Stupid Question

While I know the op's are different, can anyone whose had both a lap done and a LAVH or TLH done tell me how the pre-op requirements were different?? I am just curious, cause I hear all the nice fun pre-op things everyone is having to do, and I didn't have to really do anything except for fast prior to my lap in January, and my Hyst will either be LAHV or TLH (not sure, I didn't clarify at last appointment as I didn't know the difference). So I am just curious how the pre-op's would be different and why? Sorry if it sounds stupid, but I just got to wonderin', and now really want to know. Thanks for any input.

Shannon

Generally, a bowel prep would be ordered if your doctor thought that they might be doing any intestinal work -- which can be possible in those of us with endo. It's a good idea, in any event, to eat carefully right before surgery. My GYN-oncologist actually had me on clear liquids for 48 hours BEFORE the bowel prep. I had an allergic reaction to CT contrast that week, and wound up waiting an extra day on clear liquids (Mothers' day, at that! ). It's safer, IF any intestinal work is anticipated.

However, it's not a universal requirement, and your doctor probably has his or her own routine. They usually hand you a set of standard pre-op instructions, and the prep would be on there.

A laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy may well require a bowel prep, especially if there is any concern about endo behind the vagina. They will usually also require some sort of antiseptic douche (although this may be done at the hospital). A shave may also be part of your "prep," but you can ask the nurses at the hospital pre-op appointment about that.

Good luck! The bowel prep isn't fun, certainly -- but it sure beats sepsis because the bowel was punctured accidentally (something that happened to me in the course of emergency surgery to remove an ectopic pregnancy behind the uterus ). If you get out of it, great -- but if that is what your doctor requires, well, it's not the most fun, but you get through it...



Audrey