Upcoming TAH with BSO

Hi! I'm so nervous. My surgery is scheduled for 8/21. Although I've had 2 c sections and one other minor surgery I've never been intubated or put under for a long period of time. I'm terrified of waking up intubated. I'm only 35 and losing both ovaries has me more than a little anxious. I was done having kids so I'm ok with that but I'm not ok with all the other side effects that come from no estrogen! I'm also a nurse practitioner and one would think that may help me but it's the complete opposite! I know entirely too much medical stuff and if have completely freaked myself out! Plus my surgery will be performed in Atlanta which is 3 hours away! Can you imagine the car ride home? We traveled to Atlanta last week and I made note of all the bumps on I 75... There are a ton lol. I've enjoyed this site as I don't know anyone in my boat. It's comforting to read the stories!

Everyone's got their own fears. I'd been under before for day surgeries and procedures, but I hadn't stayed overnight in a hospital since I was an infant. I was more worried about the hospital stay than the surgery!

I had a three-day hospital stay and then rode home two hours in a friend's pick-up truck, mostly on the highway. That was no problem at all. But if you think you *might* have problems, see if there's a motel or something about halfway. If you get as far as the motel and you're in pain, you have the option of staying there overnight before continuing on. Or even if you don't stay overnight, stopping somewhere for a rest break about half way through the trip might be useful.

Good luck!

I had about a 20 min ride home from my TAH in June (6" vertical incision) and honestly the ride home was a lot more painful than I anticipated. I agree with previous post, either find a place to stay for the night that is close to the hospital or take frequent breaks. Also recommend pain medication just before you get into the car, maybe you can sleep through part of the drive. Don't forget to pack a pillow to protect your belly from the seat belt and extra pillows you can lean against. Good luck!

Thanks y'all!

Oh, another thought - I was already off narcotic pain meds by the time I was released from the hospital. Because I get motion sick really easily, I did what I would do for *any* automobile trip longer than half an hour: I took a Gravol (Dramamine, dimenhydrinate) an hour before we hit the road. Besides being an antinausea drug, Gravol has a sedative effect. This probably helped me with the trip.

Note: do *not* mix Gravol with narcotics without checking with your doc first. And if you're already getting a buzz from the narcotics, you may not need the Gravol at all.

Definitely get some kind of flat pillow to place between your belly and the seat belt. I didn't bring one with me to the hospital, my friend brought it from her home when she picked me up.

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Originally Posted by Gretao80 Hi! I'm so nervous. My surgery is scheduled for 8/21. Although I've had 2 c sections and one other minor surgery I've never been intubated or put under for a long period of time. I'm terrified of waking up intubated. I'm only 35 and losing both ovaries has me more than a little anxious. I was done having kids so I'm ok with that but I'm not ok with all the other side effects that come from no estrogen! I'm also a nurse practitioner and one would think that may help me but it's the complete opposite! I know entirely too much medical stuff and if have completely freaked myself out! Plus my surgery will be performed in Atlanta which is 3 hours away! Can you imagine the car ride home? We traveled to Atlanta last week and I made note of all the bumps on I 75... There are a ton lol. I've enjoyed this site as I don't know anyone in my boat. It's comforting to read the stories!

Hi! My surgery is scheduled the same day and I have lived in the south (I'm in CA now) but I can't imagine a 3 hour car ride after surgery! I would really just get a hotel room for the night at least before the drive home so that you can be more comfortable. I do know the Atlanta area and there are plenty around the downtown. I was so nervous in the beginning but over the past month I feel really at peace with this surgery because I need the relief from all the constant pain and EVERYONE has told me that it is the best thing they could have done! My prayers for you!

Gretao80, how much of a hospital stay are they quoting you? That will make a difference. My first day after surgery, I really didn't feel like getting out of bed, although I gamely gave it a go when the nurses suggested I might "like to" do a lap around the ward and sit in an armchair for awhile.

My second and third days were entirely different. I walked multiple laps around the ward on my own and spent the rest of my waking hours in the armchair reading.

I agree with Surprised. I went home after one night, and that car ride was not that fun. Doable, but definitely felt every bump in the road. The second day was much better. If you're staying in more than one night, you should feel ok in the car. As for the intubation, you will not even know it happened. You'll be out before they put it in and it will be gone before you wake up. Just a nice sore throat to remember it by. Wishing you all the best! Xx

I had a TAH and my ovaries were removed as well. The ride home was honestly brutal, get a small pillow and hold it to your stomach. That helped me a LOT. I like the idea of a motel halfway. Honestly you really might not be up to that long ride home.

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Originally Posted by SurprisedInNB Gretao80, how much of a hospital stay are they quoting you? That will make a difference. My first day after surgery, I really didn't feel like getting out of bed, although I gamely gave it a go when the nurses suggested I might "like to" do a lap around the ward and sit in an armchair for awhile. My second and third days were entirely different. I walked multiple laps around the ward on my own and spent the rest of my waking hours in the armchair reading.

2-4 days is what I was told. I'm hoping for 2 but I'm ok with whatever's best