Dvh 3/30/12

I was diagnosed with fibroids back in the late 1990’s, but took bc pills and they shrunk and were not problematic until 2009. I then saw my doctor, who ordered an ultrasound. My uterus showed three large fibroids and some ovarian cysts. She gave me several options, including wait-and-see (she thought I would be going through menopause soon and my fibroids would shrink).

Flash forward to 2012. I'm 50, not menopausal, and my fibroids increased in size, as did my uterus. I was bleeding 2 wks every month and had constant lower pelvic discomfort. My doc recommended a vaginal hysterectomy. I freaked out.

After reading the advice on this website, I got a second opinion. My new (and current) doctor also recommended a hysterectomy, but told me that she would use the DVH. I did more research then scheduled the procedure for 3/30. In the interim, I had an EKG, blood work and a pre-op and physical.

On 3/29/12, I did the bowel prep. I had eaten lightly that day, so after I took the 10oz bottle of magnesium citrate, I had runny stools. My surgery was scheduled for 5:30 am, so I did not sleep.

On 3/30/12, we arrived at the hospital. There were several snafus in the admissions process, but after admission, I changed into a gown and waited on a bed in the pre-op room. There were other people in the room, including a young boy (about 2 yrs old) and a mentally disabled man who kept yelling. When the nurse was inserting the I V, she told me I had "good veins," and then blood squirted onto my hand, the sheets and the floor. Oh well… My family was then allowed in the room and we chatted till the anesthesiologist showed up. I told him that I become violently ill with general anesthesia. After he left, my doc checked in on me and made sure I was comfortable. At that point, it was 7:30, and the nurse began the sedation. I was out like a light.

The next thing I remember is trying to wake up in the recovery room. I remember the nurse kept telling me to take deep breaths, but she ended up putting me on oxygen. The nurse also called someone to tell them that my blood pressure continued to be too low. I was out of it until about 1:30 pm. My doctor visited me and I told her I was exhausted. She said she would come back later. Then, the nausea set in. The nurse tried to get me to drink or eat something. I tried and promptly vomited. She escorted me to the bathroom, but I couldn’t go. An hour past and the anesthesiologist visited me. I complained about the nausea and he ordered Zofran. It didn’t work. Around 3:30 pm, the nurse gave me Sierra Mist and told me to sip it slowly. She called it the OTC anti-nausea medicine. It worked, and around 4:30 pm, I was not vomiting. I was also able to go to the bathroom.

At 7 pm, my doctor visited me and she said I was free to spend the night in the hospital, but said that the staff would be in bothering me all night. I was so exhausted that I opted to go home. I was discharged and my family brought me home at 10:30 pm. I slept until 10:30 am the next day.

On Saturday (1st day post op), I felt exhausted, but the nausea had passed and I was mobile. On Sunday, I walked around every few hours, but still slept a lot. Today (Monday), I began by walking ½ mile on the treadmill. I was exhausted after that and slept. This evening I was able to walk 1.25 miles on the treadmill and feel okay. My belly is still swollen, but I have had no issues with gas or having bms. I am taking a stool softener and am eating lightly.

So far, my main complaint is the tiredness. The pain level is tolerable and although my belly is swollen, my yoga pants are comfortable.

I hope this information helps. I have no experience with any other types of hysterectomies, but friends have told me that I am recovering very quickly.