LAVH/BSO Recovery

Hi Everyone,
I am 2 weeks post-op today. (LAVH/BSO...actually a LSO since I already had my right ovary removed ten years ago during an emergency laporatomy after an endometrial cysts ruptured...for endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, cysts). I had my surgery 1 day after my 44th birthday.

The surgery went well and I wasn't even in the hospital for two full days. I stayed at my parents for the first ten day after the operation since I live alone and needed some assistance. But I've been home alone now since Monday and am doing great. I'm really amazed at how much easier laparscopic surgery is to deal with than the full abdominal incision type I had ten years ago.

I'm not in any real pain for the most part other than last Sat. night when I would have sworn,had I not just had my remaining ovary, uterus and cervix taken out, that I was having an endometriosis attack...you now...the doubled over on the floor, not sure if you're going to puke go to the bathroom or pass out, kind of pain....think it was something I ate or gas but after I did finally go to the bathroom (sorry to be so graphic) and took a percocet I was ok... wiped out the next day but ok now.

So I guess you're wondering about my question, huh? I was wanting to know what is realistic in terms of recovery and resuming activity for some one whose had a LAVH vs TAH. I've noticed the majority of women here have had the latter procedure. Having been through abdominal I know that the recovering from that incision is a haul.

I am going for my post op apt. this morning but my doctor is pretty lenient so I suspect other than having sex he will say I'm fine to do anything that feels ok. I was interested in hearing from those of you who've had a LAVH and to know how you are coming along with your recovery.

Good luck with all our recoveries
Be Well, Donna

Since the main difference in the TAH and LAVH is the incision, the same time frame is involved in the healing process. The internal work is the same. The consequences for overdoing can be the same, too. (except of course as it relates to the incision.) You should exercise the same caution as you would with a TAH and expect to have an initial recovery time of 6-8 weeks.

I took alot of what to do ( and not do) during recovery from this website. Drs do not seem to want to deal with all the details. Get the info you can from him , though, and follow the restrictions he gives you. I trusted those at this website on the details quite a bit because they have had the experience and could share that with me.

A friend also said, "Do half of what you feel like doing" and that has been very good advice. I have had a smooth and uneventful recovery, free from avoidable problems and overdoing. Listen to your body and use care. My body doesn't speak up immediately, so I have to guess alot. So far, so good. I am back to my old routine and doing fine.

I agree with everything ShirlO has said. While the outside incisions are smaller there is still alot of intrnal healing taking place. A hysterectomy is a major surgery for all. I had a LAVH (uterus and cervix removed, kept both ovaries). My initial recovery was 6 weeks. No lifting, no housework, no sex, no tub baths. I could drive after 4 weeks (I have a manual transmission -with an automatic it would have been about 2 weeks). When i was cleared by mu doctor to resume activities I approaced everything cautiously and slowly. I am now 4 months post-op and feeling great. I still get the swelly belly and tired if I have had a very active day - my doctor said this is all normal. Hope your check with your doctor goes well. Take care.

I am 4 weeks post-op (5/15/02) for a LAVH/BSO, precancerous. I had a 6.1 cm fibroid tumor that was removed 4/23/02 during a hysteroscopy. I was back to work after one day of rest after surgery, then. Now for the LAVH/BSO I have been back to work 4 hour days @ 3-1/2 weeks and will go back full time at 4-1/2 weeks. I am age 50, and very, very active. Difficult for me to even sit and rest.
At my 2 week followup, Doctor furnished pictures of the surgery from inside so I could see the incisions and that was an eye-opener to be sure.
The main "problems" I experience are:
sleeplessness, foggy head, and not being to exercize yet. I sleep for 3-4 hours, awaken and for the life of me, cannot return to sleep. I am on HRT, the patch, which was applied immediately after the surgery. So then after tossing and turning for 2-3 hours I drift back to sleep for another 3 hours. Thanks to the advice of this sight I know this is "Normal" and will resolve itself.

Since leaving the castle, I have my crown and wand in the living room. We should all pamper ourself.

Remember, You cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought.

Donna:
I am interested in hearing back from you and what your doctor said at your postop about activities.

I had LAVH/BSO 2 weeks ago yesterday and went for my 2 week postop check yesterday. My doctor basically gave me NO restrictions (other than no sex until 8 weeks)---he said I could do anything that feels "comfortable" (Whatever THAT means!). I asked him about bending and causing problems with internal stitches. He said "you can bend---you don't have that many internal stitiches--only on the vaginal cuff, and they won't tear." He is an excellent surgeon and got me thru a rather difficult surgery, but his cavalier attitude yesterday was kind of perturbing to me. His nurse, however, called me a few times over the last few weeks to see how I am doing, and stressed resting a lot and that I would tire easily for up to 6 weeks.

