My Op Experience & Report- Da Vinci Surgery

Hi all, I wanted to post this in the preop thread for those of you that are going through exactly what I was a few days ago. I was so scared, upset, anxious.. I poured my heart out to this wonderful forum and so many people reached out and responded. This is truly a great resource.

This is my hysterectomy story by the Da Vinci method. Cervix and Uterus removed. I know not everyone will have the same response, but this is what I went through - and its all good! I hope that by documenting my experience it can help put your mind at ease and give you an idea of what you may expect.

Wednesday, February 29 - Clear liquid day.. nothing red or orange to eat. Bowel prep began at 1 pm. I ate some broth, lime jello, mixed apple juice with water, popsicle, etc. to get me through the day. If you like Vietnamese Pho soup, I really recommend that you go and get the broth they use, its so delicious and is satisfying.

I took 4 laxatives at 1 pm. 2 pm was a full 10 oz bottle of the chilled lemon flavored magesium citrate. I won't lie, its not that great tasting. I mixed it with Sprite to try and get it down, but it didnt sit with me very well and I was a bit nauseated. Came to the forum to ask if this is normal.. several responses - YES! One suggestion was to have something on the stomach and then sip on it. I ate more broth and some more jello and was able to tolerate it more. At 5 pm was another full 10 oz bottle of the chilled lemon flavored magesium citrate... I didnt get this one all the way down, but it was definitely doing the job.

The cleanse itself wasn't too bad. I am very sensitive in that area so I loaded up on Prep H wipes and cream. Use it liberally, it does help. I also took small lukewarm baths in between when I was very sore.

Thursday - March 1 - Surgery day!
So very nervous.. butterflies in my stomach. It was all very surreal as I was going to the hospital and going through the motions.

Arrived at outpatient surgery at 5:30 pm, was sent to check in and then arrived at my room. Nurses came in to give me the gown and special socks to change into. I was on my period so kept my panties and pad on as long as I could. Vital signs taken.. same questions asked over and over, etc. Name, date of birth, sureron, etc etc. I then had to change into their mesh panties and pad - not a great look or feel, but that's not too bad.

IV prep - Since I was doing Da Vinci, the IV's were prepped in both arms for safety reasons. Left arm no trouble in finding the veins.. right arm was more trouble, I am bruised pretty bad on the whole forearm, but its not hurting. I was also told I would be staying overnight and sent up to the 4th floor after surgery for my stay.

7:00 am - I am wheeled off to surgery. I know my heart is racing and I am scared. The hospital staff was so nice and so sweet, they truly did care! I moved over on my own to the operating table. Scoot up, scoot down - there, that's perfect they tell me. I saw the robot that would be used - that thing is pretty big! It wasnt too clear as my glasses weren't on. Many people in the operating room, maybe 10-15? They all were bustling around doing their thing and getting ready.

The anesthesiologist held my hand and told me exactly what they were doing. First something in my IV to make me relaxed (yes, that was great!). Then a few minutes later he said they would put me to sleep. That's ALL I remember, I was out like a light.

10:00 am - I'm in recovery and Nurse Judy is speaking to me. Can I hear her? Yes.. Do I know where I am? Yes.. Am I in pain? No.. not really. She's talking to me, not saying anything I can really comprehend. I think she's just making some small talk so I can focus on waking up. I'm in a large room with other patients just waking up from other surgeries. I can hear some talking, some crying and saying they are in pain Nurse Judy pats my hand and says everything went really well - that I'm a great patient and I make the surgery look easy. HAH! If she only knew how I was a couple of days ago. I ask her what time it is (10 am) and how long did the surgery take? She said right about 1:40. Can I see my husband? Yes, when we are finished and you go to your room for the night.

I have a catheter in now, IV in the arm, bundled up in blankets and sheets. I also have to wear oxygen as I wasn't taking deep enough breaths and my levels were low.

After a bit I'm wheeled up to the 4th floor and settled into my room. Hubby and sis in law come in a bit later. I'm groggy, but not hurting. I notice the catheter more than anything as I've never had one before. On my feet is the pressure things that stay on all day to help prevent blood clots from forming. Kind of annoying but I didn't fuss about it.

Sleep is off and on the whole day. I don't hurt - I'm more sore as if I worked out all day long and did gardening work. Pain meds and motrin come regularly - I'm not on a self administred drip for pain, I'm taking something orally by mouth. Dinner was clear liquids again (I'm really sick of broth and jello by now). I look at my belly and see the incisions, there's 4 of them about 1 inch long. Below me in the bed is a lot of blood and a messy pad. OMG I panicked. Nurse Edna explains this is totally normal, it's all the stuff in me that drained out. She gave me a sponge bath and changed my mesh panties and pad and the pad below me. That felt much better. Pain does come again but its truly more of an uncomfortable pain and I'm not doubled over or anything. Hubby leaves for awhile to get dinner and I sleep which felt really good. Keep a pillow on your tummy throughout the day, when you cough to get the junk out of your lungs, you can press it against your tummy and it lessens the pain.

Friday, March 2
Throughout the day and night the nurses checked my blood pressure, temp, pulse, etc. I drank water and tea - not anything carbonated. Dry crackers were tasty too. The pressure socks and pump stopped about 10 pm Thurs night. When my fluid bag of IV ran out they took it out for the night - about 2 am. I am not nauseated thorughout this experience at all. I think it had something to do with the all clear liquids the day before surgery.

7 am my catheter is taken out (that didn't hurt - but I sure thought it would!).

8 am doc comes in and gives me a thumbs up, that as soon as I can pass gas and pee I can leave. I drink more water and then ask for assistance to get up and go to the bathroom. I'm not dizzy, just unsteady. Groggy. I'm DETERMINED to pee. I sit and sit and sit, false alarm. Nurse Kasey giggles at me because she sees that I really wanted to go. She tells me to walk around the halls, but not too far. Walking will really get the bowels going and everything moving again.

I had brought my own nightgown and yoga pants so I changed out of the hospital gown which was kind of funky from surgery. I put on deodorant, combed my hair, put my crocs on. I felt good and went and walked. Slow and steady I was, I dont stand up all the way, but it felt so good to move my legs.

10 am - yay, I peed! I am also passing gas and I feel my bowels waking up. It's not loud gas passing, just enough to know that something is coming out and moving again.

11:30 am - I get my final instructions and am ready to go home. Hubby goes to get my meds filled. The ride home wasn't bad, I did feel the soreness. Bring a pillow with you, that does help.

Home for the night, I eat soup for dinner. People come by to wish me well and am amazed that I am up and around. I went into bed to sleep and was very uncomfortable. It's like it hurt to stretch out and sleep. I was annoyed by this fact and went back out into the living room into the big recliner. I have my phone, cell phone, Nook, pain meds, big bottle of water and kleenex. I slept in the chair very well. When you think about it, the chair is almost like the hospital bed. It can recline some, stretch out, etc. Hubby slept on the couch next to me. He's really being a dear and trying as best as he knows how to help.

Saturday, March 3
Groggy again and little sore/pain when I wake up... Took pain meds at 6 am and slept until 8 am. I am tired of being in the chair, so I get up and take a shower, put my contacts in, and put on yoga pants and tshirt. We go for a walk outside. He steadies me when I need it but I really don't. The cool air and wind feels really good.

Hubby is out for awhile, he's tired of being indoors and I really don't need his help right now. He's restless so I shoo him out the door and assure him that I'm ok. I really am. I feel better than expected. I am sore, but not in PAIN. I am tender on my tummy, but I dont HURT. I know my body needs to heal and I'm doing what I can to get some rest and to get some activity. Walk when you can, rest when you need to.