Hysterectomy question

[nurse34]

Hello all. I am getting ready to have a hysterectomy and wanted some input from any of you who have had one. I'm only 34 but I've been dealing with several female issues for about 4 years and since I'm done having children my GYN suggested this route. I will have both ovaries as well as my uterus taken out. What has been your experience? I look forward to my pain being relieved and no more periods but wonder what other issues I will have to deal with now. My dr. has already stated that I would be put on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. I've been reading up on all of this but still would really appreciate some feedback. Also, I'm getting ready to start school this summer and have a husband that works offshore so timing is very important. Is there something that the dr. can do to either make me start my cycle early or delay it all together? Thanks in advance!

[Haunted]

I am almost 2 weeks post op TVH. Aww, what the heck, I am that 10% where everything went goofy. I think the more pre op information you can get your hands on, the better. Don't forget to file for temp disablity proir to your surgery. Your going to have lot's of down time so stock up on books, DVD's, magazines to focus on in between pain meds.

I posted a thread about being an RN and being inpatient here if your curious, currently I have discharged my GYN (no return calls, NO F/U) and have an appointment with a new GYN today. Hopefully he can clean up the mess she left behind. Some tips I have learned:

laying on your left side is most comfortable post op, bring a scrunchy pillow to the hospital for belly support.

Start on maalox or gas x right away, most of the pain is from gas, your tummy will be tympanic! Do your best to stand at the bedside so it will settle in a "downward" direction.

Stay on a clear, bland diet first few days. Milk of Mag in the evenings before bedtime (I use half dose) keeps things moving. Try not to strain.

Stay on your pain meds. I have Vicodin, whic I depised in the past but I snap them in half during the day and they help with the crampy spasm type pain, (plus it takes my Doc's office almost a week to refill so I have to ration my meds, very nerve wracking)

Mini pads, mini pads, mini pads. TVH spotting likely, TAH most likely not, but nothing can go inside your lady parts for 6 weeks or until cleared by MD (I'll be an old lady if I wait for my current MD to clear me, the way they respond to patient needs)

You won't want anything tight around your belly, I still wear my bikini panties but thongs? UGH Go shopping for some loose, 100% cotton lounge gowns, loose 2 piece outfits. You will have visitors and will feel better in lounging clothes rather than jammies.

Short walks are great, I have a small dog and went for 10 minute walks, slowly starting at 3 days, with my DH. I did drive after a week, short distance to pharmacy, it was uncomfortable. Better to be a passenger.

Register with the hyster sister website. They have check points for every step of the way that will address a lot of your questions. You may find your self disagreeing with some of the moderators and long termers points of view, it seems they do skate a very fine line regarding advice but it seems to make sense. Don't argue if they suggest a supplement, procedure etc. Many posters are from different parts of the country and they treat symptoms differently. You will find a lot of comfort and support.

I'm loyal to this website. We all have some degree/interest in the medical field and are the best advice for treatment by MD's, nurses, how your experience is going overall. Bottom line, this surgery is happening to YOU.

No one will ever completely understand how it affects you, positive or not, bewildered with questions or smooth sailing out of recovery. Your insights, what you thought about the inpatient experience, post op road to recovery are all really important to all of us. I wish you a seedy recovery. "L"