Recovery Progress Reports for Hysterectomy dates Mar 05-Mar 11,2012

I had my hysterectomy this past tuesday, march 6th and am surprised how uneventful my recovery has been. I expected to have some pain, at least for the first week post-op. I'm thinking this must be because I thought I was going to have an LAVH and they did a vaginal? I feel so blessed and will be thanking God frequently for my experience. Right now my pain and worrying are directed at having a bm, frankly I've become obsessed with it. I made sure I had one Monday, the day before my sugery, I was on a liquid only diet that day. Picked at my dinner in hospital after surgery tuesday. I ate some, but not much of my 3 hospital meals yesterday and have flooded my body with fluids all day today. I took 2 fiber laxatives last night, 2 this am, 2 suppositories today and another 2 fiber laxatives mid-day. I've severly bloated myself and have not had the urge to have a bm.... Wonder if I should just sit and wait....I suffer from chronic constipation so this is why I am so worried.

Rainbowsend - Try prune juice. I had to drink 2 cups of it but it sure worked for me. Don't forget to drink at least 8 cups of water because it is the water that makes the fiber swell and keep everything soft. Without water, the fiber becomes rock hard.

I had my surgery at 7:30 am and was in my room by 10. Dr said everything went great and that aside from the adenomyosis he also removed fibroids. Was in my room and doing fine until I hit the button on the pump for the pain meds, I just didnt want to start hurting and wait to long for the meds to work, BIG mistake. I had Morphine in my lil pump and it made me throw up everything I had been able to drink and eat. After trying to eat again and throwing up three more times I realized it was the meds. I quit all pain meds and thank goodness it was bearable. The nurse came in and freed me so I could go to the restroom on my own and I DID immediately. I was a little scared to eat breakfast when they brought it but that bacon smelled so good. I ate and got dressed and took a walk. I was so blessed that my DH was in the room with me and stayed the night.

After driving 30 min (glad it was no longer) I ran in the house to use the restroom and took a lil nap. Been really lucky with the gas I guess, I have had no problem with that. I do have a little cough but I know its from that tube down the throat. I also have a low grade fever but my daughter and Daughter in Law (both nurses) assured me its normal to have a little after surgery but to monitor it. I am very flushed in the face though.

I will start my HRT tonight, estrace 2mg. Go back to my Dr. in 1 wk. He said I could drive it if I wanted but I am not risking it.

Gonna go find something to eat and relax.

Lola - Wise move about the driving! You should be off all narcotics and it sounds like you are, but you should also be able to turn and look behind you as well as be able to stomp on the brakes. Please take it easy and let your body heal itself.

Happy healing!

I still have pain, but I wonder how much is gas? I took a shower yesterday and that was marvelous. I wake up every 4 hours, just in time to take pain meds. Now, if I could get beyond the dreaded first BM!

TAH 8 a.m. GMT 8th March - Intnl Womens' Day! All going well, and pain much less than feared. Got some sleep in the night but now they have taken out the catheter so gonna have to get out of bed to pee. Scary!

LSH 3/5 update. I am able to sleep on my right side with a body pillow next to me. I have slept a lot. It rained today and it felt great to just stay in the bed. I did make myself a strawberry banana and prune juice smoothie. I was really good. Other than that, I'm still getting used to not reaching or bending for things. I'm in way less pain now but the minute I forget and twist wrong, I pay for it later. My belly has gone down a bit.

Wishing everyone a speedy recovery. Hugs

Just had my LAVH on 3/8. Doctor was really pleased and said it couldn't have gone better. Took quite some time to pee on my own because I was dehydrated from the late working bowel the day before. I think they had to give me like 3 bags of fluid before I had a "smurf" pee. I ended up coming home at 6pm (surgery was 7:30am). Pain wasn't too bad, nausea is my worst problem. They gave me a couple of different things for it in the surgery center and a prescription for home.

Its allergy/pollen season. Last night the post nasal drip began along with cough. Coughing is not good!!! Until sudafed took effect i was hurting fom coughing, can feel it this morning.

I'm having a hard time not doing too much. I'm only 4 days post op and I can't seem to rest. The doc said walking was good, but I think he would be upset with me if he knew how much I was doing. The problem is I'm not really having much pain. I've got swelly belly gas/constipation and it burns a bit around the incision site, but other than that, I still feel so much better now that I've had the surgery it's hard to stay still. I caught myself doing a BIG no-no this morning, I moved one of the end tables in the living room. I'm wondering if I should just cut myself off the vicodine and go to Motrin. This way if I do I have pain, I know to STOP!