clear phlegm from my throat, I had a vaporizer turned on in my bedroom and got some sore throat spray and used that for two days before the pain went away. I also noticed blisters and a blood blister at one point. I guess it was from being intubated. I've had other surgeries but never had that happen.

I was at Mercy too for my outpatient procedure on the 4th and was so very impressed with the way they treated me!

jrumker,

The itching could mean it's healing. I had stitches once, and that's what the doctor said when they started itching. Mine are itching, too.
Let's hope that is what that is...

Ladies -

You can check the Hysterectomy Checkpoints to give yourself some guidelines around how long you may have lifting restrictions. Definitely talk to your Dr. about it.

There are some videos in the Video section that have information from one practice and the guidelines from one Dr. Again something to give you information that you can use to discuss with your Dr.

Everyone seems to be coming along nicely. Just think for many of you this is coming to the end of the 2nd week of recovery so make sure you review the week 3 & 4 Checkpoints. Don't forget we have videos which are condensed versions in the Post-Op menu above.

I am having a lot of pain on my left side under my incision. It also happens to be the incision that has some pretty good bruising and the one that had blood on the gauze that the hospital staff kept checking. It is also my only nasty lasting bruise.

Ah for itching strips, I am allergic to adhesives on bandages so they all itched until they fell off. I find patting around the itching area provides relief.

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Originally Posted by italyqt I am having a lot of pain on my left side under my incision. It also happens to be the incision that has some pretty good bruising and the one that had blood on the gauze that the hospital staff kept checking. It is also my only nasty lasting bruise. Ah for itching strips, I am allergic to adhesives on bandages so they all itched until they fell off. I find patting around the itching area provides relief.

Hi Italyqt,
I too am allergic to the adhesives, for future reference they have surgical strips without adhesive they can use on you. There are special bandaids in the store that don't have the adhesive that you can use to cover your stitches.

I find putting ice over the itchy areas helps provide some relief for me.

I can't sleep. I know I am not going to get my period. I would have gotten it now, I am pretty sure. I have that horrible pre-menstrual feeling in my legs. They feel like the blood has drained from them and now a crampy. oh, so uncomfortable. ugh. I was hoping these feelings would go away.

I am feeling cold and my home temperature is a warm temperature for my place. I just took my temperature and it is 96.5. I am bundling up and walking around to get my legs feeling better hoping.