Pre-Op Hysterectomy: Open House Chat Thread - Today Jan 27, 2019

Good morning, ladies! I'll be waiting for you on "The Other Side" in your Recovery Thread when it opens.

Looking back, I think the waiting was one of the more difficult things about this surgery with not knowing what to expect. It's perfectly understandable to be anxious and I daresay a little bit of freaking out is totally allowed !

This was my first surgery as an adult at age 54. Understand that there's a TEAM of specialists and medical professionals surrounding you in the OR and you are their #1 priority. Going under was way deeper than any sleep: no dreams, no sensations. When I finally came around in the recovery room, it felt like I'd only been out 5-10 minutes, although some pain (which not as bad as I thought it would be) let me know "Yep, I've had my surgery." My recovery was as textbook as my surgery, just had to learn what worked with pain management, keeping the digestive system going, swelly belly and the fatigue. Overall, unremarkable... as most of the hundreds of thousands done annually are.

Best thing to do until your surgery date is to keep busy. I continued working, working out, cleaning, decluttering, putting frequently used things in easy reach, and freezer meal prepping. Meal prepping was the most enjoyable, and more useful than the decluttering, since hospitality meals from friends, church and other groups eventually run out. If I had to add one more thing to the prep list, I'd make sure I had more expando-waist clothes, so yeah, I suggest a shopping spree - woo hoo! By the time the evening before came, my nerves were jumpy, but more with the anticipation of "Let's get this SHOW on the ROAD, people!" Morning of the surgery, the only thing that spooked me was my husband's driving .

I'll check in later on today, and there will be other Hostesses popping in with some great links to help you prepare.

Hello everyone , I will be having a davinci hysterectomy on Friday. I have had two surgeries for fibroids already but they keep coming back. I also have Polycystic Kidney disease and I'm worried about possible complications. My doctor first told me that he would be keeping my ovaries but he is not sure now. The doctor also told me that my uterus is 4 times the size so he is not sure if I will need a large incision to get it out. I think it is just the unknown that is driving me nuts.

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Originally Posted by BunnyBingo Hello everyone! I'm in the UK and have my TLH on Thursday. A bit like Gdunne, I'm also very nervous now. It's not knowing what's on the other side for me. I'm 23 and no children, whilst that doesn't bother me it's the snarky comments I've had from other people. My partner and I have recently got engaged so you can guess the questions we've had. So I've been a bit sick of it really. Otherwise good luck to everyone having their hyst this week and I hope everything goes well

BunnyBingo, firstly congratulations on your engagement! I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had to put up with comments like that and defend your decision. It’s your body and your life, you do what is right for you. It’s sounds like you have a wonderful, supportive partner to help you through.
The very best of luck with your surgery & recovery. Sending you lots of positive thoughts for Thursday. x

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Originally Posted by SunDevil78 Hi there from Atlanta, GA. Forgive me for not knowing all the abbreviations, etc. I am having a total hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries on Tuesday due to severe endometriosis that has caused recurrent bowel obstructions. I have had multiple endo excision surgeries and the last one in 2017 resulted in a perforated bowel and a subsequent hemicolectomy. I am terrified that something else will go wrong. I start my bowel prep today, which I am also very anxious about. I am 40, we have a six year old, but in the back of my mind, I had always hoped we would have one more. Good luck to you ladies having surgery this week!

Sundevil78, the very best of luck to you with your surgery. I’ll keep the fingers crossed that it goes really well. Hopefully this will be the end of pain & surgeries, and the beginning of a new chapter. Sending you lots of positive thoughts for Tuesday. x

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Originally Posted by leannelacovara Hello! I wish you all luck with your procedures! I am from cherry hill, nj. I am having a davinci hysterectomy on the 30th to remove a fast growing fibroid on the outside of my uterus. Hoping that it is a fast recovery. Keeping my ovaries. I am 51 and post menopausal. Anyone else have a davinci?

Hi! I'm in San Francisco. Also having davinci , removing my uterus and tubes and keeping the ovary I have. Wishing us all a fast recovery!

