hysterectomy questions

[Cheries]

I am scheduled for a hysterectomy (laproscopic) on July 5th. I am a little freaked out about it to to say the least. I have gone and gotten a second opinion and she also recommended it. I have a suggestion of adneymyosis (internal endometriosis, inside the uterus)from my ultrasound, particularly bad periods, fibroids and a lot of pressure pain in my pelvis. The questions I have are the following:
-Have any of you had this exact proceedure? He also wants to take my cervics as he says that if he leaves it in I may still have pain. I am concerned about the sexual ramifications as well if they take the cervics.
_How was the surgery if you have had it? I am told that it is a lot less painful than a vaginal or total hysterectomy.
_I'm on a duragesic patch for pain and am worried about post-operative pain following. I have been told that they will put me on a pump.
_My biggest concern is that this will exaserbate my bladder. I have been doing alright lately with it (not great, but livable, if you know what I mean.)

-I know a lot of my reservations are probably normal worries, as no one likes to have surgery. But it would be helpful to talk to people who have actually had this done.

[tigger_gal]

-Have any of you had this exact proceedure? He also wants to take my cervics as he says that if he leaves it in I may still have pain. I am concerned about the sexual ramifications as well if they take the cervics.
I had a hysterectomy in November, they took it all but the cervix, some say there is no different with sex with the cervix removed, and some say that its better to keep the cervix.. if you have never had dysplasia, and a series of bad paps, you may consider keeping the cervix, he can't take it with out your permission.

_How was the surgery if you have had it? I am told that it is a lot less painful than a vaginal or total hysterectomy.
Remember when they go in there will be moving all your insides around.. I was in alot of pain for a few days, and slept sitting on the couch, the remaining 5 weeks was painful, but bariable. I think I actually hurt for a couple of months

_I'm on a duragesic patch for pain and am worried about post-operative pain following. I have been told that they will put me on a pump.
_My biggest concern is that this will exaserbate my bladder. I have been doing alright lately with it (not great, but livable, if you know what I mean.)
I was told I would be giving a pump too, don't count on it, when I got to my room they said there was not one available for me. They did leave in my cath for 24 hours, but turned off my iv, I actually begged them to leave in the iv or take out the cath, they refused to listen. When they took out the cath I couldn't void, and had to call the nurse to cath me again, she told me to wait and I started crying, they came in with a bladder scan and said my bladder was at like 100 ccs or something, and I said that is half of my bladder cap. and she said no dear your bladder is much larger, and I had to explain the hole IC thing over again, and she had no clue what I was talking about.. Make sure that it is written on your chart you have IC and if you say you need cathed that they HAVE to do it when you say....


If you have any more questions ask away that is why we are here... oh and btw, since I am healed now, sex is not as painful..

[emilyrose197377]

I didn't have my hysterectomy the same as your it was not lapro. they opened me wide open and I was on the pain pump for 24 hrs and then they switched to oral meds vicodin and motrin. I am almost at week 3 and I am still in alot of pain. But I suspect they are going to move your organs around. you will be in pain.Good luck on your hysterectomy. btw they removed my cervix also.

[Vicki]

I had a partial hysto abdominally last Sept. and they removed the remaining ovary abdominally this past February. I got an epidural for pain control. It had a pump on it with time-released meds and also a button to push for break-through pain in between the time-released. I elected to use this for pain control because I REFUSE TO TAKE MORPHINE. I broke my shoulder about six years ago and they gave me a morphine. It was awful. The shoulder pain was nothing compared to the bladder pain! I made them cath me and stop the morphine because it gave me such bad bladder spasms.
I highly reccomend the epidural. The medicine they put in it is not the same as when you have a baby. I think it actually is some form of morphine but it did not give me spasms. They took the cath out on the third day both times I had my hysto work done. They used Buprenex and Toradol for break through pain while I was in the recovery room and for about twenty-four hours afterwards. I was also able to hit the button on my epidural pump to deliver more pain meds. The worst side effect of the epidural is itching. It made my face real itchy. However,I would rather itch than have bladder spasms. They gave me Benadryl for the itching which made me sleep. It helped the time pass those first few days.
I hope this info. helps you not have to go through what I went through with my shoulder surgery. It took me about twenty four hours to get my bladder working good again after my first surgery. I had to cath a couple of times to empty. My bladder worked right away after the second hysto. Both times the doc had to remove stuff off of my bladder. I am not sure why it worked so good right away after the second surgery. -Vicki

