Hysterectomy

[Fruitcakes]

I've just had a pre-op for a hysterectomy (no operation date yet) only to be told that it will be a day case, even though it will be full abdominal surgery. When I questioned it the nurse told me it was 'safer' to recover at home. We live in the Yorkshire area.

I was led to believe that I would be in hospital for a couple of days so I am a bit shocked.

My DF died from CDiff at our local hospital after being admitted for pneumonia so I am acutely aware of the danger of infection. My husband will take time off to care for me but I still feel very nervous leaving hospital so soon after a big operation.

What have other people's experiences been?

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Forgot to say I have autistic teenagers at home who still need a lot of emotional and physical support and I have a long term chronic health condition which will impact upon my recovery.

I was in for two nights with my abdominal hysterectomy. I don't think I could have coped with the car ride home before that. For the first 24 hours I was in a lot of pain - it subsided dramatically after that.

I've never heard of anyone not being kept in at least overnight for an abdominal hysterectomy. It's usual to have a catheter in for the first night. Can you query this with your consultant?

I had an abdominal hysterectomy 3 years ago. Due to complications I ended up staying in for a week, but I had it done on BUPA so I don't know how much of a difference that makes.
I was in a lot of pain initially which was managed with morphine and I had a catheter too.
I would try to speak to your consultant, recovery from abdo hysterectomy is slower and you have to be really careful not to cause further damage.

Forgot to add. Normally they won't release you until you can move about relatively easily and have passed your first motion.

I didn't need to poo before I was discharged (fortunately, because it took days for that to happen) but I did need to be weeing normally and able to walk about.

I was only in one night, once I had peed with the catheter out they were happy for me to go.

Thanks everyone for replying.

I will query being released the same day with the consultant. Having Fibromyalgia means I physically recover a lot slower than I used to.

Nobody wants to be in hospital but I am genuinely nervous of being fit to travel home. I hadn't thought about the journey back; we live up a rough farm track .

Take a pillow with you on the journey home and put it between your abdomen and the seat belt. You will feel every bump in the road, but cushioning helps a lot.

It's probably time do with some target they have to reduce admission figures and have more procedures as day case or something. That seems to be the only logical or illogical reason I can think off. Doesn't make sense at all

"to" not "time"

@ScreamingValenta
Thank you for the tip about the pillow. I'll definitely need it where we live.

@feistymumma
You are probably right about the targets. It's crazy though!

I’d feel the same would definately prefer to stay in overnight (I did when I had mine 9 years ago). I’d raise this with the consultant’s secretary ...

@trader21c
I think I'm going to do this. Glad You would feel the same. I was beginning to wonder if I was being a bit of a snowflake!

I've had a couple of surgeries on rectum and have a stapled haemoroidectomy next week with a hysterectomy to follow when rectum has healed.
All done or will be done as day surgery.
I'm half relieved I will be out of MRSA risk (NGH is rife with it) but I do find it nerve wracking.
It's a bit 'paddle your own canoe' I have epidural and as soon as you can pee they move you out.
Luckily I don't have small children, I imagine that will be hard.
Have you a sympathetic sort at home? People assume you can't be that bad if they let you home but they don't realise things are different now it's like a production line.

@TheQueef
I think you are right about it being a bit like a production line. Oh well, it is what it is and I'll just get on with it I suppose. Something doesn't sit right about it though.