Having hysterectomy on the 26th, having open surgery, how long in hospital?

I met with the oncologist/gynecologist yesterday. He said he could do the surgery robotically but I cannot go through general anesthetic (due to really bad side effects) so we opted for the traditional surgery with epidural. He told me I would be overnight for two nights but the assistant setting up the surgery said could be 3 nights.

How long usually is a woman in the hospital for an open surgery/hysterectomy?

Thanks!

Hi my doctor said 2-5 nights possible. I booked 2 but ended up in for 3 nights. I had a previous surgery with a spinal block and it was ok. Good luck.

Hey Cleveland Sports

We are having our surgery the same day!! I am also having a TAH - have had 3 c-sections and have a ton of scarring and adhesions. At my pre-op last week, I was told that I would be out either Sunday or Monday depending on how I am doing.

My surgery is 8:00 in the morning so I am hoping to be out of the hospital by Sunday morning. But I guess we'll see how I'm doing.

Since you're also seeing an oncologist - sounds like you are dealing with cancer as well?

Sending hugs and prayers your way.
Catycakes

My doctor told me 3 nights.

I felt OK post-op (very sore of course, but...), had good bladder function after 24 hours, and my vitals were all very good so I asked to leave after 2 nights. And I did.

Thanks.

katscoz, why did you stay for 3 instead of 2? Also, were you consciously aware during the surgery with the spinal or did you sleep pretty much anyway?

Catycakes, amazing we are having it done on the same day! lol I am actually not dealing with cancer (I hope) but since my CA 125 was elevated and I have an endometrioma along with probable endometriosis (which the doctors think is why my CA 125 is elevated) I consulted on my own with a gynecologist oncologist. My regular gyno didn't think I needed to but I did it on my own anyway. The scans and reports are pretty clear this is a benign cyst (I have even researched on my own every word in the report lol) but of course like the oncologist gynecologist said, you cannot know 100% until you get in there. He still gave it a 95-98% chance it was benign and even said to my mom and I in the office something like, "If this is cancer...." then winked and goes, "It's not." So he's pretty sure but just ever so slightly not wanting to ignore that CA 125 but he believes it's due to the cyst and endo. I will pray everything goes smoothly for you!

forcythia, that's great! Were you in a lot of pain initially?

ClevelandSports

I had good pain control in the hospital, and the Percoset/Ibuprophen at home afterwards was fine. This was also my third abdominal surgery, so I knew the drill. I was uncomfortable of course, but it wasn't too bad.

That's good.

I have had my appendix out, open surgery, but I assume this might be slightly more involved, maybe bigger incision and of course, it's just a bigger surgery.

I also wonder about the menopausal symptoms I might experience? My surgeon never mentioned this.

Should add - the hysterectomy incision went through a previous vertical incision I'd had for a cyst surgery, but was longer. Except when I moved, it hurt very little. Recovery definitely takes a little longer. I overdid it after my last cyst surgery and stupidly carried heavy stuff about 10 days post op. Tore a few stitches and leaked. This time, I didn't carry anything heavier than my laptop for six weeks.

Cleveland, I think a lot of the issue of menopausal symptoms relates to your age. I was 55 and was generally well into menopause. Have had 10 years of severe insomnia. Post-op, had some mild warm flushes, and about three weeks of many aches and pains all together at the same time. Those, luckily, are all over. Insomnia is still bad. Lost about 8 pounds due to surgery, but haven't gained anything else, mostly as I've been walking a lot since late July.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by ClevelandSports Thanks. katscoz, why did you stay for 3 instead of 2? Also, were you consciously aware during the surgery with the spinal or did you sleep pretty much anyway?

Hi when I had the spinal block abdominal surgery I was awake and aware, did not have any sedation or tranquilisers. I didn't mind it as I was quite interested in what was going on. But I did see, hear and smell the surgery and did feel some tugging movement on my body but no pain. Some people would get freaked out by that. I asked my doctor this time about having a spinal again but he said best not. My surgery with spinal was about 40 minutes. The hyster was about 3 hours with a lot more involved freeing up adhesions and dealing with endometriosis. I guess I could have had the spinal with some sedation to sleep through it but opted for the general instead.

I stayed the extra night in hospital because I lost a lot of blood and could not stand up without fainting the next day. That meant I could not go to the toilet and therefore had the catheter left in another day. They did not think I had lost so much blood, as most was bleeding internally forming a large haematoma, so did not test my haemoglobin level so I didn't get a transfusion which would have helped. It was only when I went to my local doctor a week later and asked for a test for anaemia that we figured out I must have lost more than they measured and another week later when I went back to hospital as an emergency with an infection that they did an ultrasound and found the haematoma.

My hospital wanted me up and walking and being able to pee before they released me. They did 3 pee tests where they recorded volume and then did ultrasound to check I was emptying my bladder fully. Not all hospitals do that though.

Good luck with your surgery

Just realized that I didn't reply to your anesthesia question. I have been fortunate enough to have pretty much done it all : D I had carpal tunnel surgery on my hand under conscious sedation which means you are not totally under but completely unaware of what is going on. The last thing I remember is talking about skiing to the anesthetist and then about 30 minutes later feeling like I'd dozed off - but had never been under.

I have had 2 emergency c-sections with an epidural which was great. You don't feel any pain but do feel tugging as they get the baby out. I have also had a spinal block as my last pregnancy was a scheduled c-section - it felt exactly the same as a c-section.

I have also had general anesthesia a couple of times - that is always a tough one as you feel totally out of it for hours.

I should also mention that I get really nauseous with most anesthetics so will be asking for some anti-nausea meds with my general anesthetic this time. I puked on the operating table with my last 2 c-sections and a few times afterwards. I wouldn't recommend that :-(

Glad to hear you only saw an oncologist as a precaution. Sounds like you are a fantastic advocate for yourself - good for you :-)

CC