surgery

hiya, i have had quite a colourfull medical history, and am going in for a laproscopic hysterectomy next week and i am feeling quite fearfull, having 3 young children i am hoping for a speedy recovery, has anyone else had the surgery done in this way and how was it,,removal of the womb,ovaries,falopian tubes and cervix.  thanx

[Hannie333]

Hi bib75,

I am scheduled to have surgery in 3 weeks and also have 3 young children.  I wish I could give you some advice but I dont know how it will be yet, I just wanted to wish you luck and let you know you are not alone.  Hopefully some of the members here that have been through it can give some answers to you.  Do you have anyone who is able to help you with the children?  I hope that you are able to get as much rest and take as much time to heal as you need.

~Hannie

[Cherie762]

have a lot of ladies ask this and hope this journal page helps you, There are many good tips, and some helpful information ,that I have learned from personal experience and from researching for the hysterectomy forum.

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


ladies hope this helps you really have to be good to yourslefs to recover well from this,,ask for help and take it,,the pain is heavy at first it gets better every single day IF you listen to drs orders..if I can help futher let me know!