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Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
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09-13-2013, 07:51 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 17
Hysterectomy: September 27th, 2013
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
I had surgery earlier this week to remove a pesky fibroid. Surgeon stopped the surgery once he saw my scar tissue and told me I needed a hysterectomy since he could not remove fibroid with the less invasive procedure. Next thing I knew it was being scheduled. 2 weeks from today.
I got the paperwork in the mail today and learned I am getting a Da Vinci. Of course, I google it and the website pops up regarding the dangers of Da Vinci and lawsuits.
I am only getting the uterus removed. Hopefully that will increase my chances of not having to file a lawsuit in the future...
I have no idea if this is an out patient surgery or if I will be in the hospital overnight? I was told bedrest for 2 weeks following the surgery. I worry about how it may affect sex life quality...will things feel different? Will it have an adverse affect? Will I still be able to run, bike and be active? Does getting the uterus only removed require any type of HRT?
I'm a little freaked out....this was very unexpected. Grateful I found this website!
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09-13-2013, 08:07 PM
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Posts: 17,510
Hysterectomy: May 17th, 2011
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
Hi Carolyn123 to HysterSisters!
I understand about the unexpected hysterectomy - it really makes your head spin!
I believe a DvH they send you home the same day, but I could be wrong on that. You will definitely need to rest for a couple of weeks, if not longer. But normally they have you walk - brief but frequent walks - soon after surgery. It does take time to recovery from this surgery, and you will be very tired. You will need time off work, and you can move SLOWLY back into your life a bit at a time.
Regarding sex... after you are cleared (usually six weeks), this is different for everyone. Some say it is better, some say worse, some say no change, and everywhere in between.
Regarding activity.... you can return to normal activities when you body is ready. It will be a SLOW process, and it may literally take a few months if not more, but you will eventually return to your normal activity. When in question, you may need clearance from your doctor.
Regarding HRT....if you are keeping your ovaries, you should not need HRT. Your ovaries may sleep a bit after surgery until they get accustomed to not having the blood supply from your uterus. So there may be some brief menopause symptoms until they wake up...
Always keep in mind that you are never alone - not on this site! We are here to help and support you.
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09-13-2013, 08:17 PM
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Posts: 19,781
Hysterectomy: May 29th, 2013
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
Y'know, everyone else complains about having to wait and wait to get a surgery date! *grin*
I didn't have a daVinci myself, but you'll be hearing from other sisters who did. Ignore the lawsuits website. That's just lawyers trying to pay for their fancy cars and second homes.
daVinci *can* be a out-patient surgery, but a lot depends on what time of day your surgery is scheduled for and how your particular body responds. The hospital shouldn't release you until they - and you - feel you're safe to go.
Check with your doctor, but based on my own experience, you *don't* want to do two weeks' complete bedrest afterwards. Rather, you want to go for short, frequent walks and rest in between. I had a TAH (which is supposed to have a longer recovery time than a daVinci) with a three-day hospital stay. A nurse hauled me out of bed the morning after surgery to take me for a walk around the ward, after which she "suggested" that I sit in an armchair for awhile rather than going straight back to bed. Then she came back that afternoon and we did the whole thing again! I took my cues from this experience. The first two weeks I walked, sat upright to read, sew and work at my computers, and only curled up on my side to read or nap when my abdominal muscles began to feel sore.
After the first two weeks, I built on what I was already doing. My doc cleared me at four weeks to walk, bike, swim and do pretty much everything except lift heavy boxes and use my exercise machine. Those things had to wait until six weeks. Everyone's different, but I had an easy recovery and was pretty much back to normal after two months. Still got a bit of "swelly belly" in the evenings, but it's not too bad.
The cardinal rule of recovery is: if you start to do something and it hurts, STOP. Listen to both your body and your doctor.
If you're keeping your ovaries, you shouldn't require HRT. *However* be aware that normally your body stockpiles some estrogen in the tissues of your uterus. Losing that will throw your hormone levels for a loop the first few weeks - hot flashes, mood swings, etc. You're *not* going through surgical menopause and your body will eventually adjust.
Sex - the married sisters mostly seem to report that it does feel a little different, but it still feels really good, just sort of a different kind of good. I expect other sisters will be writing in about that too. :-)
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09-14-2013, 08:29 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 17
Hysterectomy: September 27th, 2013
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
Thanks for the replies!
I am reading them from my iPhone and scrolling down, at the end of the last message, is the lawsuit ad: "Have you been injured by a Da Vinci procedure?" Ugh. It is nerve wracking!!!
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09-14-2013, 08:42 AM
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Posts: 19,781
Hysterectomy: May 29th, 2013
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
You're being targeted with the ads because you've been researching daVinci's. Ugh, indeed! :-(
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09-14-2013, 10:08 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 17
Hysterectomy: September 27th, 2013
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
Creepy how "stalk-y" the Internet has gotten.
Luckily the lawyers I work for aren't these ambulance chasing types!
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09-14-2013, 02:23 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 1,153
Hysterectomy: October 18th, 2012
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
Hi Carolyn, I had a daVinci and stayed one night in the hospital, but I had my ovaries and a bunch of lymph nodes out, so it was a longer surgery. I have been amazed at how smoothly my recovery went, am very glad that I had the daVinci. I had virtually no acute pain, needed no narcotics after I left the hospital. I was sore and tired, but not in pain or feeling sick. I didn't need bed rest, in fact was told by the nurses to try to be active without wearing myself out. So, rest a little, walk a little. Repeat. My doctor said I could go back to work after 2 1/2-3 weeks, but NO WAY. I was very tired for many weeks afterward and went back to work part-time at 5 weeks. If you are concerned about what you read about the lawsuits, you might ask your surgeon how many of these procedures he's done. My surgeon trains residents at the cancer center and is very experienced and I feel that was an important factor in my outcome.
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09-14-2013, 07:14 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 17
Hysterectomy: September 27th, 2013
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
Hi Josie:
Your reply was very helpful!
Did you need one of those binder things to put around your stomach post surgery? Did you belly stay swollen for a long time after?
I was told I could go back to work in 2 weeks. I will see how I feel. Lucky my employer is very supportive.
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09-15-2013, 06:35 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 1,100
Hysterectomy: October 31st, 2012
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
Everyone's experience will vary greatly. I had DVH. My surgery began at 6pm. finished at 2am. and I went home at 11am. DVH cuts and cauterizes as it goes so the chance of bleeding is drastically reduced. My surgery was 10 months ago. I am not one who recovered in 2 weeks. I took all the time I needed. My surgery was complicated. Not everyone gets a swollen belly. Mine was completely flat. Still is.
As with any surgery, recovery is key. Listen to your body. It will tell you if you are doing something that you are not ready for.
Davinci was the best option for me. The best part is, I can only see one scar. The rest have faded. Just went on a cruise and wore a bikini. Nobody knew.
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09-15-2013, 01:04 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 19
Hysterectomy: August 19th, 2013
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Unexpected hysterectomy in 2 weeks
I had the DaVinci surgery and had everything out so the surgery was about three hours and I stayed one night. I had morphine drip in hospital for about 18 hours then Percocet. I needed Percocet at home for a day or two then went to 600 mg of Advil.
The Dr. Made five small incisions on my tummy and the pain was manageable. I also was tired and worn out but I did not feel any horrible pain so don't be afraid. I am at 4 weeks now and still take it easy with some light household activities and close to home errands. I also walk about 30 mins a day. No gym yet., I plan to go to work part time at 5 weeks. My body is still not 100% but almost! So true when everyone says listen to your body! You can't rush the recovery. I would recommend DaVinci for less recovery time and less pain.
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