Laproscopic Partial Hysterectomy

[dancinghamsters]

I'm having a partial hysterectomy done laproscopically in January due to Adenomyosis. Can anyone offer any advice for pre-surgery preparation and post-surgery recovery?  

[remar]

Write a list of all your questions to take to your Dr and ask him what to expect.
It's hard for me to say what to expect because we're all so different. I had a complete abdominal hysterectomy many years ago with no problems at all. Yes, I was very sore for a few weeks and I took it easy.
Prepare easy to fix meals before you go into the hospital that you can microwave. Ask your family for help with house cleaning, laundry and picking up meds if you need them. Your Dr will send you home with pain meds. Have a family member or friend pick up some good movies for you to watch.
If you have any more questions we're here for you. Take care. Remar

[Cherie762]

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.
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 ,
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,

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

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.

Best wishes, as always any additional questions I am here for you, Cherie

[dancinghamsters]

Wow I was apparently taking this way to casually! My doctor told me that this surgery would be very similar to the laproscopic gallbladder surgery I had in 1999 which was a breeze.  I had virtually no pain, some soreness but I wouldn't call it pain. Mainly I just tired very easily, but felt well enough to go back to work after 2 weeks. I'm a 44 year-old single mom to a 16 year-old son so I won't need help with child care but I hadn't even thought to prepare and freeze meals ahead of time, that will be a big help. Thank you both for making me see I should have a more serious attitude about this!

[remar]

Cherie gave you great advice. It's been many years since I had my hysterectomy and I had forgotten several things on her list.
We're here if you have any more questions before and after your surgery. Take care. Remar

[twitchingteacher]

I had this done (laprascopically) about 2 years ago. I went home the same day, and did great. I went back to work in 2 weeks. I was sore, but not too bad. I know I feel a lot better now than I did before I had it done. Good Luck!