My recovery has gone extremely well mainly because of all the information I've gotten from this site. I have followed all the "rules" here to the letter for the last two weeks, walking, resting, drinking, resting and drinking some more. I am feeling stronger everyday and am going to drive today (automatic)--just a few short errands here close to home.

Thank goodness for this site---without it I would not have known half of the "do's and dont's" and doubt my recovery would be going this well.

Shelley

You all are great. Thanks so much for your responses!
Maxi, I can't believe you went back to work a day after having that big old fibroid removed. WOW!

Well, we all seem to be in agreement about getting more information here than from our doctors as to post surgery concerns.

Shelley, my dr. said pretty much what yours did at my post-op apt...do anything except sex and stairmaster. I've been having uncomfortable internal temperture fluctuations...not sure I would call them hot flashes...and my sleep has been a little screwy ...keep waking up at 3:30 so he started me on hormones (estratest). How about you? have you started HRT?

I am going to try to walk at least a mile a day...I was going to go for a walk before but decided to respond here first (any excuse). I even bought a pedometer. I drove myself to my apt. yesterday...about 22 miles round trip. No problem. I even stopped at the ASPCA, where I volunteer, to socialize with the cats and dogs a little. Was tired last night for sure but felt good.

Of course I think it's important to take it easy and get alot of rest but I also think it's neccessary to increase my activity gradually so that going back to work 8 hours a day won't be so overwhelming. I told work I'd be out until July 10th (6 weeks) but I think I might go back part time at 5 weeks. I'm going to have to play it by ear.

I'm sore and achy at times and definetly tire easily and I walk like a snail but, all in all, so far I am very pleased with how things are going.

Please keep me posted as to your progress. I hope everything goes smoothly.

Donna

Donna--
Yes, my Dr. started me on HRT when I went for post-op the other day. I am taking Estrace 1 mg.

I agree with you in gradually increasing activity level. I am going to try an outdoor walk today over at the park near my home. I think part of the weak and tired feeling comes from the inactivity---I already notice a difference in my leg muscles from not being used like they normally are.

Hope you continue to do well. Let's keep in touch with our recovery progress!

Shelley

Thank you all, this was good for me to take in. I am 11 day's post op, LAVH, LSO, cervix and upper part of vagina removed.
I have been walking outside since day 3, I mean really walk, for up to 45 minutes.It is the best thing I can do for myself to shake aches and pains and also to feel more balanced emotionally. My Dr told me when I left the hospital two day's after surgery, that I should stay in bed for at least 2 day's!!!
I started driving my big old Range Rover, automatic after 1 week. Maybe I am overdoing it, he? I am not shure, the long walks reassure me that I am alive and still connected to the earth. dh drives us to the forrest or to the beach, somewhere beautiful, nourishing. My horses are a different story, I keep myself away from them, difficult as that is when they come galloping up the hill to great me.
I hope we all continue to heal well..

Wow Nat...I want to come live with you...forrests, beaches and horses...sounds lovely! I think if you feel okay doing all those activities then it's okay.

I have another question for you all. It's pretty specific so I promise not to ramble on for too long.

Can you feel the stitches... or maybe it's not the stitches per say... but can you feel some sensation where the vaginal cuff was made? I find I'm aware of this and all though it's not painful it is a little irritating and uncomfortable. I'm also experiencing this feeling vaginally like there's something inside me (there's not...dr. checked). I'm sure this will all go away. Any idea when? Did any of you have to have stubborn stitches, that wouldn't dissolve, taken out?

Shelly, how are you feeling on the estrace? Notice any difference from how you were feeling before?

I'm not experiencing as many hot flashes now that I'm on the estratest but I think my mood isn't as good. That might not be from the estratest though...who knows. I had read that irritability could be a side effect. I think it's probably not such a good idea to read about all these side effects (lol).

Thanks for all your support.

Donna

Hi Donna--

So far so good for me on the Estrace. Last night was the first night I didn't wake up with night sweats, so I think it's kicking in.
I wonder if your irritability could be related to the testosterone that is in Estratest? Give it a few weeks and if you don't feel better, maybe you should ask your doc about it?

I have had a "funny feeling" around my vaginal cuff area too. It's hard to describe, but kind of a swollen, achey feeling. I'm sure it's from the stitches that are absorbing and healing tissue.

Yesterday morning DH and I got up early and went to some garage sales. Came home and took a two hour nap afterwards---then we went down to Denver and did some shopping---came home and took another 2 hour nap! I think I am finally catching up on sleep. Post surgery insomnia seems to be letting up. I'm feeling really good!

I'm with you---let's go and live with Nat 38--sounds wonderful--forest AND ocean! I do have forest where I live--(which has been burning up here in Colorado). The best of both worlds for me has always been forest and ocean.

Have a wonderful day, and here's to continued good health and recovery

Shelley