How Do You Prepare Physically For a Hysterectomy? Posted: 03-21-04 13:06pm
I am having a hysterectomy (uterus and
cervix) removed thru the abdomen due to a
huge (canteloupe-sized fibroid). I will
just have an epidural, and no general
anesthesia. That's how I had my
c-sections, so I think I will be able to
handle it.
How can I prepare for the surgery?
Should I be doing special exercises,
taking certain vitamins? Any advice from
veterans will be appreciated.
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2coolkids
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7 Location: north las vegas, nv
Posted: 03-26-04 05:38am
:p hi jesnat
i had my hysterectomy 25 days ago. I had
the scope surgery first, but the fibroid
was too large (the size of a baby's head).
Major surgery followed with a total
hysterectomy.
I was under general with no regrets.
This was my first time for any surgery.
Are you sure you want to hear everything
that is going on? I did ask for pictures
(really cool for me to see where my kids
came from).
I also have the report from pathology.
That is why I wonder if you really want to
hear what is going on. Lots was found
during the surgery, like my bowel was
attached to this growth... Ouch.
Hearing that I would have fainted i'm
sure.
I mentally prepared for as much as I
could. Frozen dinners for a week with
directions attached was by far the best
thing I did. Microwave to the table.
My family than could visit me in hospital
with my kids homework finished before they
came. I asked that friends not come over
to "visit" until I felt up to it. Hard
to do...But they respected my wishes
thankfully.
Vitamins I started six weeks before.
Multi-vitamin, b-12 for stress, and
calcium were my choices. Get done what
is important before surgery, let the rest
sit until you feel you can handle it.
I'm 45 yrs and never did I expect this to
come in my life. I'm thankful for the
surgery and my doctor. I was more than
scared going under, but looked to those
who had knowledge and I put my trust in
them. My scar is shrinking in length and
is healed. I have a patch and will
continue until I change to the vaginal
ring after my six week visit. I feel
like i've never had the surgery today. I
feel very blessed in saying that.
They only thing I would really want you to
know after the surgery. Try to practice
getting out of bed. That was the most
painful part and I did get the dry heaves
from the pain, even with morphine attached
to me and given by a button that I pushed
at my discretion (i.V.). I would have
practiced some!!
I will keep you in my prayers. Take care
of you.
Sincerely,
2coolkids
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jesnat
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Location: maryland
Posted: 03-26-04 10:58am
Thanks, 2coolkids:
im having my surgery 4/20. I'll take
your advice. Thankfully, my 2 kids are
fully grown (i'm 50) so they will probably
be taking care of me. That will be a
nice switch. Glad to know you are doing
so well, it alleviates my concerns a lot
and I appreciate it.
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2coolkids
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7 Location: north las vegas, nv
Posted: 03-27-04 08:46am
:d
glad I could offer you some support.
I'll keep you in my prayers. Take care
of you and glad you have some grown up
kids to be with you.
