Radical Hysterectomy + poss Colon Resection Weds morn!

[LittleMissSunshiner]

Don't know what to expect. Am booked to check in at 07:30 Wednesday. Finally it's happening.

I'll be having abdominal surgery = my uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, taking and tissues scraping from spaces internally, lymph nodes removed, plus probably colon resection as well as maybe bladder stents. All a bit much.

I've been told by consultant to expect minimum 3 or 4 days in hospital if there's no colon resection and longer if there is. My medical solicitor said mustn't let them try to talk me into going home before 4 or 5 days in accordance with the procedures described and longer if colon resection.

So, I've packed a small wheelie case with not much but just enough to get me thru the days and my ipad and noise cancel headphones.

I keep hearing people who've had straightforwards hysterectomy saying they felt fine but don't know anyone who's had the procedure I'm having.

I've got fibroids, adenomyosis, PCOS, suspected ovarian cancer, and scar adhesions binding onto my ureter / colon. I'll be glad to get rid of the constant daily bleeding and horrific pain.

Anyone got any ideas as to what I should expect realistically? How long it takes to recover, like will I be able to stand up and walk in the hospital? Will they give me some sort of support bandage for my tummy? Will they give me plenty of pain meds?

I would imagine you would feel quite like if you have had a C section, when you are first able to mobilise you will want to hunch over, but the quicker you straighten up the better you will be. Make sure you keep on top of the pain, don't be afraid to ask for pain relief before moving around. I would think you may have a catheter in for at least 24 hours, drink as much as you can, take a sports bottle & some squash with you. Once you start eating, get someone to bring you some fruit as the pain relief may cause constipation.

No words of wisdom but wishing you all the best! It does sound daunting but modern medicine is miraculous.

I hope you have minimal discomfort and a great outcome. 💐💐💐

Thank you for above comments. Woken up feeling unexpectedly v anxious today. I have to drink some strange drinks, unsure on what schedule, need to check and have also been instructed not to shower but to wipe self down with strange anti-bac wipes. Not to use any products for 24 hrs bef surgery.

So today is going to be an odd day of just getting through it without having anxiety attacks and remembering to drink the stuff and not put deodorant on!

No specific advice for this surgery but as a rule they aim to get people up and moving about as soon as possible.

When I've had significant pain the medical advice was to take the painkillers to a schedule and not wait for them to wear off before taking the next one.

I hope it all goes well, I'll be thinking of you.

Wishing all
possible luck and success

UPDATE: My surgery got cancelled on the day whilst I was waiting to be taken down into theatre - after I'd be processed and admitted and signed all the consent forms etc.

I wrote another thread about it. I was totally traumatised. They said 'there was no beds' but I'd been booked and confirmed the previous evening.

Anyway now they've rebooked me for 13th.

FFS. Just what you needed.

It was traumatic and put me in tailspin.

Here's the thread I made about it with more detail if anyone's interested. I've decided to go on the 13th but I doubt the surgery will happen then either.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4954817-to-cancel-surgery-i-dont-feel-safe-in-the-nhs?page=7&reply=131205836

I know this thread is old, but i have the same surgery in a couple of weeks, so was wondering if you can share how you felt after surgery and any advice for the post period. i am definitely having sigmoid resection as well as hysterectomy etc.