Hello My Sisters!
I live in Atlanta and I'm scheduled for my surgery on Tuesday. I'm nervous because this is the last straw for me. I've been dealing with severe pain during menstruation since the age of 12 or 13 and I'm now 43. This is entirely too long for anyone to endure pure misery mentally and physically.
I've had laproscopies, a DNC, and even talks of 1 more additional surgery, but this is it. I'm exhausted and ready to be done with it all. One
last lingering question is, will I keep my ovaries or not. If they are good, perhaps I will keep them because I'm not of menopause age plus there's a risk for colorectal cancer in my family. If I do keep them, there's a chance I will still have pain from the endometriosis which was initially the main problem. The major problem now is irregular bleeding that has been going on for at least 9 yrs. So, the bleeding will stop for sure after surgery but I may still have pain?? So my choice is no bleeding with pain, menopause with no pain but risk for cancer, osteoporosis, etc. This still sounds like madness to me. At this point I have to roll the dice and hope my ovaries are good based to the surgeon's opinion and pray for the best outcome once I wake up from this horrible nightmare.
There is a glimer of light at the end of this journey but I pray it shines brighter after Tuesday. I feel better that there are other sisters going through similiar situations and we can be there for one another during our healing process. I'm grateful for this forum and thank you for letting me share!

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Originally Posted by smmsosf914 Hello all! Like leannelacovara I am also having a DaVinci hysterectomy on the 30th, also keeping my ovaries. I am 36, a Roman Catholic religious Sister, and have dealt with endometriosis for over 20 years. I had DaVinci surgery in September 2017 to remove 5cm endometriomas from each ovary as well as extrensive exicison. My OBGYN has been amazing through the process and he gave me the option of a hysterectomy because he believes the endometriosis is the in the uteran muscle. He will be using the same incisions he made in 2017 to work through. While I am nervous, more the normal presurgery jitters, I am more stressed to finalize the growing to-do list before Tuesday. I have had great support from my Sisters and I am grateful to be part of the HysterSisters community. To you all also having surgery this week you will be in my prayers.

Thinking of you, hope it goes really well and you have a speedy recovery

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Originally Posted by ellejk Hello everyone! I am 38 years old and live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It’s a balmy -40 degrees Celsius today(and forecasted for most of the coming week), so I guess it’s as good a week as any for surgery! I am having a total abdominal hysterectomy on the 29th due to large, multiple fibroids. It’s been a tough year and I am looking forward to recovering and feeling more like myself again. I have two teen boys at home, as well as my partner, 5 cats and a very well behaved dog. I also have three stepsons, one is grown and moved out and the other two live with their mom. I don’t imagine the cats will be much help, but I am grateful for my entire families support when I return home! I am a nurse, so unfortunately I spend too much time thinking about surgery and possible complications. I am trying to stay positive and keep my mind as occupied as possible in these last two days. My youngest son is autistic, so I worry about him the most while I am away in the hospital. I am sending healing vibes to all and the hope for speedy, uncomplicated recoveries!

ellejk, the very best of luck with your surgery I hope it goes really well and recover quickly. Like you, my youngest son has Autism. I put off my surgery for a while as I was worried about the impact it would have on his routine. I’ve made all the preparations I can so hopefully it will go smoothly.

Sending you lots of positive thoughts. x

Hi Ladies! I’m scheduled for surgery Tuesday, January 29th. My doctor will remove my uterus and tubes but I’m keeping ovaries and cervix. I’ve been dealing with fibroids for over 10 years. My uterus is so large, it’s up to my belly button. I had a myomectomy in 2009 and UFE in 2014. I don’t have any biological kids but I have two beautiful step daughters! I’m 38. My doctor has me doing a bowel prep one day before. Anyone else doing a bowel prep? I’m a ball of nerves! I’m scheduled for a massage today hopefully to calm me a little! Blessings to us all!

Hi everyone it's very reassuring to see how many women are having hysterectomies the same week as me.

I'm 36 years old no children over a decade of infertility multiple D&Cs and other procedures for healthy uterus and for fertility. It was the last straw this year with increased pain increase risk of uterine cancer. I just want to be able to travel the world again and get back into my boxing and deep water aerobics. I know everyone tells me that I'll feel so much better after this surgery and once I'm recovered. I sure hope so because I really love everything that I do in life and everything I want to be doing. I'm very nervous about surgery and recovery and I'm very sad about this being the end of a very hard fertility journey.