ENDO Messages for May, 2008: Re: HELP I'm 28 and need a hysterectomy

Re: HELP I'm 28 and need a hysterectomy

From: Sherri (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat May 31 13:54:45 2008

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In reply to: Amanda: "HELP I'm 28 and need a hysterectomy"
Next in thread: Debbie: "Re: HELP I'm 28 and need a hysterectomy"

Hey Amanda! I had a total abdominal hysterectomy when I was 27, four years ago. I'll tell you my experience, but I don't want to scare you. I had a few staples after mine, but I mostly had the stitches covered with "steri-strips". I was in the hospital for 3 days, and honestly it did take me about 7-8 weeks to feel like me again. It is a MAJOR surgery, though a common one. I am a HUGE baby when it comes to pain, especially surgery pain, so yes, I was in a lot of pain while recovering, but in the hospital it was not that bad. Before my surgery, before they put me to sleep, I was given an epidural so that I would be "numb" from the waist down when I woke up after surgery. This was all previously discussed and set up by my surgeon. Apparently, it's not that common as the anesthsiaologist (sp?) said it was unusual. My reason for begging my doc for this was b/c I KNEW how bad the pain was for me upon awakening from my other surgeries. I had 3 laporatomies (c-section style cut) and 1 c-section prior to my hyst. and knew it would be the same incision and pain. Because of this epidural, my hyst. was the best surgical experience I've had. It was bliss to be totally numb for 2 days, though I had to stay catherized(think huge UTI here) b/c I could not stand or walk to go to the bathroom. My legs were completely numb! After the 2nd day, they removed the epidural and put me on a PCA-patient controlled anesthsia pump, I think it was Fentanyl and then the day I went home I started taking 2 50mg Demerol every 4-6 hours for the pain. I was also given phenergan for nausea and 800mg Ibuprofen for inflammation.

My daughter was 4 at the time, and my husband took off work for the first 2 weeks, though I really wanted someone around to help me for at least another week. I wasn't allowed to drive for the first 4 weeks, due to the meds I was on, and the fear of stitches ripping out during driving, but honestly, I did not feel like doing anything for at least those first 4 weeks. I think it is very important to rest as much as you possibly can, take your pain meds and let your body recover as long as it needs to. All the housework and other stuff will be there when you're ready...trust me! LOL!

Of course you're nervous! Have you been to do all the pre-op stuff and met the anesthsia-person yet? I set up an appointment for the day before my surgery to see my gyn/surgeon and ask any last minute questions I had and make sure we were all on the same page as far as anesthsia and pain meds post-op. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery! Hope that something I said was helpful to you!

At Fri, 30 May 2008, Amanda wrote: >
>h i my name is Amanda and I am 28 years old. I am new to this forum and
>I figured I would give this a shot! I have endometriosis and am
>scheduled to have an abdominal hysterectomy on June 6th. I am
>completely nervous about this! They are taking everything... uterus,
>ovaries, tubes, cervix not leaving anything. I am wondering how am I
>going to feel after surgery? My doc said they are going to cut me right
>above my hairline like a c-section cut. Does anyone know if that calls
>for staples or just stitches? Will I be in a lot of pain after surgery?
>The doc said I would be in the hospital Fri, Sat, and probably come home
>Sun. I have an 8 yr old son and my mom is going to take him home with
>her for 2 wks so I can rest after surgery. How long is recovery time
>for surgery like this? I am so nervous of something going wrong, or
>waking up and hurting tremendously. I DO NOT want to wake up and be in
>tremendous pain and the doctors or nurses not help me! I am sooooo
>scared. Anyone who has been through this your comments would be greatly
>appreciated. Thanks so much in advance.

Next message: Debbie: "Re: HELP I'm 28 and need a hysterectomy"
Previous message: Sherri: "Re: Endo after complete hysterectomy - still have symptoms."
In reply to: Amanda: "HELP I'm 28 and need a hysterectomy"
Next in thread: Debbie: "Re: HELP I'm 28 and need a hysterectomy"

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