How to prepare for Total Abdominal Hysterectomy?

In 2007 I have been detected with chocolate cycsts in my left ovary. My physician prescribed me Gyane 25 tablet, a birth control pill and I was in peace with that drug. I didn't have pain for the last 2 years. Recently I'm getting pain from the cysts. I showed another physician and after doing palvic ultrasonography it was detected that I have 2 cysts in Left ovay and a single cyst in Right ovary. The biggest one is 6cm and the smallest one is 3cm. My doctor advised me to do "Total Abdominal Histerectomy (TAH & BLSO)." So I'm preparing myself for the surgery. Could you please suggest me is there any other option rather doing the surgery? I have two sons and both of them were ciserian. Mlast ciserian issue was in the year 1998. Now I'm very scared in doing the surgery. Could you please tell me is there any fatal risk in doing the TAH surgery? How can I prepare myself for safe and sound TAH surgery? Your kind comments will help me in preparing for the surgery. By the by the hospital I have chowsen to do the surgery is a Tertiary level hospital, which has ICU, CCU and modern OT.

Waiting for your earliest reply.

Thanks in anticipation.

Charmain

[Cherie762]

Chairman.
I really understand your fears, I will be very honest with you. I am not able nor qualified to give you options or know if options would be better for you than a TAH.
I am sure you know in regards to your question of mortaility that yes in theory anyone can die from any surgery,The odds of this happening from this type of operation are very low.People have died from a simple tonisil removal,Please try to change your mindset to positive, wont it be nice to be pain free?
I have walked 100s of women throught this surgery below are a list of some of my best hints and tips. I find the most important thing to recover is two folded. One listen to your instincts and your body , if something seems wrong or doesnt make sense call your dr and ask him/her about it. Do not feel bad for this they are paind great money for this surgery. Second listen really do follow drs advice to the very very best you can , you will heal best this way.,

PRE_OP

1. Get your house in order, make up some meals that can be frozen.
2. If you have small children , make arrangements for their care, you will not be able to do it for several weeks.
3. buy an ice pack, it will become your best friend. ( use for 15 min on 15 min off)
4. stock up on some soft foods such as pudding, jello, broth etc,,you should be on a soft food diet for first few days.
5. Ask your doctor, but I recommend stocking up on Colace stool softner.,,,you will not want to be constipated , Colace Brand is the best
6.buy something that you like to do that will keep you occupied while being a couch potatoe, like crosswords, needle point, a new book, whatever,,you will be a bit bored after a bit but you must rest.
7. discontinue (with drs knowlege any meds that increase blood loss risks such as asprin)

POST OP
1. your going to be hurting..most likely on narcotics, Narcotics are very binding. You do not want to be constipated, I recommend a full glass of H2O with every pill and one colace every 6 hours again, ask your doctors advice,,most will already be telling you to take stool softner,..not a laxative,,they are too harsh.

2, Your going to be told to do nothing for the first several weeks take it easy,  that as it is literal, Do nothing, rest rest and more rest.

3, This is one time in your life where you must be selfish its all about you, if you dont put yourself first your going to impede your recovery.

3. Immediatley post op you may have alot of trapped gas,,the best way to get rid of it is to walk,just let it go, Laying on left side helps too.

4. Absolutley no heavy lifting for 6 weeks no sex for 6 weeks,,

5. You may take a shower no tub baths.,avoid too much heat it increases swelling and bleeding risks

6. Ask for help and take it. let your family and friends help you,

7. expect some swelling and be sure to wear loose comfy close.

8, If you develop a temp over 101 phone your doctor immediatly. If you start to bleed heavy phone him, if your very swollen and you dimple( push finger into skin, if the imprint remains for more that 2  seconds and is deep you may have edema) phone your doctor.

9,Use the ice pack often especially in the beginning it really helps alot with the pain and swelling both
10.Increase your fluid intake, its healthy prevents constipation and helpw with recovery.

all and all its one tough surgery and recovery, It does get a bit better each and every day. You may feel really good by week 2 or 3 and think you can do some housework, You can not,, wait six weeks, think of the vast void where your organs used to be and how your bodys adjusting to fill it, its working hard,,,all i did one day was fold some towels , lifted nothing and it made me start bleeding and sent me into pain, You are doing yourslef a favor to follow your doctors advice to a T.

If you have any more questions, or anything you would like to discuss in private please feel free to PM me,,,all the best to you, Cherie