After learning that I would need a hysterectomy, I found this site and decided that post-op I would add my experience, as others' experiences have helped me greatly.
At 38, I have had 4 live births, and a tubal ligation. My periods were always on the heavier side, but tended to change after each birth. Following my tubal 7 years ago, they've been manageable with flow, but the cramping has gotten worse, to the point that it resembled early-labor and I finally decided to suck it up and see a specialist. After BC pills,ultrasonography, and rounds of pain meds, I was ready to consider an ablation, but my OB/GYN took the decision away from me when he urged me to consider a hysterectomy. He said he suspected I had adenomyosis and that the uterus had to go. I was somewhat relieved. Here is a detailed log of my experience, and please keep in mind, we all experience things differently, and have varying pain thresholds. After 4 births, (2 natural w/o pain relief), I was expecting this to be minimal discomfort. After all, I'm a tough chick!
THE NIGHT BEFORE: Oh, the enema. I was scared. Never had I done this before, and I didn't know what to expect. It's not that terrifying, really. But plan on spending an hour start to finish.
THE DAY OF SURGERY: Accompanied by my mother and 19 year old daughter, I arrived at 5:45 for my planned 7:30 big event. IV was started, and apparently I am allergic to the cocktail given to relax me- either the Versed, Anti-Nausea or whatever else was in there. Burning in the IV and up my arm. Fingers were numb. Thought maybe the IV had infiltrated into the tissues, but nope- pretty soon my whole arm was red and irritated. No biggie- IV site was changed. Anesthesiologist came back. Was so very excited to hear that a tube was going down my throat, but whatever. I would be 'out', so I didn't care. OB/GYN came over. Confirmed that he was taking my uterus and off we went.
>>>>>fast forward to waking up in Recovery. Please keep in mind, I believe in mind over matter and I have had some pain in my day, but I did not expect this. I cried. No vaginal pain, persay, but the abdominal discomfort was overwhelming. Started me on Morphine, which I'd never had before and I was a little intimidated by, but it was fine. Was taken to my room where my mother and daughter awaited me. After getting situated and the nurse and her students left, I let myself cry.
That day was spent on Morphine, sleeping and sipping water. It got better as I let myself nap and be taken care of.
THE DAY AFTER: I remember waking up that night before in pretty bad pain as my IV bag ran dry. After a call to the nurse and a quick switch-eroo, I was doing okay again. Pain eventually waxed and waned from a 7 to a 3, back and forth that first day of recovery. Catheter was taken out and I went home on Oxycodone 5mg around noon. The ride home was not pleasant as I felt every bump on the road. That evening, I was very uncomfortable. My poor husband. He helped coax me into every imaginable position but nothing worked. At the time I thought either something was WRONG, or this was gas already. Interestingly, I glanced at my discharge papers at some point that first day and saw the note for Anterior and Posterior wall repair. Hmmm...this was a first to me. Turns out he took my cervix, uterus and repaired both A&P walls. I'm still just 5 days out and have yet to have my post-appointment with him so I'm not sure if the adenomyosis had to do with that, or if I had prolapse of some sort.
DAY THREE: General discomfort. That first passing of gas is amazing. (HAHA). Spent this day lazing about, no vaginal pain, slight abdominal discomfort. Mostly gassy. I walk like a hunched over old lady.
DAY FOUR: Same as previous day. More gas. No real urge to take a BM, either. Was a little more active than I should have been around the house and am paying for it. Tired.
DAY FIVE: Feels like Braxton Hicks today. More passing of gas. Been taking my Gas-X and Stool softener since DAY ONE, and I am thinking today could be the first poop. Exciting stuff, right? Have some back pain. Don't know if thats in preparation of the BM that I hope to have today (sorry-gross), but still and never have I had any vaginal pain. Bleeding has been minimal thus far. Mainly the gas pain in conjunction with the abdominal pain has slowed me down.
We're going be alright, ladies. I hope this wasn't too long and drawn out but I remember wanting to read every detail before it happened to me, and wanted to share my own experience. Good luck and God Bless!
Hysterectomy with A/P repair; my detailed diary (procedure unknown)
