LSH Post Op Practical matters (6/7/12)

I wanted to post my experience, being as practical as I can to help those of you who will be going through this experience.

I had a laproscopic Supracervical hysterectomy on a Thursday morning.(7:30) No problems going into surgery and was so astonished to find myself waking up, having finished my procedure. My doctor does not allow his patients to stay overnight so I knew I was going home that day. I had to pee before that but was too groggy from the anesthesia to get up. The foley was so uncomfortable that I knew I wanted to get that out as soon as possible and pee myself. Would have been able to go home sooner but the pain from the CO2 that they inject into your abdominal was so painful near my neck and back that I couldn't until more pain meds were given. Finally able to pee and go home about 9:00 that night. No nausea because I had the "sea sick patch" put on the night before. Since this was my first (and hopefully only) surgery, I don't know how I would have reacted to the anesthesia but if my sister is any indicator, I would have been nauseous and throwing up, too. Get the patch!

My doctor prescribed vicodin, ibuprofen and a device called the Comfort TENS. They are electrodes that they put on your abdomen which pulses electricity to aid in pain management. Pain was tolerable as I took my medications and had the TENS unit on. (I kept track of my medications on my iPhone calendar and any other symptoms I might have.)

What I thought would take one week took two weeks of recovery time. My suggestions are:
1. Have all medications (non-prescription ones, too) at home. I ended up needing TUMS, Tylenol PM and Gas X. The medication really does a number on your stomach, even if taken with food. Was not hungry to eat more that a couple of crackers. Tylenol PM for the night I had a fever (but not over 101.5, which I would have to go to emergency for) and back pain from lying down so much. Gas X because the gas is probably more painful than the actual incisions (6) or inside cauterized areas.
2. Watched Netflix and read.
3. When you start to feel better, be careful! I thought I was fine and watched a comedian's show. Injured myself and was back to square one. Just from laughing too much!
4. If your doctor gives you the TENS unit, have extra 9V batteries. They last for maybe two days. Keep it on as long as you can. When you take a shower or need to reapply, start at zero and slowly move up. My doctor, in the hospital, just cranked it up and WOW, I did yell out in pain. Just slowly moving up is fine. By using the TENS unit, I did not have to use any painkillers after a couple of days.
5. Discharge smells! No discharge for the first couple of days. It's like a very light period flow. Doctor said it will smell for about six weeks. Yuck!

So many women say they were fine after a couple of days. I wasn't. I planned on taking one week off 7 business days from work but ended up needing 12. Do I regret doing it? Not sure yet but lost 10 pounds! No more bulging tummy from the huge fibroid. No more heavy, heavy periods!

Just wanted to share some practical tips for those of you researching the procedure!

Linda