I'm scared to death! Need lots of support!

Hi, i just found this site and i'm so glad that I did. I actually am really scared. I have heard so many horror stories. And i only have one close friend who has had this done but she had it done vaginally and i'm to have it done abdominally. So i'm sure her experience will greatly differ from mine.
One question that i haven't asked my doctor yet, is that i had a c-section when i had my daughter. Do you think he will make an incision in the same place? It was not an emergency so it was the bikini cut.
I'm having this done because i have fybroids and my uterus is enlarged, which is the reason i can't have it done vaginally.

Lisa Kay

(((((Lisa Kay))))))

Hi & welcome to hystersisters. It is very normal to be nervous about having surgery. You have come to the right place for support.

I had two c-section and was able to have a LAVH, so I'm sure it's because of the size of the fibroid that you have to have yours abdominally. Lots of times, the Dr can cut through a previous incision. It just depends on different things such as location of the fibroid. You may want to ask your Dr if s/he will be able to use the same site for your incision.

s,
Pam

I had a TAH on the 9th. Not sure about the c-section question as I delivered all my children vaginally, but I'm not finding this surgery to be that bad. It's been easy for me to move around. Have to be careful to use arm and leg power more than stomach power. Sneezing, coughing, and blowing my nose is something to learn to do delicately. That's why you hear so much about a tummy pillow. I was in the hospital 3-1/2 days. The day after surgery it was hard to move (missed my mom's phone call), but once the catheter was out and I had more solid food along with having a shower, I improved rapidly. Hardly needed pain meds, only took them because I knew I was going to shower or go for a walk down the halls with DH and wanted to feel the best that I could. The gas pains can be something to deal with, although not everyone gets them. Listen to the advice of the who have been gone before you. Rest, drink lots of water, feet up with ocasional little walks and you'll be fine. The waiting is truely the hardest part as I have heard so many times on this site. Waiting for surgery and all the doubts we have. Then waiting for our bodies t heal properly. It's not the easiest thing to do but we all get through it in the end and hopefully the ugly situation that brought us here will be over for good. Good luck to you.

Welcome to Hyster Sisters!!

It's very normal to be afraid of this surgery. Probably everyone here has had the same feelings at one time or another. The best way to overcome the fear is to read and learn as much as you can so that you will be prepared and know what to expect.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out the drop-down menus on the main homepage. (Click the Princess logo at the top of this page to access the homepage.) There's a wealth of information here for you.

Feel free to post any questions or concerns you may have. We're here for you whenever you need us. And just remember, the waiting is the hardest part.

Best wishes and lots of s,

Lisa

I had 2 bikini cut c-sections and assumed it would be the same cut, but I came out with a 10 inch vertical! Be sure and ask your doc so you won't be surprised if it is vertical. Hope all goes well, keep us posted. Susan

Welcome Lisa Kay and fellow Kentuckian!

I had two c-sections with the bikini cut and had the hyst over the same incision. I also had a tummy tuck at the same time so my incision is over the other one, but hip to hip. Unless s/he is forced to go vertical it should be over the very same incision.

Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help any other way. Where do you live? We're all scared, truth be told. Just on different levels.

Blessings,
TC

Hi Lisa Kay

I never had children (thus no c-section) but did have an abdominal myomectomy with bikini cut. For the TAH my doctor, who also performed the myo, went in through the same place so I only have one scar. It's healed so nicely that it's barely visible!

I'm sorry you've heard so many horror stories so let me tell you that my recovery was a piece of cake. Please keep in mind this is not medical fact but just my experience. I had no post-op pain whatsoever. None. It didn't hurt to laugh, sneeze, cough, walk, etc. I realize this is rare and most women don't have the same type of recovery but I want you to know that not every hyst turns into a horror story.

Again, this is just my experience. I hope this helps alleviate some of your fears.

Hi Lisa Jay!

I also had a TAH/BSO with general anesthesia, but no c-section so I can't compare that.

My recovery was pretty easy, I didn't have any gas pains (I was lucky!) and the worst pain I had, even in the first few days post op was never more than a 3 on a 10 scale. Menstrual cramps were way worse. I was a couch potato for the first couple of weeks, then each day felt better and better and was able to be up and about more and more. But I still needed a nap in the afternoon even after 6 weeks.

I'll be celebrating my 1 year hysterversary in a couple of weeks, and I can honestly say I haven't felt this good in years!

Best wishes!

No horror stories here either. I have had a good recovery so far and like everyone else said, the waiting was the worst part. One thing I did learn was that one should not forget if they had a previuous bad experience with a particular pain killer. I didn't think to mention to my doctors and anesthesiologist that morphine had me extemely nauseous in the past. I was so ill from it that I had to have anti-nausea meds and switch to demerol. If you have any memory of any problems with pain meds, don't forget to tell them! Good luck.

I was also scared to death before my surgery. I had a feeling that something terrible was going to happen. I read all the information that I could find. I found this site just one day before my date. I wish I had found it sooner.
Anyway, my recovery has been a piece of cake. I have had only minor pain. Infact it has been hard to keep me down. I am trying to take it easy because I don't want any long term problems.