Hysterectomy. What to take to hospital, how to recover at home ?

[TheDogsMother]

I'm having a hysterectomy next week (and admit I'm pretty scared). I found a really useful thread on here about what to take to hospital eg wipes, bottle of water etc but I can't seem to find it again. Does anyone have any advice on what I should take with me to help feel a bit better when I come round. Also any little changes at home to make recovery a bit easier ? I don't even know if it is even possible to walk upstairs to go to bed ?

Thank you @eenymeenymineymo. I have been paying into a private health plan for years but the NHS date came through first so I took it. Every other patient went through and it was just me left sitting there feeling indescribably hungry 🤣

Good luck @Unex.

That is so miserable. I was told it would be next June.... so went private. Then NHS brought it forward as more urgent than they first thought but I thought it was less likely to get cancelled if I stayed private (and I really felt happy with that surgeon) you've confirmed I made the right decision .

Sorry to hear you've been cancelled. It happened 4 times for me and every time it was the mental side that was hardest having psyched myself up, as well as all the fun of planning for home / work etc etc!

I have remembered that the coagulant injections I had to have for 10 days were pretty painful. Partly as I'm a wimp when it comes to needles but it is known to hurt at the site. It was sore for about 15-20 mins so I just used to stay as still as possible. Some hospitals offer tablets, rather than injections I'm told, so if you can get tablets, I'd recommend it!

I got a phone call about half an hour ago from a private number and I thought here we go. Hi, this is central bookings, is this xyz? Yeeesss?! Don't worry, I'm not phoning to cancel, just to change where you need to go on the day. Phew! She definitely could hear the note of concern in my voice I think.

Good luck @longtompot. Oh wow @ConfusedGin that is dreadful ! I'm feeling bad enough at one cancellation so how you coped with four I just don't know. I'm not sure if I will need those injections. Is that routine ?

Honestly, @TheDogsMother I don't know so sorry if I've just added an unnecessary worry. I wasn't warned about them in advance.

I also had a different type of surgery - open myomectomy for fibroids, so more akin to a c-section. But it was a 10 day course from the day of surgery given to reduce the risk of DVTs when you're not as active as usual. I had 2 in hospital and the remaining course at home.

For balance though, I didn't have any real need for pain relief (paracetamol only) after I left hospital, exactly 48 hours after I arrived. I was moving a fair amount a week after my surgery and walked 1.5 - 2 miles a day from about 10 days after. Slowly, but moving. It took me longer to be able to climb over the side of the bath to have a shower, luckily I had a walk in option available

@ConfusedGin It sounds like you are making great progress. If it went like that for me I would be very happy.

If I need them I'm hoping they can give me tablets instead. As long as they are either easy to take or soluble in water as I struggle taking some tablets.

Back home after having my op yesterday morning. All went well they did it just via keyhole and didn't wake up with the catheter or a drips or drains in.
I had one Fragmin injection, the blood thinner, and don't need to carry on with it at home. In bed had some Velcro on leg things which inflated one leg at a time. All. Night. Long. Take an eye mask and ear plugs if you have them as they were a life saver. Even if I didn't sleep much, it just helped me rest.
Drink as much water as you can as it will really help with weeing. It did sting a bit but got better each time.
I can confirm big pants are very very comfortable if not very attractive, but comfort is paramount. I am also glad I got some lounge trousers as they aren't squashing my stomach, which currently feels like I am 10 months pregnant.
I also didn't have any of the shoulder pains people mentioned can happen. Yet to have a bowel movement but I did have some stomach pains which I think were the intestines settling after being messed about with.
I hope yours goes as smoothly as mine did @TheDogsMother I have to say if I knew how I'd be feeling now, just a day afterwards, I'd have felt much less worried by it all. I had a little cry on the operating table before going off to sleep as I was so nervous.

Aww @longtompot thanks so much for the update. It sounds much less scary than I was imagining so I hope mine goes that way too. I've had a few tears this week but it doesn't help that I previously psyched up only to have to do it again. Best of luck with your recovery and unmumsnetty hugs to you.

