10 weeks post op - My daVinci Total Hysterectomy

First, let me start by saying that although I feel the da Vinci procedure can be absolutely AMAZING, ultimately, it is the skill level and success rate of the SURGEON and others on the surgical team that can make all the difference!

That being said, I was very lucky to not only have medical coverage and access to the da Vinci surgery, but I also was super lucky to have a very highly skilled da Vinci specialist, with years of successful da Vinci surgeries, and I also had great confidence in his ability to use this amazing piece of technology.

I recommend, that you do thorough research up front, even if you have to travel away from home to find an accomplished da Vinci surgeon with MANY hours and procedures done on the da Vinci to become an expert using this wonderful instrument!

My surgeon also did a great job of addressing the very real fears and concerns faced when making a serious healthcare decision like a hysterectomy, we also discussed:

What is the da Vinci procedure and is it the best surgical option for me?


I would also urge you to discuss:

• Best options for anaesthesiology for YOU
• The safety and success records of the Dr. and the facility
• Who will be on your surgical team.
• Who will be your anaesthesiologist - If you can, talk to this person about your concerns and health issues- for me this was a history of irregular heart beat and acid reflux.
• Ask the surgeon to explain why the da Vinci offers the BEST visualization and instrumentation for the surgeon as well as:
• Faster healing
• Less bleeding
• Less pain (without a large abdominal incision)

My surgery was fairly simple, and VERY successful with absolutely NO complications.
I felt well enough to go back to work at 6 weeks.

I know others have gone back much sooner, but like many women I know, I came to this decision late in life (56) and after years of debilitating pain, bleeding, and other awful symptoms. By the time I had my surgery, I was run down mentally and physically, and anemic to boot, so I do feel that your age, overall health, and "Pre-op condition" will have a huge effect on how quickly you will heal.

I can only think of ONE downside of da Vinci -- and you might find it to be one.

No one warned me just how GOOD I would feel on day one and two... and that it's kind of a false feel good-honeymoon period -- by day 3 I was feeling the normal discomforts of major surgery, although not as severe as with an abdominal incision... With abdominal surgery you CANNOT be up and running, so you are forced to "be still" from the start, rest more, and heal.

I felt so good on day one and two that I over did it big time! Never even took the pain Rx I was sent home with - just took Advil. On morning of day 2 I went shopping with hubby and walked all over Sam's and mall - and we went out to eat later after several hours of shopping and walking. By that night I started bleeding and having pain. I called the nurse and she advised me to go to bed for a day or two - complete REST, go back on the pain Rx and call back if bleeding continued. Of course once I rested, by the next day it had stopped.

I think I may have set myself back a few days by doing too much, too soon - so at first when you feel GREAT...
Please REST REST REST and REST some more!
A little light walking for short spurts is okay, just don't be on your feet for hours on end.

The support of HysterSisters, the da Vinci option, and my amazing surgeon (and team) all made my hysterectomy experience as pleasant as any major surgery could possibly be AND one of the BEST decisions I have ever made!