looking for sage advice from you sisters

Hi..I'm cooper-50 years old, no kids with an evil, evil uterus. However, after reading some of your stories, I think I may be the lucky one. I really am not in any pain, but have 3 huge fibroids, with a uterus up to my chin, plus an elevated Ca-125 test.
I did see a 2nd dr. yesterday and went ahead and scheduled the surgery for May. I'm attending school as well as working, so this will just have to wait.
I have honestly, never ever been in the hospital! I was hoping I could make it to 100 without ever touching foot in the castle.
What kind of things do you sage sisters take for granted that I won't know about. All this talk about gas and painful BM's have me 'puckering' if you know what I mean! Am I going to have to shave Wynona? Do stitches itch? Will I have to poop while in the hospital in a bed pan? Yikes! I always laugh and make toilet humor, it's the best! But not when you can't help it!
Enlighten me oh wise ones......

signed too crowded for comfort

Hi

Welcome to HysterSisters! There is tons of information, advice, support, and s when you need them.

Be sure to check out the PreOp Hints and Articles (click here) PostOp Articles (click here) and Princess Stories (click here) for information and answers to help you get ready for surgery and what to expect after surgery. There is also an awesome resource link directory you can get to by clicking here or click Resources at the top of each page.

	Quote:
Am I going to have to shave Wynona? Do stitches itch? Will I have to poop while in the hospital in a bed pan?

Do you know which procedure you are having? Sometimes there is some shaving, sometimes not. But don't do it yourself unless you are told specifically to. Stitches aren't used on the external incision very often, usually now it is staples for a few days, then they are removed and steri strips are applied. Some DR's use a kind of "super glue" instead of the staples. The incision site is usually numb for a while, but yes, there is itching while it's healing. And no, you won't have to use a bedpan. They will have you up within 24 hours at the most after surgery.

Also please be sure to read the info New Here? which can also be accessed from the top of every screen, for important information to help you get the most out of this site.

Read and research as much as possible to help you, in conjunction with your DR, make the best decisions for you.

Best wishes!

nope no worries of a bedpan, and did not have a BM in the hospital was just told if i did not have ne in 3 days to call, i ate some italion food and had no troubles there! my stomach is itching like crazy today, i had a LAVH so i do not have big incisions, i had surgery monday, it has not been that bad really, iam tired alot, but up and moving around regular. i think the worse part was after surgery my husband took me for a walk that night and when i would bear down on my left foot my right shoulder throbbed. my doctor said that was normal, sometimes the gas they fil your tummy with setteles in the shoulder....it would last 24-72 hours. it really only lasted that night. i took a shower wednesday and had pain in the left shoulder for a few minutes after, but that one was not tramatic like after surgery. as i was alking down the hall after surgery i kept telling my husband m stomach was just cut open in several spots and i have pain in the shoulder? i thought somehting was wrong....lol. it was not bad, i feel great and i am not even a week post op yet. be ready to tak lots of naps during the day, i get tired so fast! luckily my husband is home with the kids! I di dnot have to shave either, i do have an incision along the hairline with steri strip over it, but they are suposed to fall off anyway you are not supposed to assist them so there should be no pain!

Hi Marylou,
I'm scheduled for a TAH, leaving the decision on my ovaries up to
my Dr. since they both have cysts on them according to the CT scan. The Dr. has already informed me he'll do the incision up and down vs laterally. He said if it turns out that I do have any stage of cancer, he wants to be able to maneuver. Since I'm not planning on entering the Mrs. Universe contest this fall, I'm OK with it. I am going for my pre-op on Monday the 19th and just didn't know what to ask since I've never had surgery before. Sounds stupid, but do I bring my own nightgown? I'm probably letting fear get the better of me. Actually, I'm a tough ol' bird with a pretty high pain tolerance, so I'm expecting to do fine.


lady in waiting

I have an aunt who never went to the hospital until she was 62!

Ah well...as one who is grateful for modern medicine...
Bowel prep: My doc had me take phos-soda and Reglan starting TWO DAYS before my TAH/BSO. And clear fluids (bullion, jello). It was a hassle, but did not have problems w/gas, bloating after.

No stiches, just staples. No big deal. Did not hurt, did itch a little. Had them removed at 5 days. Did not hurt to have them removed, either. Then you just get strips and they just fall off when they're ready.

No baths, just showers!! My doc said none for 4 weeks, until incision more healed.

Had BM about 5 days after surgery (geez, did my tummy gurgle like a rumbling volcano before...it was kind of funny). Very pleased to announce to those around me. "I finally had a BM !!"- cheers abound.

No pooping in the hospital. Nothing to poop out! They do get you up that night (usually) to make you sit in a chair for awhile. Then the next day, make you walk.

Got my most comfy jogging pants, t-shirt or sweatshirt and comfy (non-slip) shoes. Also took favorite powder, lotion that I like in my little carry-in bag.

Last, but not least...be VERY patient with yourself! Don't lift, push, pull (I didn't for about 3-4 weeks) but was able to drive (briefly) after 2 weeks. You might want to wait about 3-4 wks, if you can. Have books to read, movies to watch. You will want to do ALOT of sleeping! Don't worry about housework, it'll be there anyways. If you can have help for at least 2 weeks, great! (at least one week!) If you do too much, too soon, you could get a hernia and need more surgery (know someone that happened to!)

But at least WALK, MOVE. (My bro is a nurse and he said people are so afraid to MOVE after surgery- - - Well, YEA!) You gotta do it, and walk as straight up as you can...no hunching over, clutching your belly.

Speaking of bellies, make sure you get a 'binder' while you're in the hospital to wrap around your belly. It a wrap that velcros over itself, so you can adjust it! It helped ALOT. Held me in! (I wore it for at least 3-4 wks)

AND...at 4 weeks you'll start taking the turn where things get easier and you can do more, a little quicker... The being patient/tolerant of yourself was hardest for me...but I learned quickly and it's the best thing for healing.

I'm done now. Good luck!

TAH/BSO Dec '03 (found adeno, cysts) for pain/bloating, low back pain

Hi Cooper - I had many of the same concerns as you. I was worried about the pre-surgical shave -it wasn't done. I was worried about pooping in a bedpan - I didn't go for three days because I hadn't eaten much. They get you up and out of bed pretty quickly, so by the time you are ready to go it will be in the toilet at the castle or at home. I took my own night clothes but was more comfortable in the hospital gown because I had a catheter. I have dissolving stitches, no staples to be removed. I'm 45 and it was my first visit to the hospital - none of my worst fears about the hospital experience happened. I had my surgery because of big fibroids - not as big as yours. I can't believe how nice it feels to have some room in my abdomen again. You'll do great - don't hesitate to ask your doctor or his nurse any questions you may have on your mind.

Hi Cooper,

If you go to the Pre Op Hints and Articles (it's on the home page, and I included the link in my previous post) there is a list of questions to ask at your pre op apt. It is quite extensive, and it may also help you think of something else you want to ask.

Since you're having a vertical incision, you may find it important not to wear anything with a waist band for a while, because it can be painful on the incision.

Best wishes!