Scheduled for Wednesday - have some questions

I'm scheduled for a LAVH on Wednesday. I'll be in the hospital overnight, and hopefully home by Thursday.

What sort of discomfort should I expect afterwards, both from the laparascope incisions as well as vaginally?

Can I lay flat, or should I plan on propping myself up for awhile? I'm thinking with the abdominal incisions, laying flat may not be good -- dunno.

If you had a LAVH, how soon were you up and around? I'm a nut and the catheter scares me more than the surgery so I said "no way" on the catheter. I had the option of going outpatient, so I'm figuring I can get up to pee by myself! But, I'm wondering -- realistically -- how did you feel after your surgery?

Also...I'm curious what effect it will have that I haven't had a period in 5 weeks. I guess that after 22 continual months, my body decided to give me a break - how nice! Seriously, I'm a bit concerned with the add'l buildup of endo lining (I'm having a LAVH) and was just curious if anyone had any btdt experience.

Thanks!
Karen

That's it for now

Hi Karen,

I had an LAVH on 9/29. I feel great, so much better than before surgery, you will be so glad you did it.
I was most comfortable on my back, slightly propped up. Perfectly honestly, I really did not have any vaginal discomfort, my pain was mainly in my tummy, and my lower back. I only used my pain pills for two days then I just switched to Advil. The first two weeks home, pretty much all I felt like doing was napping, and taking short strolls around the house, but after that I was feeling really great. I am still not supposed to be exercising yet, but the waiting was making me crazy, so I have cheated a bit.
Just remember, everyone is different, and there are so many factors to consider, age, physical fitness, overall health, etc. Take your time, and PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY!!!!
I will be thinking about you this week. Feel free to PM me with questions.

Emily

Hi,
I don't think you mentioned how old you were or what your diagnosis was. I had a LAVH (with BSO, i.e. ovaries removed) on Aug. 24. I'm 56 years old. I really didn't have any pain and very little discomfort afterwards -- either vaginally or because of the little incisions for the laparascope. These were tiny incisions -- about 1/2 inch each. I left the hospital with several regular bandaids on my belly. I think I slept on my side for a night or two, and then went back to sleeping on my belly. It wasn't a problem. I was in the hospital for 1.5 days, and then went home. Once home, I just napped and lounged around the house for a few days. I felt tired and somewhat achy (especially if I tried to bend in the middle!), but otherwise it wasn't too bad.

Please don't be afraid of having a catheter. I had never had one before, but it really wasn't bad. I never had any pain from it. A few times I was beginning to feel like I "had to go to the bathroom", but then that feeling went away. I was unconscious when they put it in. When they took it out, it just went "plop" like a wet tampon, and then it was out. And, like a lot of us have learned, it's nice not to have to get up and go to the bathroom when you're feeling yucky. Hope everything goes well for you.

Barbara

Hi Karen,
I had my LAVH in 2003. I was amazed how well I felt 1 week later. Just a word of advice, just because you feel good don't overdue it!! I went out to a party and danced at my 2nd week post op and started bleeding. I was back on the couch for 2 more weeks. You will feel so much better. It's been over a year now and my main problem is with the hormones. I am allergic to everything out there. I am not on anything now and the hot flashes are few and far between, so far so good.
Good Luck to you on Wednesday. I believe the surgery is worth it.
Take Care,
Kari