Glad all went well @longtompot. Loving that you're loving the big knickers.... 6 weeks on I'm still wearing them as they are SO comfy 😳 (took me 4 days to poo and then was fine just keep up the softeners. Very important) listen to your body now xx

Glad to hear your news @longtompot . All the best.

Second attempt. Here we go again 😮

Naice socks there! Hope you are already in @TheDogsMother

I had an abdominal hysterectomy when I was in my early 30's (over 30 years ago) and was only in hospital 1 night.

Was able to get up the next morning and shower and wash my hair. Walked along the hospital corridor a few times so the Dr could see how I was and then sent home.

Was able to go up and down stairs at home with no problems at all. Did take it relatively easy but certainly did not sit around all day. Went for a walk every day as advised by Dr. Didn't do any heavy housework like hoovering or changing the bed but did do dusting, some cooking etc.

My Consultant told me the quickest way to recovery is to be as active as possible. He said laying in bed or even sitting in a chair for most of the day is not a good idea

Thank you @longtompot. Was first on the list, in recovery at 9.40, back in my room and lunch has arrived !! Still under the influence of quite a lot of painkillers so I don't quite know the reality of it yet

How are you ?

@TheDogsMother Hurrah! It's over!💐🍇

Thank you @ifIwerenotanandroid

That's good to hear @TheDogsMother Hope you managed your lunch ok. Due to a sore throat and jaw I just about managed a mug of soup and some icecream but was much better the next morning and ate some toast.
I am sore but really not as bad as I thought I'd be. I am tired though. As well as lots of water, a small amount of liquid laxative twice a day has really helped. It's quite a relief to know everything is working as it should as that was one of my worries, bladder or bowel damage.
I do have a bit of a numb bum from the hospital bed and from trying to sleep upright, but googling at 2am I read it was ok to sleep on your back, so I did that, but with a v pillow under my knees and resting my ankles on it. Still have the numbness but trying to keep moving, making my own lunch, putting a log on the fire etc, nothing too strenuous.
I am struggling with not coughing and really trying to not sneeze as I feel that would really hurt.

Well I was in at 7.30am and out at 7.30pm and felt achey but not too bad. They took the catheter out before I woke up and there was no packing. So far no shoulder pain and there was little bleeding but a bit more as had been bending a bit too much. I managed to sleep for quite a few hours and thankfully lying on my side. Having transferred to private this time the care was excellent plus the luxury of my own room and loo. The consultant felt confident they had got all the cancerous cells but that will be confirmed soon. Having said this about the private care I am forever grateful to the NHS and their great people for the rapid diagnosis.

It really is true, the waiting is this worst bit. This will get me banished from Mumsnet but thank you all for your support, it's meant such a lot to me ❤️

Glad it's finally done & that it's gone well, @TheDogsMother

So good to read your update @TheDogsMother The only reason I had to stay overnight was due to not being able to have a wee whilst my dh and dd were visiting, as I could have gone home with them. It's such a small thing but it really was a relief not waking up with the catheter or packing in. I wasn't looking forward to them being removed.
I took my dressings off today and they were all clean, if a bit bruised, though my bellybutton one was a bit weepy. I can see something dark but don't know if it's the stitches or dried blood, but I'll leave it for now as I don't want to accidentally pull anything. I have booked my wound check for next week.

@longtompot The advice on everything is so incredibly varied even within the same hospital. I've been told to keep my dressings on for 5-7 days and looking at the notes also not to shower for that long 🤢. DH wrapped my middle in cling film and showered me which I feel better for. Hope your recovery keeps going well.

It's funny isn't it @TheDogsMother I was told by the gyna drs I could remove it the next day, but the nurse who was looking after me removed them and replaced with waterproof dressings, and gave me a handful to use over the next few days. I did feel I was being given conflicting advice the whole time I was in, but have kept in mind what I have read online and the advice given on your thread and also how I am feeling. The showering bit I was told not to let them get too wet, so not have a bath, but water running over them is fine. I didn't do this, but I will next time. Getting the heart monitor sticky stuff off was fun though.
What a lovely dh you have. Bet that was fun, being wrapped up😂

@longtompot After the cling film him seeing me in the giant pants and compression socks. Any shred of dignity I had is long gone. 🤣🤣