LSH: So many opinions

Hello Everyone

I am scheduled for a LSH on May 24. Unfortunately the women in my family all seem to have an opinion on what I will be feeling and how my recovery will be. Noting that my mom had a hysterectomy over 27 years ago (I think things are different now) and my sister never had one (but of course knows someone who had)

Back to me, they are telling me that after the third day I should be able to get around the house and care for myself. My doctor said that he does not recommend to much of anything for the first two weeks including going up and down the stairs of our house.

I would really love the hear from some of you who have experienced this first hand.

So glad I found this site and have people on my side to talk to.

I went through the same thing with my friends and family. I had a LAVH on April 21st. I spent two days in the hospital and then came home. My recovery room was our spare bedroom given the fact that our own bed was much to high for crawling in and out of. Given the pain meds and if you are consistent on taking them there should be little pain. Gas and constipation were the worst side effects for me. At three weeks post op I am starting to feel actual shooting pains but I'm sure that is just the normal healing process. I also navigated the stairs from day one without an issue. We have a two story house. You do need to take it easy. My husband stayed home for the first three days to help me. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Hi Ashtoy! Sorry to say this but I think your family is out to lunch....I`m glad you found this site too, and can come here for the support you maybe aren`t getting from your family.
Please listen to your doctors and your body first off, and next from the ladies here who will be in similar recovery stages with similar procedures. Even still, we all heal differently. Please do your best to let the rest slide off....your body will tell you what is right, your job is to listen and heed!!

And come here as often as you need to! Gentle hugs. Be good to yourself in the remaining time before surgery.

if caring for yourself means getting to and from the washroom and to the shower...(making sure someone is in the house incase you feel weak and need someoneno assist you,), and feeding yourself oh sure you can look after yourself.
one thing i have learned comming to this site..."EVERYONE HEALS AT THEIR OWN PACE"
there are going to be feeeling 'GREAT" in no time and others taking much longer,,,, you listen to your body...take your meds(stay ahead of the pain) drink lots ,eat what you can ,walk when you can.
hope all goes well and remember to set your own pace.
and come to this site often to share and learn from your sisters...

Family just complicates things! At least they did for me. I had an LSH and had an extremely easy time of it ... no narcotic pain meds after two days, walking for exercise outdoors after 4 days, cleared for work after 2 weeks, etc. But that's ME. And all of this done with my surgeon's approval.

My mother, in the meantime, who had had a TAH 15 years ago, called me every single day to scold me for doing too much, and for my husband not taking care of me (he went back to work after 3 days, because I just didn't need him to take care of me). She was angry that my doctor was "pushing" me too hard. She refused to get out of her own experience. Luckily, she is over 600 miles away -- just where I want her to be -- so I could ignore her except during her calls.

Bottom line: YOU are a unique situation. Others' experiences are helpful, but they are no guarantee of what you will experience. At the end of the day, it's all between you and your doctor.

Thank you everyone - I plan on riding with this out with the help of everyone here!

What a GREAT site.

I completely agree with "marssss". Everyone is different. I had my LSH (and gallbladder removed) on 5/3, I'm doing great! But not everyone is so lucky. Everyone heals differently, and ultimately, everyone's surgery is different too, even though we put these labels on them; LSH, etc. Day 6 was like turning a corner for me, I felt great, my energy was back in full force. I returned to work part time on day 8. Full time on day 9 (today). I have a desk job, and I'm better at work chained to my desk, than at home where I'm tempted to get up and start doing housework.
Best of luck to you, don't push yourself too much, but don't be surprised by feeling better than expected either.