dVH/RALH: So NERVOUS - daVinci hysterectomy out of work 3-4 weeks and no traveling?

After months of pain, losing almost 20 pounds and just feeling like total crap, I finally scheduled my hysterectomy today for July 15th. I have suspected adenomyoisis and adhesions from previous c-section surgery that resulted in a severe infection that left me in the hospital for over a week. I was really stuck between a TAH along my c-section scar and dvH. My doc said he could do either way I felt most comfortable and that in fact the TAH was quicker and easier for him, but I could tell he recommended dvH so right now that's what I'm scheduled for. I was worried about the thought of taking uterus and cervix out through vagina since I couldnt get a child out that way but he said this is totally different. he is hoping not to take the ovaries but says he wont know until hes in there. i guess Im just being paranoid. I am 42 and have been seeing him since I was 22 so I certainly trust him. In fact, when I left this morning he said, "look Ive known you a long time- I'm having the surgical nurse call you this morning to get on the schedule. Im not waiting for you." might sound weird but I appreciate him taking charge.

He said with dvH to expect to be out of work 3-4 weeks and no traveling until then either but I could probably do some laptop work after 1-2 weeks in bed or for short periods of time. Does this sound correct? Im sending my teenage son to my parents house in FL for the first 5 days- dont want any stress or worrying about him.

sorry to ramble- just so nervous.

Those timeframes sounds pretty reasonable for a dvH. I had a TAH and returned to work at a part-time desk job at four weeks with restrictions on lifting.

I spent very little time in bed after the first day. Even the first day, the nurses in the hospital had me up to walk a lap around the ward and sit upright in an armchair for awhile. By the second day, I was walking multiple laps around the ward and sitting in the armchair reading the rest of the time.

I started going for short, frequent walks outside on my first full day home, four days after surgery. When I wasn't walking, I was usually sitting outside reading or sewing, or inside at my desktop computer. I took naps pretty regularly the first week, occasionally the second week, and I also turned in in the evenings earlier than I usually did, but during the day I was generally up and about.

Hi Tarcar! I understand you being nervous - I felt as if no one could be as nervous as I was. Tomorrow I will be 4 weeks post op and I can tell you what a relief it is for me. I too had tons of adhesions - didn't know I had them. I knew I had back problems but didn't realize it was caused by these things. Instant back pain relief which was a wonderful bonus. I too had adenomyosis which I did not know I had. After 7 years of heavy bleeding and large clots (cycles were 18 - 21 days long) I finally sought out a surgeon.

Please let me know if you had specific questions and I'd be happy to share any of my experiences that relate! You have some to the right place. I lived on the site for weeks leading up to my surgery!

I stayed that night in the hospital and slept most of the time. I was up and about the second day when I came home after a Dvh. I live in a motorhome so have steps to do. My sister and her husband brought their travel trailer here in case I needed them - which I did to watch my husband. That second day, I would nap then get up and go visit my sister for a while then come back and nap again. I am usually not a napper but the first couple weeks I allowed myself to.

I was driving by day 6. My doctor said as long as I was not on narcotics I could drive when I felt like it. I also spend a lot of time on my computer and it was no different just did not sit as long without getting up and stretching out.

I would agree with 4 weeks if not 6 before going back to work. You want to give yourself time to heal before going back to work. Most important is rest, walking, drinking lots of fluids, fiber, etc. If you have everything ready before you have surgery, that takes a lot of stress off of yourself. I had the bills paid, groceries for two weeks, laundry done up so I had a week before needing to do again.

You will have weight restrictions. The first 6 weeks is usually no more than the weight of a gallon of milk. That means no carrying the laundry, no vacuuming, or other activities that require lifting, pushing or pulling.

"" but I could probably do some laptop work after 1-2 weeks in bed or for short periods of time.""

sounds like he thinks you will be an invalid. If I had to stay away from my computer for 1 or 2 weeks, I would have gone nuts. Being I am a caregiver my computer is my connection to the outside world, plus games and kindle for reading.

We were all seriously nervous, you are not alone! I had a little focusing the first couple of days, but after that I was able to work from home at my computer. There will likely be no need to do it from bed! I was in bed only to sleep at night, otherwise I was sitting, walking around, etc. I went back to work at 3 weeks, but actually really felt good enough to go back at 2. Good luck!

My dvh was almost 4 months ago. It really wasn't that bad pain-wise or in any other way. I was off work for 4 weeks but was definitely up and around right away. I was able to take it very easy at home for the first week. After that I had some unexpected commotion with hubby coming down with a stomach bug and I became his caretaker for 4 days. (Nothing too serious but many trips up and down stairs checking in and offering food & drinks.). I was glad I was feeling good enough for that. There was unexpected surgery for him a week later--so fortunate for us that my recovery was going well, otherwise we would have had even bigger problems dealing with everything. So my reason for all the detail here is that I think you'll do fine, even early on. I doubt you'll be in bed much other than at night. It feels good to be dressed and up even if you're not doing a whole lot. You might even look at it as an excuse to catch up on your reading, movies, and naps.

Thanks so much everyone. I think he was trying to be overly cautious with me because I tried to jump back in way too early with my c-section and it caused a longer recovery period. I think it was his way of saying do nothing for at least a week....and even then take it easy. I'm hoping that I can actually get some sleep and want to be in bed after all this. Right now, the pain gets so much worse at night- sometimes it feels like my hips are being pulled apart. Sleep has not been a friend these last few months. So, so strange.

Thanks everyone for your support. Im sure by the time it comes Ill be ready to just get it over with!