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Very Nervous about Tomorrows Surgery

Hi, Reading all of these posts are so helpful.  Thank you all so much for sharing.  I am 38yr mom of 3 and have surgery scheduled tomorrow morning.  I am having the De Vinci surgery for POP, a Mid uretheral sling and complex cyst removal and losing a right ovary.  Very nervous about recovery, I am not a fan of narcotics at all.  I am scheduled to return back to work in 10 days and I thought I would be slow going but mostly fine.  I really don't know what to expect what so ever!  What are my chances of going home with a foly catheter?  The docs said there is a slight possibility.  I had one after my partial hysto while I was in the hospital and i got such a bad infection from it.  

Realistically how bad am I going to feel?
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Avatar universal
I agree with ipurr2 that 10 days is too short a period of time for healing.  It is generally accepted that it takes 3 months for full healing but this does happen gradually as you go along, able to do a bit more etc.,
Even though you are having Da Vinci which is less invasive surgery, 10 days is a very short period of time to heal enough to go back to work so take it easy and no lifting.  It is important to let healing take place for the best results.

If you feel you have a UTI whether you still have your catheter or it has been removed go to your Dr for help.  Dont wait or struggle.  

Remember to take your stool softeners like Miralax so as to reduce constipation and pressure on your POP ops.  
I hope very much you are recovering well and let us know how you get on  
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Avatar universal
well by the time you see this you will be on the healing side of your surgery so at least the anxiety of waiting will be behind you...I too had the Davinci repair for pop with mesh...I think 10 days is WAY too soon to be going back to work even if you have a sit down job as sitting puts a lot of strain on the pelvic floor and you just had major surgery...I would recommend nothing less then 6 weeks and then go back part time or light duty is at all possible...this is MAJOR surgery and you only get one chance to heal well so please make sure you do this by giving your body the time it needs to heal. I was not even able to lift more then a gallon of milk for 6 weeks...so to go back to work at 10 days I could not have done it no matter the job...

As for the going home with a cath...I did not have to do that...my bladder was really ticked off, but from past surgery for endometriosis I learned some tricks..one standing over the toilet is easier then sitting (in the shower with warm water on you is even better) being warm as this helps the body to soften and relax. I would go in and in the beginning it was drips, I would make it back to my bed and feel like i needed to go again so had to get back up for a few more drops then it became a trickle, then a bigger trickle...and so on...it took some time but the bladder is a VERY sensitive organ as well as a muscle so it really does not like to be messed with...so do the above and then as you are trying to pee...take nice slow deep breaths to calm the body ... seems hokey, but it really does help!
Also, don't be afraid to take the narcotics (just make sure you take miralax and stool softener while on them) It is critical to stay ahead of the pain because if it gets ahead of you it is much harder to get back under control and the body can't focus on healing when it's in pain...this is temporary not forever..and this is what they are truly for...pain...and surgery brings pain..so please take the pain meds as your dr. prescribes! Take care of you by only walking short distances and resting...nothing more!
Let us know how you made out after your surgery!
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