Have you had a HYSTERECTOMY?

[cdadabo]

I have to have a hysterectomy on July 11th. I have two very large fibroid tumors that are misshapping my uterus. I've had a constant period since the end of May (ugh...) and I'm really nervous about the surgery. It's robotic assisted. Some questions I have are: What should I bring to the hospital? How long will the surgery take? How long will recovery take?

Any help that you ladies can give to me would be wonderful! Thank you!

[pharrothead]

Not me personally but one of the girls at work just had it done for something very similar. Fibroids, never ending period, robot assisted etc.

She was back to work part time the next week and then full time the 2nd week. I don't recall exactly how long she was in surgery, but I don't think it was too long.

[kymberly21]

Hi! I had mine done 3 years ago when I was 26. Mine was performed because of Poly Cystic Ovary Disease. But I got very unlucky. We tried to just remove a single ovary and tube, which is nearly the same Incision as the Hyster. Well 6 Weeks later I had to go in for a Emergency Hyster! Ouch! Add in 10 days in hospital with a post op infection in between and I can really empathize with what you are going through.

All the information I give you is going to be based off of my experiences from when I was a 26 Year old Somewhat healthy woman. And I had a Full abdominal hysterectomy ;)
1. The Surgery lasts less than 2 hours. It is a rather Simple Surgery.
2. Recovery is a different game. You will notice a decrease in Incision pain on Day 4-5. At the 2 week Mark you will feel more normal but tire easily. You will be able to go all day with out a nap, but only if you are sitting around reading a book.
at 6 Weeks you will be starting to feel like normal and your Incision will itch like crazy.

Now for a Robotic Assisted Hyster you can expect it to last Less than 2 Hours.
Be home same day or following day. Feel better at incision sites in 2-4 days and back to work in 7-10 if you are younger or 10-14 if you are older or a slow healer.

Things to take with you. Well you will either have 2 Situations. 1 You feel minimal pain and are bored out of your mind. Or two you sleep through the whole things and never open your bag till you are discharged.
So With both of my Surgeries I packed
1 small and 1 large pillow
1 rice bag (rice filled microwaveable bag to place on incision)
Several Books
My PDA for games
List of Phone numbers to call people
Cell Phone charger!!!
A button up Night gown!
Yoga Pants , and a Long t-shirt to wear home, with slip on sandals.
Slippers with a good grip.
Scrunchies to hold my hair out of the way. I recommend braiding for the actual procedure.
A Loofa on a Stick, came very in hand also!
My own Body wash and 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner. Deodorant, Tooth brush and toothpaste were travel size and tossed afterwards, because we fear hospital germs.
I highly recommend you have a Good Attitude! GO IN SAYING, This is quick, easy and Ill be up on my feet in no time! People who go in scared seem to have more pain.

Im not saying it is a walk in the park, but Its not as bad as it used to be.If you want to ask any more personal questions, feel free to PM me. They surgery I had was the more severe and radical but I researched the Da Vinci method because I was hoping it could be done instead!

Oh and know if you are going to be Having HRT before hand so You can have it out of the way. I also recommend you check out a Website called HysterSisters , it has everything you could possibly need right there! Im a member there too, and I got tons of info there.

[collectorofbells]

can't add much more to what Kimberly said....I had a TAH in 2006....for Fibroids and heavy bleeding....I can honestly say it's the BEST thing I've ever done...you will feel soooo much better...well...once the recovery period is over that is...it will take awhile before you feel human again...but it's worth it!

love the Hystersisters site....saved me many sleepness nights wondering "if,,,but if a happens then..." no matter what time of night your brain kicks into gear to drive you nuts...there's somebody there to hold your hand and talk you down off the wall....