[ihurttoo]

I am scheduled for a hysterectomy (laproscopic) on July 5th. I am a little freaked out about it to to say the least. I have gone and gotten a second opinion and she also recommended it. I have a suggestion of adneymyosis (internal endometriosis, inside the uterus)from my ultrasound, particularly bad periods, fibroids and a lot of pressure pain in my pelvis. The questions I have are the following:
-Have any of you had this exact proceedure? He also wants to take my cervics as he says that if he leaves it in I may still have pain. I am concerned about the sexual ramifications as well if they take the cervics. Mine was abdominal instead of laproscopic, but I have had lots of other lapro surgeries. The incision pain I had with my other lapros, were not too bad....nothing like I expected. However they are removing organs, so you will feel very bruised and sore internally for a while. As for the cervix removal, yes, I had mine removed too. And sex is no better, no worse without it. I really cant tell any differance, (And neither can my husband.)
_How was the surgery if you have had it? I am told that it is a lot less painful than a vaginal or total hysterectomy. I have heard this as well. The only differance pain wise that you will be having is less insicon pain, since you wont have as large of one. Yours will be quite small. Although, you will still have "swelly belly" for quite some time, and the internal tenderness.
_I'm on a duragesic patch for pain and am worried about post-operative pain following. I have been told that they will put me on a pump. They will control your pain while you are in the hospital. Do not worry about this! If you are still hurting, tell your nurse and they will take care of it.
_My biggest concern is that this will exaserbate my bladder. I have been doing alright lately with it (not great, but livable, if you know what I mean.) Of coarse you are worried about this. It is only normal. And to be honest, it will make it worse at first, and probobly cause you to flare from the surgery. However, you will have GREAT drugs to handle the pain of that, and drs and nurses at your beck and call, wheras now, you are just having to cry and bear it. After I healed from the surgery, my bladder pain was not better or worse. It helped the rest of my abdominal pain, presumably where the endo and adhesions were, but not the bladder pain. However, I was glad to be rid of the rest of the pelvic pain. (Well, except for the IBS, and IC, but at least I got rid of the rest of it!)

-I know a lot of my reservations are probably normal worries, as no one likes to have surgery. But it would be helpful to talk to people who have actually had this done.
Again, I know you are going to worry, no matter what we tell you. You wouldnt be normal if you DIDNT worry, but try to read all you can to help ease your fears. One thing that helped me alot was going to a site called Hystersisters.com They are THE hysterectomy site on the internet. It is kind of like this place, only for hysterectomies. You can ask anything from people who have been there, and also meet others going thru what you are at the same time you are. It is a great place for hyster support. Best of luck to you! It really will be okay! Hugs, Amy


P.S. The most helpful things for me after my hyster were as follows: 1) Ice packs, ice packs, and more ice packs!! 2) I also took my heating pad to the hospital for my back. 3) I used lidocaine on my incsions and that helped alot! Then, I got "The swelly belly band" from HysterSisters. It worked great!
4) Also, when I came home, I had my husband put a cooler by my bed filled with drinks and snacks to keep me from having to get up any more than I had to. 5) Also, I tied a rope to the posts at the end of my bed to help me get up and down when no one was around. 6) I placed a kitchen chair turned backwards beside my bed to use as a bedrail. 7) In the hospital, I had the dr put a sign on my door, NO VISITORS, DR's ORDERS!!, so I could get all the rest I needed, without neighbors, church people, coworkers, etc, coming to "keep me company". (Of course my immediate family and friends knew they could still come.) 8) Walk a little every day, but dont overdo it! 9) Make 2 weeks worth of meals ahead of time and freeze them. Then tape instructions to the outside, so that your family can "cook" dinner. (Just double up whatever you make in the next few weeks.) 10) Go to the library and check out videos and books to occupy you while you are recuperating. 11) Get your hair cut, colored, etc. a few days before you go in the hospital. Because you wont feel like going anywhere or sitting in that chair for at least 3-4 weeks, maybe 6 weeks.

[Cheries]

Thank you so much for your insights!! It is helping me to ease my fears. For some reason I wasn't all that freaked out about it when I was making the decision, but after going to the doctor (and scheduling the surgery..)I am a little more worried! He told me that while they are doing it laproscopically that he would also have to do a cystoscopy (without a hydro)to make sure they didn't "kink" the ureters which can happen. Hmmmm, kind of worried about that. I will have a catheter in following surgery and also be on a pump. I have had my gallbladder out a few years ago and that was quite painful, although it was laproscopic. It took me a good 6 weeks to recouperate.

