Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates Jan 09-Jan 15,2012

I had my first post-op exam today and it went well. He lifted all my restrictions (except for intercourse - says a total of 9 weeks before that). Shoot - I guess that means I have to start doing my own vacuuming again! I asked him about some of the discomfort I still have (especially with bowel movements) and the swelly belly and he said a couple of times that while I was doing well, I am STILL healing and that it would take a long time before everything got back to "normal." He also reiterated that even though I looked healed from the outside that major surgery had taken place on the inside - the same as if he had opened me all up. It was reassuring to hear him say all this since right after my surgery he had sounded so cavalier about how easy recovery was with DvH surgery. Anyway, he basically discharged me from his care and I will be following up with a different "team" now for my cancer checks.

Georgiapeach24 - Vent all you want! I too send you hugs!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinkermarie ok girls I need your help....this is driving me crazy thinking about all the problems I might be having....I do go to doc in morning though becuase I just cant take it anymore. I went back to work a week ago today. Been doing pretty well with that, except driving and sitting! also, was on my feet over the weekend and had some serve pains a few days after i figured i just stood too long...but, anyway, the prob im having is BURNING! I actually felt it start last monday...so its been 10 days. I thought it was a UTI...told the doc on Monday the 6th that i felt some burning, he checked me said everything seemed fine. the burning never went away so on Friday i called and told him i think i have UTI cuase the burning in still there in the "urethra" area...it actually feels a little better standing....dont mind it laying as much either. but this sitting up right at work for 8-9 hours and driving 3 hours a day is killing me. but, i had it BEFORE i came back...i just feel it allot more right now. of course ive looked up prolapse and all that crazy jazz and have myself worked up scared to death....has anyone else had this burning feeling? i will be done with a week of cipro 500mg fri...so, this should really be gone by now if its just a UTI...

Sorry to hear you're going through this. It probably is inflammation caused from the stress of sitting for so long. Don't drive yourself crazy. Get your doctor's diagnosis and I hope you get to rest some more. Some girls have advised using a garbage bin as an ottoman at work so that you get to put your feet up. Elevating your feet/legs really helps a lot. I have 3 hour classes and have to ride the bus and metro in and by the mid-session break I need to put my legs up on another chair or desk. If I don't get to do that I'm just about going crazy on the public transit wanting to lie down and there is more pressure and discomfort when I urinate. So maybe it's just the need to give your body a break from extensive sitting and standing and nothing serious at all. I hope that helps a bit. But do let us know how you're doing after your md's visit. Take care! xo!

Hello, I had a partial on Jan 9 and it seemed that everything went well. I stayed in the hospital 5 days, once I was released I felt good a little pain if I waited to long to take my meds any the staples were super irritating. On the 19th I got the staples out(woo-hoo). The very next day I felt I was having labor contractions, however I though the would pass ..they didn't!!! After 6 hours of this pain I went to the ER, at which time I was admitted due to a large infected hematoma. The following morning I was taken back into surgery at which time I had the hematoma and my ovaries removed. After this procedure my intestines did not wake up (the term the Drs. & nurses used) until 5 days later, good news I was release on the 6th day!!! My stomach is still tender but the binder helps a lot... One minor issue that I'm experiencing is when I'm standing or walking I have to go to the bathroom...anyone else???

I find it very reasuring that I am doing about the same as others at this stage. I had the surgery Jan 11 but another surgery to repair damgae to the ligiment on Jan 27. I have the swelly belly. I can't really drive much with out it really tugging and pulling. I had driving restrictions for five weeks due to the second surgery. I can finally walk up and down stairs as much as I want but not to fast at night or I pay for it. Standing for longer then a hour at a time makes my legs hurt. The only time I take mortirn is after overduing it. Fustrating when I know I have to slow down for a little longer! I want to get back to excersie but I figure once the dr lets us return to sex I can start to add back the excersise . I think I will start back on my hcg style diet on Monday except I eat 1000 calories packed with protien and vegetables. I like the fat, sugar, flour, and dairy restrictions and portion control. I figure after three weeks I can go back to excerise so this will help my with the swelly belly and I found it helped me get on track. Thanks for posting everything ladies, it's nice to know I'm at a normal place in recovery.

Had a TAh with removal of both ovaries on January 10, feeling good save for still having a swollen belly and frustrated for not being able to fit into my jeans..anyone have any idea when this will happen? Also, any advice on Calcium/Vitamin D supplements as have been advised by doctor to start taking as am now taking estrogen...thanks!

Calcium/Vit D have something to do with estrogen?! I had no idea. My doctor said nothing. Is there anything else I need to know in regards to nutrition? She did tell me to take iron because of my blood loss in surgery and I was slightly anemic going into it. Hate that stuff.

Just got back from the doctor for my 5 week check up. She did an internal exam and said my stitches are still in tact and should start dissolving next week. All looks really good. I can drive now short distances until the stitches dissolve. I'm so happy about that. She is concerned about the Swelly belly though. Said I should not be experiencing it as bad. She thinks it may have been worse this past week because this is the week I would have been on my cycle. She wants me to call her in two weeks if it's still bad. Said it may be a gastrointestinal issue. So far today I am not having it at all.

The funny thing was she complimented me on my jeans. Then laughed when I told her they were maternity pants. That's when she said I shouldn't need them.

I also got a copy of my pathology report. I need to get the dictionary out to understand some of it, lol. But it did show 22 fibroids were present. Benign of course. I think that puts me at ease with my decision. I don't think she would have been able to remove all of them via a myomectomy. I wouldn't have had a uterus to sew back up.

To help with the insomnia, She gave me a prescription for ambien, but said to try lavender scent or melatonin first, filing the prescription will be my absolute last option.

All in all...still need to take it slow this next week and start slowly exercising and easing back into things, including sex after next week. I don't go back until october unless something new develops. And I'm cleared to go back to work 2 weeks from today. I'm super excited!

So glad to say that the sharp pains radiating from the right of my pubic bone have somewhat subsided and i've had a good day today, even working six hours at my job (library).
I have more and more energy every day and good sleeping at night. I think I see a light at the end of the hysterectomy tunnel.
My only complaint is the incontinence. It is far worse post surgery than before .

A bit of advice for my sisters, drink some metamucil or some type of fiber drink.....it works wonders....! At least, for me.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Virginiabelle Calcium/Vit D have something to do with estrogen?! I had no idea. My doctor said nothing. Is there anything else I need to know in regards to nutrition? She did tell me to take iron because of my blood loss in surgery and I was slightly anemic going into it. Hate that stuff.

Its just a preventative measure, I am only 35 and am going to be taking estrogen for the next 15 years. She did tell me not to take iron supplements as I am not having a period anymore.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyLibrarian So glad to say that the sharp pains radiating from the right of my pubic bone have somewhat subsided and i've had a good day today, even working six hours at my job (library). I have more and more energy every day and good sleeping at night. I think I see a light at the end of the hysterectomy tunnel. My only complaint is the incontinence. It is far worse post surgery than before . A bit of advice for my sisters, drink some metamucil or some type of fiber drink.....it works wonders....! At least, for me.

I had my TLH on January 9 so I got my week 5 email shout out from the HysterSisters administrator...? There are a number of exercises that they recommended for strengthening the pelvic floor and tightening the muscles in the vagina that should help a lot with incontinence. Check them out. I know the Bridge exercise in pilates helps but I don't think we can do that yet. BTW, I've been drinking just a half cup of prune nectar before every meal (sometimes I skip) and that works like magic... it's not just for senior citizens! )