Wiped out

I am 6 weeks post-op and still very tired if I do too much. I had TAH/BSO for fibroids and excessive bleeding. Also found was a right ovarian tumor, benign. After removal the doctor told me my uterus and left tube and ovary weighed in at 13 pounds.
At 4 weeks I was able to go back to work, but I elected to do half-days the first week and tried to do full days this week. Didn't work out, I came home after only 1/2 a day on Wednesday. I get so tired I can't think straight. How long does this tiredness last?
Today I had a blood test for anemia, as I was anemic post-op and had to receive 2 units of blood in the hospital before I could get out of bed. I passed out the first 2 attempts on the first post-op day. After the blood I was able to get up and shower and walk a little.
This is all new to me as I have never had any kind of surgery and I worked in a hospital for many years. Its really different being on the "other end" in the hospital situation. I had a reaction to the anesthetic, and was very nauseated for 2 days. I didn't eat for 4 days after. The doctor tried various meds for the nausea and finally it worked. I didn't think the pain was bad at all just the nausea. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Please be gentle with yourself. Everyone is different in terms of how long it takes for hte tiredness to pass. With past major surgeries, it's taken me about 3 months to turn the corner and get my energy back. My doctor told me it could take longer with this one because I was so sick beforehand and the surgery was so invasive. In fact, he said he didn't expect I'd really feel better until about month 6.

I know a lot of people head right back to work and, following some surgeries in my past, I've done that. I even tried to go back 2 weeks after surgery one time, but quickly realized I needed to go home to bed.

One of the best tips anyone ever gave me about post-surgery fatigue was this: regardless of how you are feeling, lay down for at least one hour each day during the first three months of your convalescence. Even if you don't sleep, just lie there and let your abdominal muscles relax. I got this tip from a nurse and it is amazing how this 1 hour rest period can rejuvenate you. It's made it possible for me to get back to work earlier than I think I otherwise would have been able to.

Most importantly, please listen to your body and, if you're tired, give yourself the time to rest. You deserve it!

hey Annette,

You were pretty brave to go back to work so early !! Can't blame you for feeling wiped out ... think you might have over done it a tad ?? I know I wasn't ready to go back to work that early. Thinking maybe you should take it easy; perhaps do those half days or less for another week or two?

Remember, we have to listen to our bodies -- and rest is definitely one of those signals!

Be a good

and take it easy !! Best wishes to you for a continued smooth and uneventful recovery!

Thank you all for replying to my letter. It really helps to hear other peoples ideas and opinions. I just finished reading the Hyster Sisters Book. I really loved it and I think all OB-Gyn offices should have to read it and recommend it to their pre-surgical patients. It really helped with many questions I had and still have being only 6 weeks post-op.
My best friend is a mid-wife in the office where my gynecologist is also practicing. I am going to give her this book and I suggested she share it with the other mid-wives and docs.
I am also having problems with sleep. I usually go right to sleep and don't wake up until the alarm goes off. But since my surgery I go right to sleep but awake around 2:30AM and can't go back to sleep for hours. By that time its time to get up.
My mid-wife friend says give it at least 3 months to get back to normal. Does anyone else hear this time factor also?