I am really concerned about whether or not to take my cervics out because there is nothing wrong with it, other than I have some cervical erosion and it is tender during sex. I also get a poker-like pain, in which I feel as if someone is sticking a tampon too high up into me. (How's that for a description??)

I am supposed to possibly have the surgery July 5th, which means I will be spending my 4th doing a "bowel clense", not my idea of a great time. Did you all have to do this?

I did look at the hyster-sister sight and even had someone call me, but they seemed very "anti hysterectomy". I will try again to get on the sight. Thanks so very much for your insights. I have been terrifly worried, but am starting to feel more at ease now.

[ihurttoo]

Thank you so much for your insights!! It is helping me to ease my fears. For some reason I wasn't all that freaked out about it when I was making the decision, but after going to the doctor (and scheduling the surgery..)I am a little more worried! He told me that while they are doing it laproscopically that he would also have to do a cystoscopy (without a hydro)to make sure they didn't "kink" the ureters which can happen. Hmmmm, kind of worried about that. If they are doing the cystoscopy, then the ureters cant kink, so dont worry about that. As for the cystoscopy, you really are going to be sore already, so you wont really know if you are sore from the hyster or the cystoscopy, if that makes any sense. But they will have you on some super, duper pain meds, so they will help to keep you as comfy as possible.I will have a catheter in following surgery and also be on a pump. I have had my gallbladder out a few years ago and that was quite painful, although it was laproscopic. It took me a good 6 weeks to recouperate. As for the cath, I know many people worry about this, but after the surgery, you will be thankful for it, so you wont have to get up and down to go to the bathroom as much. For me, I was mostly fine while I was laying down, medicated, with ice packs on my tummy. The most pain I had was when I was trying to get up from the bed. I would say that you will probobly be the same way. This surgery will be similar pain wise to tyour gallbladder removal. (They rearrange organs during both, and your incisions will be similar.)

I am really concerned about whether or not to take my cervics out because there is nothing wrong with it, other than I have some cervical erosion and it is tender during sex. I also get a poker-like pain, in which I feel as if someone is sticking a tampon too high up into me. (How's that for a description??) I had that same "tampon" feeling, so I know exactly what you are talking about. They did take out my cervix, and there was nothing wrong with mine either. I wasnt really sure why they were taking it either, but my dr felt it was for the best, and I trusted him. Sure enough, I no longer have the "tampon up too high feeling". So, maybe that is why your dr wants to do this too. When in doubt, ask him/her what the advantages/disadvantages are for taking out the cervix, and why they want to do it in your case.

I am supposed to possibly have the surgery July 5th, which means I will be spending my 4th doing a "bowel clense", not my idea of a great time. Did you all have to do this?
Yes, the bowel cleanse is crappy! LOL! Some drs insist on it, while others do not. Mine made me do it too. The rationale is that the bowel should be clean in case it is accidently puntured during surgery, so it wont infect the whole abdominal cavity. (And yes, these things do happen! I have read several stories of it over on the Hyster Sisters site!) So, it is best for them to err on the side of caution.

I did look at the hyster-sister sight and even had someone call me, but they seemed very "anti hysterectomy". I will try again to get on the sight. Thanks so very much for your insights. I have been terrifly worried, but am starting to feel more at ease now.
As for them being "Anti-hysterectomy", yes, there are a few of those on there. But, most everyone on there knows that nobody has this surgery just b/c they WANT to. Women only do this when they HAVE to. So, I think you probobly just got unlucky and happened to run across the few "anti hyster people" in the bunch. Do give them another chance over there. I think you will find that your first experiance was just a fluke, and the rest of them are understanding people who can be very helpful.

Of course, plenty of us over have had them, so if you prefer or feel more comfortable asking us, you are certainly welcome to do so, and we will help you any way we can. I just mentioned that place b/c I found them so helpful when I had mine.

Please feel free to pm me anytime. I will be glad to help you any way I can. Hugs, Amy

[emilyrose197377]

I never did a bowel cleanse when I had my hysterectomy.

[mary124]

I had a laproscopic hyster. for the samething that you're having over 6 years ago. If I recall right, I had a pain pump for the first 24 hours, then after that they gave me vicodin. I kept my cervix. I didn't have much pain after I got home. (In fact, I was up and about the 2nd day I was home, and back to work after 3 weeks.)
Good luck. and take care.:grouphug: