Lap assisted hysterectomy

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

Hello all, I graduated 3 months ago and last week ended up at the same hospital, same floor I did my maternity clinical for a total hysterectomy. How ironic. Wondering if there are any fellow nurses who have had lap asst lady partsl hysterectomy and how long you were recovering before returning back to work. My doc said minimun of 4 weeks. I feel quite good only 1 week out with the exception of a pressure/spasm sensation of the rectum which I am thinking it could be Levetor syndrome? I hope it isn't a permenant condition after hysterectomy. Share any experiences? Hugs in advance. :heartbeat

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talk to your doc

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

While we can't give medical advice, particularly about the pressure/spasm thing, can't nurses share their personal experiences about how long it took them to feel OK to go back to work?

Hope you are feeling better quite soon, "newtress" and I'll be curious if others can share how long until they were OK after hysterectomy.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I had a laparoscopic hyst three years ago. My cervix was left in situ to support my bladder and I still have my ovaries. I spent one night in hospital post-op. The gyne was afraid he'd nicked my bladder (I had TONS of adhesions from three vertical C-section incisions) so I peed bright green for several hours (IVF at 300 mL an hour!) while I flushed out the methylene blue he used to check for leaks. For the first three or four days I was in a fair bit of pain (pelvic, shoulder and gas) that was easily controlled with Voltaren supps and Tylenol. I was really tired for about ten days then started feeling a lot better. But because of what I do at work, my gyne told me he'd write me a note for six weeks. If I'd worked in a clinic or at a desk, I would have gone back after four weeks. You can't underestimate the effects of general anesthesia on your level of function. I took a week off after a D&C a year before my hyst and the first day I went back I felt like I'd been run over by a bus before noon. I didn't feel guilty at all taking an extra couple of weeks with the hyst. Take the recommended time off, you own't regret it. But you might if you go back too soon.

Oh, and I've had the rectal spasm thing too. Every once in a blue moon (always in the middle of the night) it hits me again, but some Tylenol and a warm compress usually take care of it.

Take care of yourself.

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I had a lap assisted lady partsl hysterectomy (kept ovaries, took out cervix). My surgeon is one of the best in the world at this. He would have done a supracervical, but I am "organ-removal liberal" LOL! I researched his a$$ and knew he'd pull it off flawlessly. I was up that evening (stayed overnight because my surgery was scheduled later) showered in the a.m., walked, passed gas, peed, discharged at noon. Only took one dose of vicoden that day and was on advil at home (didn't need the pain med scripts). Went back to work (physician's office) after one week. That job required no lifting. This surgery (had 2 previous laps with diff docs) was a dream, only had a little pain, and a little ditziness, or I'd have been back at work even sooner. I took it easy, ate well moved around and went to bed early for a while to help my body out. I've had no ill effects.

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

I really appreciate the feedback and sharing of your experience with post op lap hysterectomy from the above posters. These hysterectomies are a one time surgical experience, and making a statement or two about strange sensations isn't asking for medical advice, just wondering if others felt it too. What a bonehead.

I am amazed at how great I feel and the drastic improvement in my quality of life. I feel like I could go back to work next week, but with all the work that was done internally you certainly wouldn't want to risk it. My surgeon advised removing everything, and have some comfort in knowing those repro organs won't be there if any cancer decided to set up shop later in life. Plus my abdomen is no longer in a pseudo state of pregnancy! I had menorrhagia so bad that I required transfusion, and I was bleeding 26 days/month with a 4 day break inbetween for 1.5 yrs, all the while I was trying to finish nursing school. Could barely get through that pinning ceremony and sitting for the state board. But alas 3 months later I finally have the hysterectomy and I get to keep my own blood now and build up my RBC's! Would still like to hear more on how y'all did post op, ..

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I had a lap assisted hysterectomy at 44. Surgeon removed my cervix but left my ovaries. I healed incredibly fast and remember thinking that I could've returned to work (in a derm practice so no heavy lifting or other strenuous activity) in about 2 weeks.

MD said "NO," and being the compliant pt that I am, I obeyed. I did return after 4 wks.

The same year I also had lasix (after wearing glasses for almost 40 years).

No glasses, no contacts, no solutions, no ridiculously heavy periods, no pain, no tampons, no pads, no longer having to worry if I was going to have an accident....

Thought I'd died and gone to heaven! :wshgrt:

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Specializes in OB.

I had a supracervical laproscopic hysterectomy last May. I felt pretty tired for about a week, very little pain, though. I returned to work in two weeks and did just fine other than being tired. I would have loved to have more time off, but my doc said early return to work is one of the advantages to laproscopic surgery.

It was one of the best things i've ever done! I'm having the summer of my life not having to worry about pain & bleeding anymore!

Sending healing thoughts to you, Newtress!

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

Thanks so much. Guess you could say we are "hyster sisters."

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Glad to see this post. Hope you are doing well newtress. I am scheduled for a lap hyst 12/18. I have just under 4 wks from date of surgery 'til block 2 of my nursing program starts up, so have been stressing a little re recovery. My surgeon has assured me I should be fine. Had open myomectomy, ovarian cysectomy, laparotomy for stage 4 endo 2.5 yrs ago. Was NOT a pleasant experience. Ended up with a massive infection, drains, IV abx, etc. A 6 wk recovery turned into 3.5 month ordeal. So, very happy to have this option available. Decided on the hysterectomy as I don't want to have to deal with the fibroids, massive bleeding, pain anymore. Just started the Lupron shots to build up my blood count due to anemia. REally looking forward to be free!!!! :wink2:

Thanks everyone for sharing! I feel a little better now.

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

I'm so glad for you that you will be getting the hyst. Not often you can look forward to a surgery, but in my case and from your prior hx you will be relieved that those troublesome organs will not trouble you again. I'm 3 wks post op and some mornings I wake up forgetting I even had surgery as there was minimal pain w/laproscopic, but mentally still think I'm going to be bleeding and cramping all day and then it hits me "I'm stayfree pad free!" And no uterus/cervix or ovaries to decide on becoming cancerous in the future. I wish you well before and after your surgery. You will feel so much better, soon to be hyster sister :D

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Specializes in Psych, M/S, Ortho, Float..

I have been through it all as well. One of the best resources for me was

http://www.hystersisters.com/

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